subject: Photovoltaics And Their Function In The Advancement Of Renewable Energy [print this page] Photovoltaics And Their Function In The Advancement Of Renewable Energy
Solar energy is one of the most available types of renewable energy. In order to use solar energy, radiation from the sun must be converted into electric power using photovoltaic cells. The process that makes this conversion is known as the photovoltaic effect. The following will discuss photovoltaics and the development of solar panels.
You can characterize solar technology by how it can be captured. It is captured in one of two ways, either passively without the use of any electrical or mechanical device like a solarium. It is also captured actively which would use some type of electrical or mechanical equipment for assistance. A photovoltaic cell can be used either way.
The photovoltaic effect is best described as a material being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. Voltage is created with the charged material. Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel was the first to notice this effect in 1839.
The amount of energy that the sun provides in one year actually doubles the amount of non-renewable resources put together on the earth that are available. Depending on where a country is located, the levels of solar energy collection can be different. More solar energy can be collected the nearer to the equator one is located.
Spacecraft and orbiting satellites were the first to use the photovoltaic cell. The cells are now used for many things including power. A cell module or a solar cell can produce a direct current, and to be used for residential and commercial use, it then needs to be converted to alternating current.
Photovoltaic cells or solar panels were expensive to install, but now, with new government incentive programs from various governments worldwide things have changed. Use of solar energy is being widely encouraged. The most recent events have shown that we need to be using solar power now more than we ever have before. Solar panels have also decreased in price just over a period of time in the past few years.
Photovoltaic cells were initially used as power for devices like personal calculators, and other types of personal gadgets, but there is now testing for solar roadways. In existence at present are solar parking meters, street lights, emergency phones, and power stations in parts of the world. As the need for renewable energy grows, photovoltaic use will increase in the number of items that are seen every day.
