subject: How Does Solar Energy Work-A Simple Guide That Help You Understand [print this page] How Does Solar Energy Work-A Simple Guide That Help You Understand
Many people now days are asking, how does solar energy work? With the green movement, many of us are looking for alternatives to what used to be a live large and don't worry about the cost type of lifestyle. If you are wondering how does solar energy work, this simple to understand guide will help you sound like an expert.
The basics of solar power are fairly simple. The system involves just a few basic parts in order to produce electricity.
The first part of the solar energy system is a device for collecting and concentrating the sun's heat. This is done in one of two different ways typically. The first is through solar panels. The second is through a parabolic solar collector. Both do exactly the same task.
Parabolic solar collectors are more productive in hotter climates such as desert regions of the world. Solar panels work just as well, but are more effective than parabolic solar collectors in other regions of the world where the sun isn't as direct or cloud cover happens more regularly.
Regardless of the method of collecting the sun's heat, the task is the same. You can use solar power to generate heat for your home as well as electricity. These collectors take the heat of the sun and concentrate that heat into water running through pipes. This heat turns the water into steam, and it is the steam that is used to produce electricity. This steam is then moved along to a turbine which is used to generate electricity. As the steam is forced through the turbine, the turbine spins. These turbines are designed so that the amount of flow going into them can be controlled, allowing for the control of energy output.
The mostpopularmethodof using solar energywhen talking about the question "how does solar energy work?" isusing something called photovoltaic cells. These work differently than the other two methods discussed. Instead of concentrating the sun's heat into a liquid, photovoltaic cells are able to convert the suns energy directly into power.
These cells are made from silicone which is known to be a great semiconductor. The silicone is mixed with other minerals which allow for electrons to break free when sunlight hits them. The freeing of electrons leads to the production of electricity. We have all seen these devices in solar powered calculators.
Though these cells are very effective, they are still in their infancy stage.We are at a point where we are able to use these cells to move water, power a home, and other such devices, however, we are not yet able to use them to power entire cities or states.
