Solar Energy Is Used To Generate Electricity

Solar radiation may be converted directly into electricity by solar cells photovoltaic cells.

Solar energy is used to generate electricity.

Photovoltaic pv and solar thermal power are the two main types of solar electricity generation technologies. The solar energy generated by the pv array is direct current dc electricity which cannot be used by many electronic devices or returned to the electrical grid because they use alternating current ac power. As the technology for solar cells gets better and better this form of clean renewable energy will find more applications that take up less space and produce more electricity to meet the energy needs of our homes schools and businesses. Many solar panels use silicon one of the planet s most common elements.

As of 2011 the technology produced less than one tenth of one percent of global energy demand. However the amount of power generated by a solar energy system at a particular site depends on how much of the sun s energy reaches it and the size of the system itself. So how do solar panels actually generate electricity. In such cells a small electric voltage is generated when light strikes the junction between a metal and a semiconductor such as silicon or the junction between two different semiconductors.

Pv conversion produces electricity directly from sunlight in a photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect. To find out how solar panels work you need to understand how they re made. A turbine converts the potential and kinetic energy of a moving fluid liquid or gas to mechanical energy.

Solar energy solar energy electricity generation. Solar energy is a renewable energy resource that is more affordable now than ever before and is used to produce electricity for a wide variety of residential and commercial uses. Solar energy is one of the most affordable renewable energy sources available today. Also solar arrays do not generate a consistent amount of power because of variations in the amount of light hitting the pv cells.

Electricity generation is from electric power plants that use a turbine or similar machine to drive electricity generators. Pondering upon how to use solar energy to generate electricity. In a turbine generator a moving fluid such as water steam combustion gases or air pushes a series of blades mounted on a shaft which rotates. Here s the process demystified.

Solar energy provided about 2 of total u s. Read right ahead to get to the details. Because pv technologies use both direct and scattered sunlight to create electricity the solar resource across the united states is ample for home solar electric systems. Most solar thermal power systems use steam turbines to generate electricity.