WHAT IS THE SOLAR
ENERGY?
The
solar energy is obtained from the sun`s energy. Solar
radiation that reaches the earth has been exploited by humans since ancient times, using
different technologies that have been evolving with time from conception. Currently, heat and sunlight can be harnessed
by sensors.
It is a so-called renewable
energy or clean energy, which can make considerable contributions to solving
some of the most pressing problems of humanity.
The different solar technologies are classified into passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active technologies include the use of photovoltaic panels and thermal collectors to collect energy. Between the passive techniques, different techniques are framed in bioclimatic architecture: the orientation of buildings to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or having properties for light dispersion and space design by ventilation naturally.
The different solar technologies are classified into passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active technologies include the use of photovoltaic panels and thermal collectors to collect energy. Between the passive techniques, different techniques are framed in bioclimatic architecture: the orientation of buildings to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or having properties for light dispersion and space design by ventilation naturally.
The solar energy source is currently developed solar
photovoltaic energy. According to
reports by Greenpeace, solar photovoltaics could supply electricity to two
thirds of the world population in 2030.
The
earth receives solar radiation and about 30% is reflected back to space while
the rest is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses.
The power of the radiation varies with the time of
day.The Radiation is usable in direct and diffuse components, or the total of
both. Direct radiation is the focus that comes directly from the sun, without
intermediate reflections or refractions.
The radiation absorbed by the
oceans, clouds, air and land masses of these temperature increases. The heated
air is containing evaporated water that rises from the ocean. When the air rises to the
higher layers where the temperature is low, its temperature decreases until the
water vapor condenses into clouds. The solar energy absorbed by the oceans and
land masses keeps the surface at 14 ° C. For green plant photosynthesis
converts solar energy into chemical energy, which produces food, wood and
biomass.
Solar energy is important for
life without sunlight would not be possible plant life and animals. Its
infrastructure is expensive but less polluting than other energy systems.
In Spain, in every square meter of soil affect 1,500 kilowatt hours of energy per year. This energy can be used directly or be converted into other useful forms, for example, electricity.
While solar energy is produced with solar panels, no noise, do not emit harmful emissions or polluting gases with solar forget to pollute the air, water, cause acid rain.
Using the sun as fuel contributes actively to reduce global warming.
Types of energy´s sun:
A)Photovoltaic energy:
·
Converted sunlight into
electricity.
·
Easy: Heat storage} eficient method
·
Difficult: Storing electricity
B) Thermal energy:
·
Converted light from the
sun in heat energy} electricity
·
There are different
engynes} Gas turbines or steam engine
·
1 bad thing ->They
need some place
2 important countries →
Australia and Spain: There are sunny coun
SOLAR PANELS
Solar panels
operate in the following manner: the solar rays impacting on the surface of the
panel is penetrated and being absorbed by the semiconductor materials such as
silicon or gallium arsenide.
These panels
are modules that use the energy from sunlight. These modules comprise of solar
collectors are used to produce hot water and photovoltaic panels used to
generate energy. Photovoltaics are composed of many cells that convert light
into electricity, these cells are sometimes called photovoltaic cells, which
means "light-electricity" and depend on the photovoltaic effect to
transform the sun's energy and cause a current to pass through two plates with
opposite electrical charges. The standard parameter to measure is called peak
power output. When exposed to sunlight, a cell Silicon 6 centimeters in
diameter can produce a current of about 0.5 amps at 0.5 volts.
And the
solar collectors have a receiver plate and tubes for circulating the liquid
adhered thereto. The receiver ensures that the solar radiation is transformed
into heat, while the liquid flowing through the pipes transports heat to where
it can be used or stored.
Crystalline Solar Panels
These traditional solar panels can be either monocrystalline or polysilicon.
Monocrystalline
panels are made from a large, single silicon crystal and have a patchwork
pattern. Polysilicon panels are made of lots of tiny silicon crystals and have
a geometric pattern. While monocrystalline panels are more efficient than
polysilicon ones, they are also more expensive. The efficiency of crystalline
panels range from 12% to 20%, and they are almost always the best choice for a
home solar system.
Thin Film Solar Panels
Amorphous
photovoltaics, or thin film silicon panels cost much less to produce, but they
are also much less efficient. The silicon in thin film panels is printed on a
flexible backing material. The efficiency of thin film panels ranges between 6%
and 10%. Thin film panels take twice as much space to make the same amount of
energy as crystalline panels.
Note: 'Thin
film' is a catch-all phrase and some thin film solar panels aren't silicon
based. Some use other semiconductors such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper
indium gallium diselenide (CIGS).
BIPV Solar Panels (Solar Roof
Shingles)
A further
innovation on thin film solar panels is Building Integrated Photovoltaics
(BIPV). BIPVs are small thin film solar panels that are the same size and shape
as roofing shingles, allowing them to be seamlessly integrated with the other
shingles on your roof. BIPV panels are more expensive and somewhat less
efficient than traditional solar panels, but many consumers consider them to be
the best-looking option on the market. Sunrun certified installer Petersen Dean
is an expert in integrated solar tiles.
Many
companies are researching alternatives to solar panels or photovoltaic panels,
but it will be a long time before these technologies are available, tested and
commercially viable to be a good option for your home. Don't wait. Request a
free solar consultation with Sunrun
today.
TYPES OF SOLAR POWER STATIONS
Photovoltaic centrals
The performance of a photovoltaic plant can be summarised as follows:
The basic element of a photovoltaic plant is the set of photovoltaic
cells that capture solar energy, transforming it into direct electric current
using the photoelectric effect. They are, first, in modules and then (1)
photovoltaic panels are formed with them.Logically, the production of
electricity of these cells depends on meteorological conditions at every
moment, - mainly of insolation-. These conditions are measured and analyzed
with the help of a meteorological Tower (2).
As the electrical energy that circulates through the transport network
in the form of alternating current, DC power generated from the solar panels
should be transformed to AC power. It is led, then, first to a wardrobe of DC
(4), to be converted into alternating current by an inverter (5) and be finally
transported to a wardrobe of alternating current (6).
Subsequently, the produced electrical energy goes through a transformation
(7) Center which adapts to the conditions of current and voltage of the lines
of transportation (8) for use in the consumption centers.
The functioning of all teams from central is monitored from the control
(3) room, in which different installation systems information is received:
meteorological Tower, inverter, cabinets of AC and DC, transformation, etc.
Solar thermal power plant
A solar thermal power plant is a
facility that allows the use of the energy from the Sun to produce electricity.
It has a thermal cycle similar to the conventional thermoelectric plants: the
heat energy that occurs in a particular focus is transformed into mechanical
using a turbine energy and, subsequently, into electrical energy by means of an
alternator.
The only difference is that while in conventional thermoelectric heat
focus is achieved through the combustion of a fossil energy source (coal, gas,
fuel oil), in the solar, heat focus is obtained by the action of solar
radiation falling on a fluid.
The scheme of operation of a solar thermal power plant of the central
tower type would be:
A plant of this type, consists of a field of heliostats (1) or directional
mirrors of large dimensions, which reflect the light of the Sun and concentrate
the beams reflected in a boiler (2) located on a Tower (3) high altitude.
In the boiler, the calorific contribution of reflected solar radiation
is absorbed by one thermal fluid (molten salt, water, or other). The fluid is
driven to a steam generator (5), where transfers its heat to a second fluid,
usually water, which is thus converted into steam. From this moment the plant
operation is analogous to a conventional thermal power plant. Therefore, this
steam is driven to a turbine (6) where the energy of the steam is converted
into Rotary mechanical energy that enables the generator (7) to produce
electricity. The fluid is then liquefied in a condenser (8) to repeat the cycle.
As the production of a solar plant depends largely on hours of sunshine,
to increase and stabilize production, often have systems of energy storage or
support systems (4) intercalated in the heating circuit.
The energy produced, after being elevated its voltage transformers (9),
is transported by power transport lines (10) to the general network of the
system.
COST
-
Started
with high value
-
After
cheaper
-
Greenpeace
new value
-
2011
under Nuclear Energy
-
Use
like home energy
-
Lots
of people will use
ADVANTAGES
1. Sunlight
can be transformed in other tings like electricity
2.
Photovoltaic panels can be installed quickly, it´s not a slow process
3.
Environmental impact minimal
4. Don´t
produce pollution
5. Silent
process it doesn´t make any noise
6. They
don´t need fosil fuell like oil or natural gas
DISADVANTAGES
1. Inicial
cost (high), it´s expensive
2. It works
during the morning, also at the hours where there is not sunlight but it
doesn´t work with the same intensity
3. The
weather should be good, if it´s cloudy is like if there is not sun
5. Made of
toxic material
ENVIRONMENT IMPACT
Solar PV, like other renewables, is, compared to fossil fuels, a
powerhouse, contributes to energy self-sufficiency and is less harmful to the
environment, avoiding the effects of direct use (air pollution, waste, etc.)
and the derivatives of his generation (excavations, mines, quarries, etc.).
The effects of the solar energy
in the major environmental factor are
·
Climate: the generation of electrical energy directly from sunlight does not
require any kind of combustion, so that there are no thermal pollution and CO2
emissions that promote global warming.
·
Geology: Photovoltaic cells are made of silicon which can be obtained from sand,
very abundant in nature and not require significant amounts. Therefore, in the
manufacture of photovoltaic panels no changes occur in the lithology, terrain
topography or structure.
·
Ground: There isn´t any danger of pollution so the ground stays the same.
·
Surface water and groundwater: There is no change of aquifers or surface water or by
consumption or by waste pollution or spills.
·
Flora and fauna: the impact on the vegetation is zero, and, by
eliminating power lines, avoiding the potential adverse effects on birds.
·
Landscape: solar panels are easy to integrate in different types
of structures.
·
Noise: the photovoltaic system is absolutely silent, which is a clear
advantage over wind turbines.
·
Social media: The floor needed to install a photovoltaic system of
average size, not a significant amount to produce a serious impact.
Furthermore, most of the cases can be integrated into the roofs of the houses.
Moreover, solar PV represents the
best solution for those places that you want to provide electricity preserving
environmental conditions, and as is the case for example of Protected Natural
Areas. Also it doesn´t pollute the air or water and their production it´s very
easy.
