Solar Energy PDF
Solar Energy PDF
Solar Energy PDF
00:00
Thermal Energy
Among the most common devices used to capture solar energy and
convert it to thermal energy are flat-plate collectors, which are used
for solar heating applications. Because the intensity of solar
radiation at Earth’s surface is so low, these collectors must be large
in area. Even in sunny parts of the world’s temperate regions, for
instance, a collector must have a surface area of about 40 square
metres (430 square feet) to gather enough energy to serve the
energy needs of one person.
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Solar energy
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Electricity Generation
Solar radiation may be converted directly into electricity by solar
cells (photovoltaic cells). 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. (See photovoltaic effect.) The power
generated by a single photovoltaic cell is typically only about
two watts. By connecting large numbers of individual cells together,
however, as in solar-panel arrays, hundreds or even thousands of
kilowatts of electric power can be generated in a solar electric plant
or in a large household array. The energy efficiency of most present-
day photovoltaic cells is only about 15 to 20 percent, and, since the
intensity of solar radiation is low to begin with, large and costly
assemblies of such cells are required to produce even moderate
amounts of power.
Other Applications
solar-powered wingsArtificial wings powered by solar energy.©
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Solar energy is also used on a small scale for purposes other than
those described above. In some countries, for instance, solar energy
is used to produce salt from seawater by evaporation. Similarly,
solar-powered desalination units transform salt water into drinking
water by converting the Sun’s energy to heat, directly or indirectly,
to drive the desalination process.
Solar technology has also emerged for the clean and renewable
production of hydrogen as an alternative energy source. Mimicking
the process of photosynthesis, artificial leaves are silicon-based
devices that use solar energy to split water into hydrogen
and oxygen, leaving virtually no pollutants. Further work is needed
to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these devices for
industrial use.