How Is Solar Energy Gathered

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of ever evolving technologies such as solar heating photovoltaics solar thermal energy solar architecture molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.

How is solar energy gathered.

To generate solar energy the photons radiated from the sun to earth must be collected converted into a usable format and then delivered to an electronic device or the electric grid. One is by direct thermal means the sun s heat is used to heat a liquid heat transfer medium in glass tubes usually the sun s rays are focussed. There are two different ways to gather solar energy. Solar energy radiation from the sun capable of producing heat causing chemical reactions or generating electricity.

The total amount of solar energy incident on earth is vastly in excess of the world s energy requirements and could satisfy all future energy needs if suitably harnessed. In fact the total amount of solar energy that hits earth in just two hours is more than enough to meet current global energy consumption for an entire year. Solar energy sunlight is an abundant clean safe and free resource providing approximately 1 000 watts of power per square meter to earth s surface on a sunny day. Solar energy is gathered by using solar panels to convert the sun s energy into electricity.

Solar energy and people since sunlight only shines for about half of the day in most parts of the world solar energy technologies have to include methods of storing the energy during dark hours. Arrays of photovoltaic cells are normally used to collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. The solar panel is made up of silicon wafers that have wires attached inside to transfer the energy to the location that it is needed. The popularity of solar power has led to the rise of another renewable technology.

Thermal mass systems use paraffin wax or various forms of salt to store the energy in the form of heat. The silicon has electrons in it that when hit by sunlight causes them to become active and create electricity. It is an essential source of renewable energy and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending. Solar panel systems have become one of the fastest growing sources of energy in the united states.