How much do we know about solar energy? It is true that we hear the term a lot these days as nations search for new ways to get off of fossil fuels. But it is also true that for many of us the term solar energy is somewhat vague. Most of us can figure out that it is some kind of energy that comes from the Sun but that is about the extent of our knowledge. This article looks into some of the very basic elements of solar energy.
One particular word that you will hear often in terms of solar energy for the home is photovoltaic. If you break this word down, you get photo which means light and voltaic which means electric. When we talk about home solar energy we often talk about photovoltaic cells, and this is a term you should become familiar with as well.
Photovoltaic cells are those black squares that make up a solar panel. Most of us have seen these before. They can be virtually any size at all these days, from very small to large enough to install on rooftops. These PV cells are quickly becoming more efficient and less expensive. This is due to vast improvements in the way the cells are being designed. Newer PV cells allow the sunlight that hits them to be concentrated or focused on a pinpoint area of the cell. This greatly increases the amount of power that the cell can generate.
As mentioned above, the size of solar energy cells is decreasing at the same time that the efficiency ratings are rising. This means that solar energy cells are becoming cheaper to produce. And all of these factors added together means that PV cells are quickly becoming a viable option for home energy.
Besides advances in solar energy cell technology and lower costs to consumers for these devices, another very important benefit to solar energy is its cleanliness. Solar energy produces electricity; the same type of electricity that your local power plant produces. The difference is that solar energy is clean energy. It does not require any fossil fuels to be burned in its production. It does not produce any toxic gases or fumes, either in its production or in its consumption and it is unlimited—in the sense that as long as the sun is above and the device is working, it will produce energy.
One of the most common ways that solar energy is being used in homes is through solar panels that have been installed on rooftops. These panels are installed so that they get the most direct exposure to the Sun. These solar panels can be used to heat the home, generate electricity for the home, and even heat the water.
A brand new technology has just immerged that allows carbon cells to actually store the energy now, much like a battery does. Another advance is that solar panels will now absorb energy even if the Sun is behind clouds.
If you think you might be interested in installing solar energy at your home, contact a reputable contractor who knows the business. He or she can show you how you can save money on energy bills and help keep the planet clean at the same time.
