Solar Energy
Have you ever experienced hot weather? Have you ever felt unbearable hotness? Well this is global warming. Global warming is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system, an aspect of climate change shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects of the warming.
The system of energy we have at this moment, fossil fuels, is not easily renewed because they take a very long time to form and we use them each time more. Instead, solar energy doesn’t really need to be renewed because as long as the sun continues shining there will always be energy.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy is the energy that is captured from the sun. Solar Energy is used for capturing sunlight to create photovoltaic power (PV) or concentrated solar power (CSP) for solar heating. This energy conversion allows solar energy to be used to power automobiles, lights, pools, heaters, and gadgets.
However, solar Energy stops working when there is no more sun, but there is an expensive way that could store the energy for night use. The lithium battery would store the energy and would be easily charged for night use. The energy in the solar panels travels throughout the semi-conductors that are in the solar panel, and with the flow of electrons, the energy would be produced.
The solar panels are comprised of many small photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic meaning they can convert sunlight into electricity. These cells are made of semi-conductive materials, most often silicon, a material that can conduct electricity while maintaining the electrical imbalance needed to create an electric field.
Solar energy capacity has increased each more in the past five years, yet fabricating the panels can affect the environment in a bad way. Panels require destructive chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid. The process of manufacturing panels uses water and electricity at the same time creating waste. These problems can weaken solar’s ability to fight climate change and reduce environmental toxins.
Process
- Sunlight hits the solar panels and creates an electric field.
- The electricity generated flows to the edge of the panel, and into a conductive wire.
- The conductive wire brings the electricity to the inverter, where it is transformed from DC electricity to AC, which is used to power buildings.
- Another wire transports the AC electricity from the inverter to the electric panel on the property (also called a breaker box), which distributes the electricity throughout the building as needed.
- Any electricity not needed upon generation flows through the utility meter and into the utility electrical grid. As the electricity flows through the meter, it causes the meter to run backward, crediting your property for excess generation.