Introduction:

Solar energy is the energy, the Earth receives from the sun, primarily as visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. The solar portal provides an overview of the information on energypedia related to solar energy. Look for specific topics, latest articles, or uploaded documents and announce upcoming events.

The sun is a mind-blowing and renewable asset that has the control to fuel life on soil and give clean, maintainable vitality to all of its occupants. In truth, more vitality from the sun comes to our planet in one hour than is utilized by the whole populace of the world in one year. The sun’s energy can be converted into electricity through solar photovoltaic (PV) modules (photo = light, voltaic = electricity).

THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IS GROWING

The design and installation of PV systems on a large scale enable us to move away from other polluting and unsustainable energy sources.   Since the solar industry is growing, that means that the need for skilled workers is also growing!  

Remote Energy (RE) is a 501 (c)(3) for-impact organization that trains women and men worldwide to harness the power of the sun and develop the technical PV design and installation skills required to bring clean power and positive change to their communities. Technician training programs provide the growing workforce with the practical skills needed to be competent and competitive. Solar educator training programs empower local trainers with curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and the skills needed to meet current, regional training requirements.   

HOW DOES SOLAR ENERGY WORK AND WHY SHOULD WE USE SOLAR ENERGY?

PV modules absorb sunlight and convert the energy into a usable form of electrical current.  The sun shines all over the world, making solar electricity viable anywhere. Because solar can be paired with batteries for energy storage, solar electric systems can be independent of the utility grid, making them cost-effective for remote locations.

Solar energy modules have no moving parts making maintenance costs low, and they are highly reliable with a long service life of 25+ years of guaranteed electricity. Solar electricity relies on the sun as its fuel source, so there is no need to drill for petroleum-based fuels, refine them, or deliver them to the site. As you can see, there are a lot of advantages of solar energy.

THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IS GROWING

The design and installation of PV systems on a large scale enable us to move away from other polluting and unsustainable energy sources.   Since the solar industry is growing, that means that the need for skilled workers is also growing! 

Remote Energy (RE) is a 501 (c)(3) for-impact organization that trains women and men worldwide to harness the power of the sun and develop the technical PV design and installation skills required to bring clean power and positive change to their communities. Technician training programs provide the growing workforce with the practical skills needed to be competent and competitive. Solar educator training programs empower local trainers with curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and the skills needed to meet current, regional training requirements.

How Does Solar Work?

Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

Sunlight is the largest energy source to reach the Earth but, despite this, the intensity of the energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is relatively low due to the radial spreading of solar radiation as it travels from the distant Sun. More of this sunlight is lost in the Earth’s atmosphere due to clouds As a result, the sunlight that reaches the ground is around 50% visible light and 45% infrared radiation with the rest being made up of small amounts of ultraviolet and other types of electromagnetic radiation. Although much of the solar energy is lost as it travels to the surface of the Earth, this energy still equals around 200,000 times the daily total electricity generating capacity of the world. Exploiting this renewable resource can be difficult, however, with collection, conversion, and storage still being quite costly.

When harnessed, solar radiation can be converted into electrical energy with solar panels, for example, or converted into thermal (heat) energy, which is easier to achieve.

Advantages

Solar energy has several inherent advantages:

Renewable: Solar energy is a fully renewable energy resource

No Fuel Costs: There are no fuel costs associated with solar energy, which will save money

Environmentally Friendly: Unlike other energy sources, such as fossil fuels, solar energy doesn’t release any harmful natural gases or hazardous by-products

This means that it is better suited to some parts of the world than others

Cost: Although the costs are reduced, solar energy technology such as solar panels can be expensive to install

Examples and Applications

Solar energy has already found a wealth of applications, whether based upon thermal or electrical energy generation. Or even on more passive uses of the light and heat that reaches the Earth from the Sun each day…

Thermal Energy Applications

Thermal energy has a variety of applications including heating water, cooling or warming buildings. Generating process heat, cooking, water treatment, and molten salt technologies.

Water Heating

Sunlight can be used to heat water using evacuated tube collectors, glazed flat plate collectors, and unglazed plastic collectors. Solar hot water systems are widely deployed in China. And nations such as Israel and Cyprus lead the world in per capita use. While Australia, Canada, and the United States mainly use solar water heating to heat swimming pools.

Cooling, Heating and Ventilation

Solar energy can be used for heating, cooling, and ventilation. Solar heating is divided into active and passive solar concepts according to whether active elements. Like solar concentrating optics or sun tracking are used. Thermal mass, which is any material that can be used to store heat, is also used in arid. Or warm temperate climates to keep buildings cool.  Solar or thermal chimneys can also be used for ventilation. Allowing air to heat up inside to create an updraft that pulls air through a building, creating ventilation. Another passive form of solar heating control involves the planting of deciduous trees. When planted on the southern side of a building in the northern hemisphere or  northern side in the southern hemisphere. 

Conclusion

Humans have harnessed the natural power of the Sun for thousands of years. To optimize crop growth, treat water and provide light and warmth. The energy that reaches the surface of the Earth each day is around 200,000 times the amount of daily electricity. Generating capacity of the world.

Using solar power to generate electricity and solar thermal energy for a range of different applications provides a renewable.