Why solar energy is so important to us
Solar Energy is a vitally important energy source that will help to reduce the damage we are inflicting on planet Earth. Here are a few interesting facts to explain why solar energy is so important to us. The first Solar PV Electricity systems Solar PV systems were introduced in the sixties – and some are still in place today, generating electricity. They are a proven and reliable technology which offer great financial rewards as well as environmental benefits. Solar energy output The energy output of a 1 KW solar energy unit is roughly equivalent to the burning of 170 pounds of coal and 300 pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. The power to create light Solar energy is measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts. 1 kilowatt = the amount of electricity required to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours. A Solar PV system will produce a substantial amount of energy for your home or building - for lighting and power. |
The Greenhouse Effect
For thousands of years, naturally ocurring ‘Greenhouse gases’ in our atmosphere have maintained the Earth’s surface temperature - at approximately 15ºc. The reason it’s called ‘Greenhouse’ is because these gases, which include Carbon Dioxide (CO2), have covered the Earth, preventing heat from escaping into space. However, since the industrial revolution the additional carbon dioxide that has been pumped into our atmosphere has increased global warming and adversely effected our weather. 5 billion years to go In 5 billion years, the sun will run out of fuel. Until then, we can benefit from FREE electricity and FREE hot water. It'll help us to cut down our reliance on fossil fuels and help to reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide we produce. |
Photovoltaics'
Photovoltaic' is a marriage of two words: 'photo', meaning light, and 'voltaic', meaning electricity. Photovoltaic technology, the term used to describe the hardware that converts solar energy into usable power, generates electricity from light.
At the heart of photovoltaic (PV) technology is a semi-conductor material which can be adapted to release electrons, the negatively charged particles that form the basis of electricity. The most common semi-conductor material used in photovoltaic cells is silicon, an element most commonly found in sand. There is no limitation to its availability as a raw material; silicon is the second most abundant material in the earth's mass.
All PV cells have two layers of semi-conductors, one positively charged and one negatively charged. When light shines on the semi-conductor, the electric field across the junction between these two layers causes electricity to flow, generating DC (direct current). The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.
A photovoltaic system therefore does not need bright sunlight in order to operate. It can also generate electricity on cloudy days. Due to the reflection of sunlight, days with slight cloud can even result in higher energy yields than days with a completely cloudless sky.
Photovoltaic' is a marriage of two words: 'photo', meaning light, and 'voltaic', meaning electricity. Photovoltaic technology, the term used to describe the hardware that converts solar energy into usable power, generates electricity from light.
At the heart of photovoltaic (PV) technology is a semi-conductor material which can be adapted to release electrons, the negatively charged particles that form the basis of electricity. The most common semi-conductor material used in photovoltaic cells is silicon, an element most commonly found in sand. There is no limitation to its availability as a raw material; silicon is the second most abundant material in the earth's mass.
All PV cells have two layers of semi-conductors, one positively charged and one negatively charged. When light shines on the semi-conductor, the electric field across the junction between these two layers causes electricity to flow, generating DC (direct current). The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.
A photovoltaic system therefore does not need bright sunlight in order to operate. It can also generate electricity on cloudy days. Due to the reflection of sunlight, days with slight cloud can even result in higher energy yields than days with a completely cloudless sky.