Using Photovoltaic (PV) Cells to Create Electricity – An Overview
Solar Power has been an important option for a long time now. We all know how dangerous the current energy crisis is and the need to switch to more eco-friendly sources of energy. Now that many countries are taking such initiatives it is important that we, too, make a choice and switch to solar energy for our homes. South Africa has one of the best climates in the world and it offers sunny weather and a lot of sunlight throughout the year, this has made it an ideal location for solar power.
Solar power is heat and radiant light from the Sun, which is harnessed by a wide range of modern technology including photovoltaic solar energy systems, solar hot water systems, solar thermal power plants, solar architecture and artificial photosynthetic energy. Solar panels can be constructed easily and are cheap to maintain making them an excellent renewable and clean energy source. Some countries such as Germany have put thousands of solar panels on rooftops and have seen a large decline in their electricity prices.
Photovoltaic solar power is one of the fastest-growing green technologies today. With the right installation, you can create your solar power. These types of systems work by absorbing the sun's rays and transforming them into electricity. The technology is called solar energy because it captures the heat of the sun and converts it to electricity, this is one of the many alternative energy sources which is clean and renewable.
Heat energy is also captured by solar power. The sun is constantly producing heat in all its different wavelengths and capturing this heat can help us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It is the same principle that applies to solar power, but this type of technology uses the heat energy of the sun to produce an electric current. Heat energy is particularly useful for heating water. Most systems are designed to run in the direction of the sun.
Wind-generated solar power is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative energy source. It works best in large locations where there is plenty of wind and the generated power can be stored. The drawback with this type of renewable energy is that it cannot be used everywhere. The sun's heat is not evenly distributed and only reaches areas of high humidity. If the wind is too strong it can blow away the stored energy.
Solar PV cells are photovoltaic panels. This is the actual device that creates electricity from the sun's rays. PV cells are made from semiconductors like silicon and diodes. They catch the sun's rays, convert them into direct current, and then store this energy so that it can be used to power household appliances.
