Solar Energy Project

Our solar system’s major renewable energy source is solar energy. Although the phrase commonly refers to the visible light of the sun, it is a type of energy radiated by the sun that includes light, radio waves, and Xrays. As oil prices rise and other energy sources become rare, countries are increasingly looking for safe, long-term power sources. In this scenario, solar energy proves to be a sufficient and usable energy source. Solar energy-based electricity generating is no longer a new concept in the world. Solar electricity, which is pure (pollution-free), silent, unlimited, and free, will play a significant part in the current power civilization in the future.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is solar radiation that can generate heat, induce chemical processes, or generate electricity. If properly tapped, this highly scattered source has the potential to supply all future energy needs. Solar energy, as opposed to finite fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, is expected to grow in popularity as a renewable source in twenty-first century because of its infinite supply and nonpolluting nature.

Solar energy has great potential, as Earth receives about 200,000 times the world’s total daily electric-generating capacity in the form of solar energy every day. However, due to the fact that solar energy is free, the high cost of collecting, converting, and storing it limit its use in many regions. Solar radiation can be turned into thermal energy (heat) or electrical energy, with the former being the more straightforward.

Thermal Energy

Plain collectors, which are used for solar heating applications, are one of the most common devices used to catch solar energy and convert it to thermal energy. Because solar radiation intensity at the Earth’s surface is so low, these collectors must be huge in size. Even in bright portions of the world’s temperate zones, a collector needs a surface size of around 40 square m. (430 square feet) to collect enough energy to meet the needs of one person.

Solar ponds, which are lakes of salt water designed to receive and store solar energy, are another way of thermal energy conversion. The heat recovered from such ponds can be used to heat greenhouses, swimming pools, and cattle facilities, as well as produce chemicals, food, textiles, and other industrial products. The organic Rankine cycle engine, a relatively efficient and cost-effective technique of solar energy conversion that is especially beneficial in isolated regions, is often used to generate electricity using solar ponds. Solar ponds are mainly limited to warm rural locations due to their high installation and maintenance costs.

Electricity Generation

Solar cells may convert solar light directly into electricity (photovoltaic cells). When light meets the junction between a metal and a semiconductor (such as silicon) or the junction between two separate semiconductors in such cells, a small electric potential is created. A single solar cell generates about two watts of power on average. A solar electric plant or a large home array can generate hundreds or even thousands of kilowatts of electric power by connecting a large number of individual cells together, as in solar-panel arrays. Because solar radiation intensity is modest to begin with, big and expensive solar panels are necessary. Most current photovoltaic cells have an energy efficiency of only 15 to 20%.

Applications

Solar energy is used for uses other than those indicated above on a smaller scale. Some countries, for example, use solar energy to evaporate seawater and produce salt. Similarly, solar-powered desalination systems transform salt water into drinking water by converting the Sun’s energy to heat, which is then used to both directly or indirectly fuel the desalination process.

Solar technology has improved towards the clean and sustainable production of hydrogen as an alternative energy source. Artificial leaves, which simulate photosynthesis, are silicon-based devices that divide water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy, leaving nearly no impurities behind. More effort is needed to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these devices for industrial use.

Renewable Energy Project

Renewable energy, sometimes known as clean energy, is produced from natural sources or processes that are regularly restored. Despite the fact that their availability is based on time and weather, sunlight and wind, for example, continue to shine and blow.

Types of renewable energy:

1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Hydro energy
4. Tidal energy
5. Geothermal energy
6. Biomass energy

Uses of solar energy

∎  Solar water heating

∎ Solar heating of buildings

∎ Solar – distillation

∎ Solar electric power generation

∎ Solar Cooking

Conclusion

Our solar system’s major renewable energy source is solar energy. Although the phrase commonly refers to the visible light of the sun, it is a type of energy radiated by the sun that includes light, radio waves, and Xrays. 

Solar energy is solar radiation that can be used to generate heat, chemical reactions, or electricity.

Solar energy has huge potential, as it generates over 200,000 times the world’s total daily electric-generating capacity every day.

One of the most popular devices used to capture solar energy and convert it to thermal energy is plain collectors, which are useful for solar heating applications.

Another method of thermal energy conversion is solar ponds, which are saltwater lakes designed to receive and store solar energy.

Solar cells have the capacity to convert sunlight directly into electricity (photovoltaic cells). A tiny electric potential is formed when light hits the junction between a metal and a semiconductor (such as silicon) or the junction between two different semiconductors in such cells.

Renewable energy, also known as clean energy, is derived from natural sources or processes that are restored on a regular basis.