Solar energy is radiant heat and light coming from the sun that is utilized directly or indirectly using the range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy and solar architecture. It is one of the essential source of renewable and green energy and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar and active solar depending upon method to capture and distribute solar energy and convert it into solar power.
Active solar technologies means photovoltaic system, concentrated solar power and solar water heating to harness the energy. Passive solar technologies means orienting a building to the sun, selecting the materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties and designing spaces that naturally circulates air.
The total amount of solar energy incident on earth is vastly in excess of world’s current and anticipated energy requirements. It has potential to satisfy all future energy needs. Amount of energy coming from the sun falls on the earth in one hour is more than that is used by everyone in the world in one year.
Uses of solar Energy
Once the sunlight passes through the earth’s atmosphere, most of it is in the form of visible light and infrared radiation. Plants use it to convert into sugar and starches. This conversion process is known as photosynthesis.
Businesses and industry use solar technologies to diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save money. Energy developers utilities the use solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies to produce electricity on a massive scale to power cities and small towns. satellites and spacecrafts orbiting Earth are powered by the solar energy.
How solar Energy is created in the sun?
Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun. Fusion occurs when protons of hydrogen atoms collide in the sun’s core and fuse to create a helium atom. This process is known as a PP (proton-proton) chain reaction and emits an huge amount of energy in the form of heat and light. The sun fuses about 620 million metric tons of hydrogen every second in its core.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy
Some advantages of solar energy has been listed below.
- Free source of Energy
- Clean source of Energy
- Renewable Source of Energy
- Reliable Source of Energy
- Reduction in Utility cost
Some disadvantage of solar energy has been listed below.
- Low production during winter and on cloudy or rainy days
- Initial installation cost is high as materials or equipment are expensive
- Space consumption is more
Conclusion
Hope, you have clearly understand about the solar energy, it’s usage, advantage and disadvantage and how it is created in the sun. Make sure to leave your opinion and suggestion about this post in the comment section below