Solar energy is effective because it has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and promotes energy security and independence. It has grown to make up almost 5% of our total global electricity generation, making it an effective renewable energy technology.
Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Both are generated through the use of solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land. Is solar power a clean energy source?
In terms of efficiency, solar panels are efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. In addition, solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source, increases the efficiency of the power grid, and generates few waste products. Solar energy boasts a high-efficiency rate per solar panel and is an efficient use of farmland.
Learn solar energy technology basics: solar radiation, photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), grid integration, and soft costs.
The use of solar energy is usually divided into two main areas: solar thermal and solar electricity. The first uses the sun as a direct source of heat energy and is most commonly used for supplying hot water to houses and swimming pool.
Solar energy is the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy either through the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar radiation-concentrating mirrors. The energy produced is then used to generate electricity or can be stored in batteries or thermal storage for use at a later time.