Solar power is what we get when we harness the energy of the sun. We are already using solar power in everyday items such as outside lights. Solar panels are going up everywhere. Satellites use solar energy as a power source; more and more homeowners are choosing to use solar panels to help power their homes. It is reported that doing this actually puts electricity back into the grid - making more electricity available to others while causing the homeowner's gauge to turn backward. In that way, it saves on electric bills and brings other power usage down.
How We Turn Solar Energy into Solar Power
We gather solar energy through the use of photovoltaic tiles - called solar panels. These turn some of the sun’s energy into electricity that we then use to power our homes. The cells in solar panels are 2 oppositely charged slices of silicon (positive and negative) under glass. When protons from sunlight reach the cell, they divide the neutrons from the silicon. The now free negatively charged neutrons are trapped by a magnetic field that forms from the opposing fields. There are small wires on each piece of silicon that catch the neutrons. When connected within a circuit, currents of electricity form. The current is then converted from a direct current into an alternating current. This energy is what we use to power electrical equipment and other items.
The benefits of solar power are:
Solar energy is a renewable source. As long as the sun is in the sky, we have an endless supply of power.
It can be used to heat and light our homes.
It can be used to heat water tanks, spas, and pools.
No chemical reaction = no pollution
Solar power has its drawbacks. For now, we have not found a way to store solar energy.
If we figure out how to do that, we will have an invaluable power source. For now, when the day ends and the sun has gone down, we must turn to traditional power sources. Another drawback is that solar panels cost a good deal of money. If they were more cost-efficient there is no doubt more people and businesses would be using them as a major source of electricity, at least while the sun is up.
