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Solar energy

Solar energy comes from the sun. It reaches the earth through the sun’s rays, or solar radiation. Solar technologies make use of this energy to heat and power appliances here on earth. When converted to thermal energy, solar energy can heat our homes and buildings, as well as water.

We convert solar energy into electricity in two different ways:
• Photovoltaic (PV) methods - The field of photovoltaics uses “solar cells” combined into modules to power PV solar panels. They have been commonly seen powering certain calculators and watches. Sunlight is changed directly into electricity through this method.
• Solar power plants - With this method solar thermal energy is employed to indirectly create electricity. Sunlight heats fluid and produce steam which is then used to generate power.

Special considerations are required for technology used to harness solar energy. The amount of sunlight that hits the earth’s surface is inconsistent. Factors such as location, time of day and year, as well as weather conditions make it unreliable. This unpredictability of where the energy will be means a large surface area is required to collect the light.

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