Why not use the nature power for our daily use?

An increasing percentage of alternative fuel is needed to fulfil future energy demands due to factors like rising energy prices, decreasing energy availability and growing environmental concerns etc.
So it is the toughest challenge for mankind to find a sufficient supply of sustainable energy for the future. Possibly, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, biomass etc will play an important role in the global energy economy.

WHY NOT USE THE NATURE POWER FOR OUR DAILY USE?

Our sun is the source of all life on Earth, and solar energy is useful to us in many different ways. The sun creates two main types of energy – light and heat – that we can harness for many activities ranging from photosynthesis in plants to creating electricity with photovoltaic (PV) cells to heating water and food. Solar energy is stored in solar panels and used for several purposes in the form of electrical energy for daily usage.

HOW DOES SOLAR WORK?

Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.

SOLAR ENERGY:-

Solar radiation is light – also known as electromagnetic radiation – that is emitted by the sun. While every location on Earth receives some sunlight over a year, the amount of solar radiation that reaches any one spot on the Earth’s surface varies. Solar technologies capture this radiation and turn it into useful forms of energy.

TWO MAIN TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES:

⦁ PHOTOVOLTAICS BASICS :- A photovoltaic (PV) cell is an energy harvesting  technology, that converts  solar energy into useful  electricity through a process called the  photovoltaic effect. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

There are three main types of Solar PV systems; On-Grid, Off-Grid, and Hybrid. Let us have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of system.
⦁ OFF-GRID SYSTEMS: This system is independent of utility grids (discomms) and stores all the unused additional power in battery banks. It is commonly installed in areas that have frequent power outage or low sunlight. The battery banks provide backup power during such hours.

⦁ On-Grid Systems: This is the most popular Solar PV system mainly installed in residential, industrial and business areas that have regular power supply from the utility grid. Excess energy is sent to the utility grid for which you either get credited to your electricity bill or paid depending on the state laws.

⦁ HYBRID SYSTEMS: This type of system is a combination of both on-grid and off-grid systems where the system is connected to the grid and also has a battery backup. It is installed in areas that cannot depend on their electricity providers and require a backup during inconsistent power cuts.

⦁ CONCENTRATING SOLAR-THERMAL POWER BASICS:– Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat, which can then be used to produce electricity or stored for later use. It is used primarily in very large power plants.

DIFFERENT BENEFITS IN USAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN DAILY LIVES:

Your solar power system will start saving money from the moment it’s turned on these solar systems are best visible in the long-term. The longer you have your solar power system, the more you enjoy the benefits of solar technology and support the environment.

⦁ Solar Heaters
⦁ Generate Electricity
⦁ Charging Batteries
⦁ Cooking
⦁ Solar Transportation
⦁ Solar Ventilation
⦁ Solar Lighting
⦁ Portable Solar etc…
People started to think about the use of solar energy from the latter half of the 19th century. But still, it has not covered the need for our requirement so far. In near future, it will definitely replace the non-renewable sources.