For those of you who are looking for what solar power is for your studies or want to learn more about its definitions, technologies, and benefits, Portal Solar has all the information you need. In summary, solar energy is an energy source derived from sunlight, an alternative and sustainable energy source that can be used both for electricity generation (through photovoltaic energy) and for water heating (using solar thermal energy).
What is the definition of solar energy?
Solar energy is an alternative, renewable, and sustainable energy source that uses sunlight as an energy source that can be harnessed and used by different technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaic solar, and solar thermal. The concept of solar energy is often associated with photovoltaic power generation, which uses sunlight as an energy source to generate electricity. Therefore, it can be said that solar energy and photovoltaic panels energy are the same things. In photovoltaic solar, when solar panels capture sunlight, electrical current is converted for use in homes, businesses, and industry.
Features of solar energy
The main features of solar energy are:
- light energy from the sun;
- Be a renewable, alternative, and sustainable energy source;
- Does not generate waste and is considered clean energy;
- Having free energy makes the energy produced cheaper;
- Save up to 95% on electricity bills;
- With a service life of over 20 years and low maintenance requirements.
What is the use of solar energy?
Solar energy is versatile because it uses the sun as an energy source, so it is a clean and harmless way to generate electricity and has a wide variety of uses, with heat and sunlight being one of the most useful sources. and the world’s promising energy sources.
How does the sun function as an energy source?
The sun can be used as an energy source to generate electricity through photovoltaics; to heat liquids with solar thermal energy; in large solar power plants. Photovoltaic energy uses solar panels to capture sunlight and generate electricity, while solar thermal uses the sun as an energy source to heat liquids.
What is the potential of solar energy?
From a human point of view, the energy of the sun is considered inexhaustible. Compared to all other energy sources, the potential of solar energy is extraordinary. The potential of solar energy compared to other energy sources is shown below.
How to use solar energy?
An alternative to how solar energy is used: when used photovoltaically or thermally, electrical and thermal energy are produced respectively. So, take advantage of it by saving on electricity bills or reducing the use of electrical appliances. In this way, you avoid waste and protect the environment. Solar energy can be fully utilized with good distribution and maintenance systems to capture energy, in higher areas of the property where the incidence of solar rays is higher. Learn how to get the most out of your solar energy to avoid significant waste and ensure greater durability for your entire system!
How to use solar energy
There are countless ways to harness solar energy so that we can use it for the development of our country. Therefore, it is possible to explore its energy matrix in a sustainable, renewable, and economical way to:
- Water heating;
- PV;
- Street lighting;
Collective use of the system, such as generating electricity for schools, health clinics, and community centers.
See more: Using Solar Power in Brazil | How to Make Your Own Energy | Solar Glossary | Solar Calculator
Due to climatic characteristics, these practices are mainly found in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, followed by isolated communities of electricity distributors in the northern and northeastern regions.
In addition, it is worth noting that although the solar energy distribution in my country has a relatively high level of sunshine, there are also areas where the sunshine rate is low. However, the energy potential of these areas can also be explored if we only achieve the necessary incentives.
What are the main solar technologies?
There are many ways to use solar energy as a renewable energy source. The main technologies used are solar power, solar heat, and solar heat.
Photovoltaic solar
Photovoltaic energy sunlight harnessing energy from the sun
Photovoltaic energy is the fastest-growing clean energy in the world today and can be directly converted into electricity. It uses semiconductor materials such as crystalline silicon to convert light energy into photovoltaic energy (solar energy).
Photovoltaic energy has been around for over 100 years and today is used to generate electricity for thousands of homes and industries around the world. In order to use it to generate electricity for homes and businesses, photovoltaic cells (pictured to the right) need to be installed inside the solar panel for protection and durability, which in turn will be connected to other panel systems photovoltaic solar.
Photovoltaic solar systems include:
- Solar panels
- Solar inverters
- Solar panel fixing system
- wiring
- Connector
- and other standard electrical materials
Thermal solar
It is an alternative form of energy and technology that uses Hawaii solar incentives energy to generate heat or electricity for industrial and domestic use. Solar thermal was first installed in the Sahara around 1910 when an engine was powered by steam produced by using sunlight to heat water.
Solar energy
This is another way to use the heat generated by the sun to generate electricity. Most of the time, concentrators such as mirrors are used to concentrate energy at a specific point, either at the top of a column or in a vacuum tube, to heat the liquid inside and use that liquid to generate steam and feed. Electric steam turbine. In the photo below, you can see these two solar technologies used to generate clean energy.
