Green (Renewable) Energy Sources: Solar Energy
By admin, June 19, 2009, Energy Efficiency, FAQs, Green, News
Solar Energy is the radiant light and heat that is harnessed from the Sun by humans to be converted into energy. Solar energy is generally converted into electricity in 2 different methods:
- Photovoltaic (PV devices) or Solar Cells – PV devices are most often used at locations that aren't connected to an electric grid. These cells can change sunlight directly into electricity.
- Solar Power Plants – These power plants produce electricity when sunlight heats a liquid (usually water) that then produces steam to turn generators.
Once converted, solar technology is characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute the harnessed sunlight. Active solar techniques include the use of solar thermal collectors to convert sunlight into useful outputs and photovoltaic panels. While passive solar techniques include adjusting a building to the Sun, and selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties.
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