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Solar Electricity – Clean and Abundant Electricity for the Future. Learn about technological discoveries and advances of using solar power for electricity
Solar Electricity- Everything from a pocket calculator, to a car, to your home can be powered by photovoltaics or solar electricity. It has been around for over fifty years. Only in the past decade has interest in this renewable form of power surged. With costs of traditional fuels rising, and with harmful emissions to our planet, solar energy can provide a solution to massive energy problems.
While strive for clean, cheap, and abundant it has not been reached for all, there is still a huge availability for millions of people worldwide. The good news is that many people are beginning to investigate and implement the use of solar energy in their homes and commercial buildings.
In larger solar power systems, solar energy is captured by photovoltaic modules. These PV modules generate direct current electricity. The direct current power generated by photovoltaics must then be converted into alternating current in order to use it in homes and businesses. This conversion occurs by using an inverter.
A solar cell is the smallest element that converts sunlight into electrical energy. Each cell is made of silicon. These cells generate an electrical flow when light shines on it. Solar modules are a series of solar cells wired together.
The keys to an efficient solar power system for the home are the location, the size of the modules, and the placement of the solar panels. Normally solar panels are placed atop the roof. The optimum placement is a site located within 40 degrees of south with an ideal pitch placement of 30 degrees. Note this is the optimum placement. Other locations will produce solar power, but there may be a reduction in efficiency.
Here is a summary of how solar electricity is created and used. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Wire conducts electricity to batteries. The batteries store electricity until it'is needed.
As research and technology advances, the costs of installing solar systems will decrease. The availability for clean, affordable, and abundant energy looks bright.
Learn about solar energy myths in here
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