SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN’S ENERGY INTO

18 3 minutos de lectura

Solar cells convert the energy of the sun into electricity to be used in homes either to save a little money on electric bills or become completely independent of the network.

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN’S ENERGY INTO

Solar is a renewable energy or «green» and comes completely from the sun. But how do photovoltaic solar panels convert sunlight into electricity?

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

1. Photovoltaic solar panels capture sunlight, causing the electrons in the silicon cells to release energy that is converted into electricity in the form of direct current.

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

2. By converting direct current into alternating current through an inverter, it is useful for homes and businesses.

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

3. The excess electricity can be stored in a battery or returned to the public electricity grid.

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

4- You can acquire electricity from the public network if you need more energy than your solar panels can generate ..

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

Type of solar panels

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

Since each solar installation faces various limitations of space and shadow areas, there is no single solution valid for all cases. Trina Solar offers a wide range of solar panels and solutions to meet the different needs of residential, commercial and large-scale projects.

There are two main types of photovoltaic solar panels for these systems: monocrystalline and multicrystalline.

Monocrystalline

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

Solar panels have a high efficiency when it comes to generating electricity from light and are a more efficient solution from a spatial point of view. These durable cells, which enjoy great autonomy and are aesthetically pleasing, are the ideal solution for rooftop installations in homes and small businesses.

Multicrystalline

SOLAR CELLS CONVERT THE SUN'S ENERGY INTO

Solar panels are simpler to produce and offer a versatile and cost-effective option. This type of panels is available in various sizes and colors, and is suitable for both residential and large-scale installations, as well as for applications with or without access to the electricity grid.

Systems to take advantage of solar energy

Regarding the use of solar energy, we can speak of two types of systems: those that convert solar radiation into electricity using photovoltaic technology and those that are used for the production of thermal energy .

The possibility of making a more global use of solar radiation, natural light and the specific climatic conditions of each site in the construction of buildings through what has been called bioclimatic architecture should also be considered.

Photovoltaic solar energy is captured through photovoltaic cells that convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy. This mode of use of solar energy is the most recently developed among the different types of renewable energy.

It has a very broad field of application: from the use in consumer products, such as clocks and calculators, to the electrification of areas without conventional supply, such as isolated houses or agricultural and livestock facilities, through terrestrial and maritime signals, communications or the street lighting.

The direct transformation of solar energy into electricity through photovoltaic conversion has clear advantages, taking into account its simplicity, autonomy, reliability and operability and are related to the high energy quantity of the electricity produced and the absence of environmental impact and noise in the energy process.

In spite of everything, at the moment, the current participation of photovoltaic energy in the European energy balance is still marginal. Its investment cost is currently higher than that of conventional alternatives, but it is experiencing a rapid reduction and it is expected that in the coming years the European market will grow at a rate of between 15 and 25% per year.

Solar thermal energy can be obtained, actively, through specific elements through which circulates a fluid that absorbs the energy radiated from the Sun, or, passively, through a series of applications known as bioclimatism.

In the latter case, its use is related to an aspect that is becoming very popular: the optimization of the design of buildings to reduce as much as possible the additional heating and cooling needs. This application can be very useful in homes, but also in swimming pools, hotels and sports centers.

The use of an active system is mainly oriented to cover part of the thermal needs of a building, such as the production of sanitary hot water and heating. This set of applications is what is called active low-temperature solar energy.

In recent years, solar thermal energy has achieved a degree of maturity that makes it a good option technically and economically. In this sense, the application of solar energy to produce sanitary hot water is one of the possibilities offered by a more attractive profitability. The latest advances and lines of research have focused on the improvement of the materials and elements of control, regulation and monitoring of the operation of the facilities.

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18 3 minutos de lectura