Answering The Question, How Does Solar Energy Work?
How does solar energy work? You've probably noticed solar energy panels everywhere these days. You can see them on the rooftops of small houses, large houses, apartment buildings and office buildings. Buildings in remote locations are powered exclusively by solar energy, so they have a large solar panel system. You might have seen solar-powered highway signs, out in the middle of nowhere; just a solar panel on top of a traffic light. It makes you wonder, doesn't it: how does solar energy actually work?
How Does Solar Thermal Energy Work?
Solar thermal energy transfers heat directly from the sun to heat air or water for residential or commercial use. Large, flat panels that collect solar heat are installed in positions located so as to maximize the absorption of the sun's rays. Water-filled tubes below the surface of the panels act as solar thermal collectors, storing the heat in the water. The hot water is stored in holding tanks and is used just as residents use water from a hot water tank.
Some homes also use a radiant heating system where the interior of the home is heated by a system of hot water-filled tubes installed under the floor. Radiant heat is especially popular in homes with ceramic tile or stone floors, because the radiant heat warms the floor on cold days.
How Does Photovoltaic Solar Energy Work?
In contrast to solar thermal energy, photovoltaic solar energy actually converts solar power in electrical power. Photovoltaic systems also use collector panels that are usually placed on rooftops. Panels can be moved and connected to form an elaborate network of solar cells.
The panels are usually made of silicon or silicon-based materials that maximize the absorption of sunlight. Because photovoltaic collectors convert the light of the sun, not the heat of the sun, into electricity, the panels keep collecting energy all the way through winter, as long as the sun keeps shining.
Absorption of sunlight generates electricity in the solar panels, and the electricity travels to a transformer, where it is converted to AC, or alternating current, power of 120 volts, which is the common electrical current used for residential purposes.
Homeowners aren't always at home using AC power, so the power generated by photovoltaic solar energy is usually stored in a series of batteries. A solar-powered house is a battery-powered house, because lamps, appliances and other electronics that are plugged into the electrical outlets in the house are powered by the batteries, which in turn are powered by the solar panels, which are powered by the sun.
How does solar energy work? It's not such a mystery now, is it? Now that you know, why not give it a try at your home.
