Solar energy is a renewable resource that can be generated for a variety of uses. Not only does it generate electricity, it also can heat homes and businesses in winter. It is also a great way to produce hot water. Solar panels are becoming increasingly common, and they can even be used to power large power stations.

Passive solar energy

Passive solar energy production is a form of renewable energy that uses the sun’s energy to heat and cool a space. It is primarily used for space heating and cooling. Generally, passive solar buildings are constructed with windows facing south. These windows are not shaded during the heating season and should have a large glass area. Passive solar buildings also incorporate thermal mass to retain heat. This material can be made from concrete, brick, stone, or tile. It absorbs the sun’s heat, which is then transferred to the interior space by conduction, convection, and radiation.

There are two basic types of solar energy production: passive solar and active solar. Passive solar is the passive form of solar energy production, while active solar is a more active form that uses growing technological innovations. Active solar technology was first developed in the mid-1950s at Bell Laboratories in the United States. Initially, it was limited to powering satellites in space, but the 1973 oil crisis prompted a rapid expansion of this technology into the private sector.

Photovoltaic cells

Solar panels utilize the principle of series connection to generate energy. When a PV cell is connected to others in a row, it creates a Common Current (CC). That current must flow through each of the PV cells in the series. In this way, the amount of current flowing through the PV cells is the same at each point of the circuit.

When sunlight strikes a solar cell, it knocks electrons loose, which move toward the front surface. In this way, a net positive charge develops. This electricity is used to recharge batteries, power equipment, or power remote devices. Most photovoltaic modules are connected to the grid and use inverters to convert DC to AC. But stand-alone solar panels are also a common alternative energy source. They are useful for remote homes, cathodic protection of pipelines, and remote sensing.

Concentrating solar-thermal power

Concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) is a renewable energy technology that converts heat from the sun into electricity. This energy is used for a variety of industrial purposes including water desalination, enhanced oil recovery, chemical production, and mineral processing. CSP plants are capable of producing hundreds of megawatts of electricity.

Although solar-thermal power has been around for less than 30 years, it is already making a substantial contribution to the provision of renewable electricity. It has a proven track record, is cheap, and can be combined with thermal energy storage. Currently, there are approximately 1.3 gigawatts of solar thermal power plants in operation around the world, with another 31 gigawatts (GW) under development.

Since the 1980s, the first utility-scale solar-thermal plants have been built. Today, more than 120 projects are operating around the world, with Spain accounting for more than a third of that installed capacity. However, the cost of constructing massive solar-thermal arrays has slowed CSP’s development, because the key components are not “off-the-shelf” yet. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the industry continues to grow as solar PV and wind power have, and the demand for energy storage and cleaner heat sources increases.

Liquid sodium in solar power towers

In a recent study, researchers determined that liquid sodium is a promising heat-transfer material for solar power towers. The study also found that sodium has higher boiling and freezing points than other molten salts, giving it a wider operating temperature range. Liquid sodium is able to reach temperatures of 1623 degrees Celsius, which is more than twice the boiling point of water. This allows it to operate comfortably within a greater margin of error than molten salts, which have a narrow operating temperature range.

Liquid sodium exhibits a greater heat-transfer coefficient than other working fluids. The heat-transfer coefficient of sodium increases with the mass flow. The higher Qm, the smaller the average temperature difference.

Inverter

A solar inverter is an essential part of a solar panel system. It converts DC power into alternating current (AC) to send to your home or electric grid. Unlike solar cells, which produce their own power, an inverter boosts the efficiency of the solar panel system. But it’s important to know that the maximum power produced by a solar panel system can change constantly, depending on sunlight and temperature.

Normally, a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system consists of several solar panels that are mounted on a roof. When sunlight strikes the panels, it produces both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). DC energy is used in appliances, while alternating current (AC) is sent to the electrical grid and sold to the utility company.