Note on Solar Power

Solar Cells How Photovolatic Cells work: Photovoltaic is the other name for Solar cells, photovoltaic cells are responsible for producing energy out of sun light it receives. Photovoltaic or solar cells are made of special materials which are semi-conductors. These semi-conductors produces electricity when sun light is falls onto its surface. There are many types of solar cell technologies which are under development, but four of them are most commonly used, these technologies are crystalline silicon, thin films, concentrators and thermo photovoltaic solar cell technologies: Crystalline Silicon: These types of cells contain two layers, positive layer and negative layer just like in most semiconductors. Positive layer exist on the top side whereas negative layer exists on button. Electric field is created with in these layers. Photons from sun light strikes on semiconductors in result electrons are released, electrons are electric charge. This electricity is transferred as direct current (DC) in panel. Thin Film Thin film solar cells are simple, durable lighter and easier to assemble when we compare it with silicon module solar cells. Amorphous is used to build best quality thin film cells. In these form of solar cells atoms arrangement is not in particular order. It is very efficient type of cell; it can convert over 90% of usable solar energy to electricity when it is exposed to light only by using amorphous silicon thin film cell which is only one micron thick. Concentrators It works just as optical lens do. Concept is very much same as in magnifying glass. In concentrator cells light is concentrated using lens to fall on solar cells to produce maximum energy as possible. By using concentrator cells lights intensity is increase by targeting on certain area, which in result increases electricity production. Thermophotovoltaics Thermophotovoltaics cell uses different technology to produce electricity. Thermo- means heat, these cells converts heat into electricity; rest of it works as same as photovoltaic cells which converts light into electricity. The only difference between thermo-photovoltaic and photovoltaic is that thermo photovoltaic cells uses semiconductor which are designed for long wavelength, invisible light like infrared rays released by hot objects. They cannot only convent heat energy from sun into electricity but can also convert heat from any source into electric energy

Solar Energy Equipments Solar energy is not only utilized by governments and industry to produce power but is of many uses to household. There is an array of solar equipments to be used in home. First of all, there are solar panels that are used to produce electric current. This electric current is conserved in a battery at the back. However for the conversion of electric current to the usable energy like alternate current an inverter is used. This inverter turns the direct current into alternate current to support the functioning of electrical appliances. Other solar equipments which can be used at home include solar pool heating systems, solar water heaters, solar ovens and solar cookers. Solar Energy disadvantages
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Solar power panels initial cost is very high, this factor discourage solar electric system to spread widely and rapidly through out the world. Cost for solar panels may vary from location to location but estimated cost to run computer with other small electric appliances can cost up to 700 $ to 1000 $. Whereas to lighten up the entire house can cost 15000$ to 25000$ depending on the demand. Rural and remote areas which lack in conventional electricity are best suited for solar energy consumption but it solar electric system initial cost higher than using fossil fuels generated electricity. One other disadvantage of solar electric system is that they need whole lot of space of implant panels, some times on land and more often of roof top. Solar panels are always require to directly face the sun to produce electricity constantly, if panels are not facing sun it will vary in producing watts. Since solar cells arrays and modules are exposed directly to the sun, different rays like Ultraviolet rays can slowly deteriorate the surface of the panels, dust, wind, and rain can also effect the over all performance of solar power panels

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