What is solar energy?
Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. It is made when four hydrogen atoms join together to become one helium atom. Every second, the sun changes 564 million tons of hydrogen into helium. This energy travels into space as waves. Only a very small amount of this energy comes to Earth. Most of it bounces back into space or is absorbed by the air and the ground.
Most of the energy on Earth, except for nuclear energy, comes from the sun. The sun’s heat causes wind and makes water evaporate, which then creates rain and power for water dams. Sunlight also helps plants make food (photosynthesis), which is the basis for our food and for fossil fuels like coal and oil. We can use the sun’s energy directly with solar ovens for high heat and solar cells to make electricity. The efficiency of solar cells was once low, but their development has improved because of space research and the need for new energy sources.
Facts
- Solar technologies are becoming more efficient
The global solar market has been growing fast, which has led to big improvements in how solar panels are made and how they work. Most panels today are 15% to 20% efficient, which is a lot better than before. This means they can turn more sunlight into power. Panels are also made to last in bad weather, so they have a lifespan of about 30 years with very little loss of power.
- Solar energy is the fastest source to set up
Solar energy can be set up very quickly, making it a perfect solution for emergencies and disasters. The systems are made of small panels that are easy to move and install. For example, after a hurricane in Puerto Rico, companies quickly built small solar power plants with batteries, which was much faster than installing any other type of energy source.
- Solar energy is 100% safe and renewable
Solar energy is completely clean and renewable because it does not create any toxic waste, unlike fossil fuels or nuclear power. Scientists say the sun will shine for another 5 billion years, so we have a long-term energy source. Homes with solar systems can become fully self-sufficient, which protects them from power outages.
- The space industry was an early user of solar energy
The space industry was one of the first to use solar energy for its spacecraft, starting in the 1950s. A good example is the Vanguard 1 satellite, launched in 1958, which is still the oldest man-made satellite powered by solar cells. Solar panels are key for powering satellites and space stations because they are a reliable and long-lasting power source in space.
- The discovery of solar energy happened almost 200 years ago
The ability to turn sunlight into power, called the photovoltaic effect, was discovered by a French scientist named Alexandre Edmond Becquerel all the way back in 1839. While the technology existed for a long time, it only started getting serious attention in 1941 when Russell Ohl made the modern solar cell.
- The life of a solar panel creates very little pollution
While making power from panels creates no pollution, some parts of a panel’s life (like making the materials, shipping, and recycling) do create a small amount of emissions. However, this is very small compared to fossil fuels. The total effect on the environment from solar panels is very low.
- Solar panels can make better use of energy
In solar systems, devices called microinverters let each panel work on its own. This is very helpful if panels are facing different directions or if one panel is in the shade. If one panel has a problem, the others keep working at full power, which makes sure the whole system makes as much energy as possible.
- There is probably a solar power plant near you
Solar power plants have become very common. Today, you can see solar panels on almost every roof of a home, building, or store. This growth shows that solar energy has become an important part of how the world gets its power.
- China has the fastest growth in solar energy in the world
China is the world leader in how fast it is adding new solar power. It is expected to have the largest amount of installed solar power by 2026. This fast growth helps China reach its goals for cleaner air, even though the country still uses a lot of coal.
- Researchers are thinking about solar power plants in space
Scientists are looking at a futuristic idea to put solar power plants in Earth’s orbit. Panels in space would get constant and stronger sunlight than those on Earth, which would let them make a huge amount of power 24 hours a day.
Myths
- It takes more energy to make a solar panel than the panel will make during its lifetime.
The idea that a solar panel does not make enough energy to cover the energy used to build it is a myth today. Because of better technology, a solar panel now pays back its energy debt in just 2 to 5 years. Since solar panels can last up to 40 years, they produce much more energy than was used to make them.
- It’s not true that solar panels can’t make electricity on cloudy or rainy days. This is a common myth.
You can get electricity from solar panels as long as there is daylight. The panels do not work at night when the sun is gone. Even if it is cloudy or raining during the day, you can still get some power from the sun, but less—about 10% of what you get on a sunny day.
- Solar panels (photovoltaic panels) do not turn heat into electricity, but rather sunlight.
Electricity is made from electromagnetic radiation (light), not heat. High temperatures actually make solar panels less efficient, like a computer or phone. The best time for making solar energy is when it is sunny and cool, like during springtime in Europe.
Source:
Hrvatska enciklopedija, https://enciklopedija.hr/clanak/sunceva-energija
Zbeny, https://www.beny.com/hr/top-10-things-you-might-not-know-about-solar-energy/
Author: Petra Vuleta
