Sunlight! The most precious gold on the earth, gives light and heat to the world. The heat of the scorching Sun may tan our skin, but that same heat can help us in various other ways. “Our climate is very conducive to solar energy. There is a lot to be gained from harnessing passive solar potential and using the sun to heat our water and our homes”-Bill Parker.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.Solar Energy
2.Solar Panel
3.How does Solar Panel Function
4.Solar Rooftop
5.Solar Rooftops in India
6.Solar Panel Saves Energy
7.Benefits of Solar Rooftops in India
1.Solar Energy
The Sun, in addition to shining, giving heat and making the day bright has abundant and renewable energy called solar energy. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed using a range of technologies. This harnessed energy, called solar power is converted into thermal or electrical energy and can be used for water heating, ventilation, electricity and even transportation.
2.Solar Panel
A Solar panel is also known as a PV panel. Heat of the sun contains particles of energy called ‘photons’. Solar panels convert these photons into electricity which can be used to power electrical loads. Solar panels are used for various applications including residential and commercial solar electric systems.
There are two types of technologies that harness solar energy: Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal. In Solar Photovoltaic technology, sunlight is converted into direct current electricity by using semiconductors. Solar Thermal technology, utilizes the heat energy from the sun for heating or electricity production. Solar panels do not require much maintenance. It only requires the initial cost for installation. Once installed it keeps on generating electricity for about two decades. Solar panel saves energy.
3.How does Solar Panel Function
Sunlight contains clean renewable energy. Solar panels collect this clean energy and convert it into electricity. Then this electricity is used to provide power for electrical loads. A Solar panel comprises of numerous individual solar cells. These solar cells are in turn composed of layers of silicon, phosphorus and boron. Phosphorus in solar cells provides negative charge while boron provides the positive charge. Solar panels initiate an electric current when they absorb photons.
Solar cells act as semiconductors because they are made of silicon. These solar cells are constructed with a positive layer and a negative layer. These two layers can create an electric field. Photons knock electrons loose from a solar cell when they hit it. These form an electrical circuit if positive and negative conductors are attached to the cell. Electricity is generated when electrons flow through the circuit. This entire process is called Photovoltaic effect. A solar panel has multiple cells and multiple panels can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels are there, the more energy is generated.
4.Solar Rooftop
Solar panels are placed on rooftops to harness solar energy. This is then converted to electricity. Rooftops that hold solar panels are called Solar Rooftops. Solar panels do not require a large space. The roof of a house is the best place to install Solar panels. These panels can generate electricity for all the power requirements of that house. The surplus electricity flows to the main power grid and can be used at night.
5.Solar Rooftops in India
Solar panel saves energy. One can witness solar panels mounted on the roofs of houses, buildings, government buildings, and even business centers. India is shifting towards renewable resources, one being the solar energy which generates affordable electricity.
6.Solar Panel Saves Energy
Solar energy can be used in different ways. We can use photovoltaic (PV) solar system, which is an easy way to benefit from solar energy. Solar panel is made up of silicon which is a semi conductor material. In a PV solar system, when sunlight hits a solar panel, the semiconductor material knocks the electron loose. These electrons, in motion, create current which can be caught with wiring. The electricity that is collected can be immediately used or can be stored in a battery for later use. Hence we can say that Solar panels save energy.
7.Benefits of Solar Rooftops in India
Solar panels on the rooftops are cost effective. Installation of solar panels is free from any hazardous issues. They don’t affect the global climate as they do not generate any heat-trapping gases. It doesn’t generate carbon dioxide. It neither creates any harmful emissions or wastes that are associated with coal, like mercury, sulphur dioxides or nitrogen oxides.
Solar Rooftop Panels just need proper cleaning and good maintenance. They can function for more than two decades without any problem. Rooftop Solar Panels generate electricity which can be utilized in that building, thus reducing the electricity bill. In this way one can also save the environment. Our country receives ample sunlight, almost throughout the year, so one can harness solar energy without any difficulty.
Solar panels can support a number of applications like telecommunications equipment, remote sensing, remote power systems for cabins, and residential and commercial solar electric systems. Solar panels are also used in calculators in the form of solar cells. Electricity for many applications can be produced using solar panels. These are more effective when they are used in off –grid areas, which means there is no main electricity utility grid. Remote homes and cabins can use solar power. If properly maintained, a solar electric system can provide power for more than three decades. Being clean and renewable, solar power is very useful. Solar panel saves energy.
Solar power can heat water or supply hot water to a residence or a building. Solar power can also run electric generators. At times people face some issues with access to electricity. In such cases people use diesel generators but they affect health and are also expensive in terms of their functioning costs. Here comes into force the solar energy which is an affordable source of energy and is eco-friendly. One also gets support from the government, as a part of the installation cost is paid as a subsidy by the government. Solar Rooftop panels don’t require any special space or any special roof. They can be set-up on any type of roof. These rooftop panels also offer protection to the roof of the building. It is a fact that Solar panel saves energy.
Written by Nikhil Gattu
