SolarSiteAnalysis.info

Radha Kishan asked:


The Sun is the source of life on our planet. It?s not only the source of light, but also the source of heat and other forms of energy. Even the energy stored in our food, fossil-fuel; all these are actually results of previous ?insolation? (sunshine). Probably that?s why old civilizations used to worship the sun as a god. It?s amazing to know that one hour of solar energy, if fully harnessed, can fulfil a whole year of energy need on earth!

How Does Solar Energy Work?

The sunlight reaches the earth?s surface in form of:

1. light or the visible radiation (frequencies that produce the spectra ?violet to red? while passing through a prism)

2. heat or invisible infrared radiation (frequencies below [=infra] red spectrum)

3. high-frequency ultra-violet radiation (frequencies beyond [=ultra] violet spectrum). The use of the light needs no elaboration. The heat is the energy we use to dry clothes, run the water-cycle (evaporation-cloud-rain). The UV is that causes the tan on our skin or causes skin-cancer.

But the light form is used in another way now-a-days, a way that has opened towards the new horizon of renewable energy; the solar-electricity. This process of converting the light into electricity is called PV or photovoltaic.

How Do Solar Cells or Solar Panels Work?

Solar Cells convert light directly into electricity. On a sunny day, the electricity converted from an area of 1 square-meter can feed a 100W light-bulb. Solar cells, or photovoltaic cells are generally silicon-based (silicon is an element extracted from sand) pieces that absorb the sunlight.

One end of the Silicon (Si) piece is doped with Boron (B) which is considered as the positive (+ve) end and the other end is doped with Phosphorus (P), which is the negative (-ve) end. When light falls onto the solar cell, electrons are displaced from the atoms of Silicon. However, the electrons tend to move towards Phosphorus which attracts electrons (negative charges). Thereby, there is a surplus of electrons in ?ve end and a shortage of electrons in the +ve end.

If a conducting line is formed up outside the cell between the +ve and ?ve ends, an electrical flow is generated and a working circuit is constructed. This electricity is a direct current or DC (unidirectional flow) like a battery. But DC is not suitable for common use, so DC is converted through an ?inverter? to alternating current or AC. This AC can be transformed into required ?voltage? through a ?transformer?.

This process of converting sunlight into electricity is called the photovoltaic process. A combination of PV cells makes a PV module, a set of PV modules form a PV panel or commonly called solar panel. Even greater powers can be achieved through a collection of PV panels put together in an ?Array?.

The Chain of Harnessing Solar Energy

Summarising all these, here is the chain of Solar Energy:

a. The Sun radiates light

b. The PV cells convert solar radiation into electricity

d. This electricity is like battery-generated electricity (unidirectional flow of current) or the DC.

e. The inverter converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).

f. The transformer guarantees that the voltage of the electricity coming from the inverter is the one we require.

g. The distribution scheme receives electricity produced by the system and combines it with other electric sources.

h. There could be electric meters to measure the amount of electricity produced.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Tina Metcalf asked:


Electricity generated from solar power (photovoltaic - PV) is steadily proving to be a clean, reliable and essential power.

Although naysayers, like fossil-fuel competitors, want us to think otherwise, I can easily demystify some common falsehoods about solar energy because progress and continued research proves that the current and future technologies of PV will meet our needs for cleaner power, which definitely is information worth discussing over any dinner party.

First of all most naysayers contend that solar energy cannot deliver any major portion of electricity to the states or the world for that matter. This is a falsehood based on the fact that PV technology can meet the required demand. That a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply solar energy to the states with all its electricity (roughly 800 gigawatts) operating reasonably efficient (10%) commercial PV modules.

Land, parking lots and rooftops are available for use to generate enough power. An estimated 17 by 17 miles per state is the required amount needed to produce 800 gigawatts. Apparently, there are enough “abandoned” sites that could be used for solar panels.

Supporters of solar electricity definitely have proven that PV can supply a major portion of the U.S. electrical needs with their projection of an increase of at least 15% of new added electricity capacity in 2020 with another increase of 10% by 2030.

Another falsehood I hear quite regularly is that photovoltaics will never become a huge industry. It’s a boutique business for a small group of privileged consumers.

Quite the contrary, solar electricity is a full-fledged business that has been growing steadily for more than 35% per year over the past 2 years. As a matter of fact, it’s been reported that the U.S.-based industry itself is reaching the $1 billion mark per year and providing 25,000 jobs. In the next two decades the growth rate is expected to rise to the $10-$15 billion level, thus provided 300,000 jobs by 2025. We are talking a major expansion of solar electricity as a tried and true power source.

Another very common falsehood that I hear at dinner party conversations is the PV is too expensive and will not ever compete against all mighty fossil-fuels - the industry will never manufacture the energy that it takes to produce the system.

Do I have a smirk on my face? Yes. This is so far from the truth, it is ridiculous. The overall cost of producing PV modules has dropped from 1980 at $50 per peak watt to as low as $3 per peak watt, presently, bringing the competitive applications to as low as 15¢-25¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh).

One can simply take a look at the market in California. The state incentives and net metering alone have places, PV electricity prices below 11¢/kWh, which is in the norm with some utility-delivered power. Designed for most domestic markets the trend is projected to continue through 2010 for most domestic markets.

Technologically the thin-film modules that are being implemented today payback in one year or even less, which means clean and practically free of overhead energy for the remaining 29-year life expectancy of the modules.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Marketsmonitor asked:


Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical country like India where around 45% of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity, says a new research report “Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012” from a leading research company RNCOS.

India receives solar energy equivalent to more than 5,000 Trillion kWh per year, which is far more than its total annual energy consumption. The country’s geographical location, large population and government support are also assisting it to become one of the most rapidly emerging solar energy markets in the world. Consequently, the country is becoming a favorite investment destination for both local as well as global players.

Demand for solar products has been rising rapidly over the recent years, especially in rural areas, and is expected to continue growing substantially during our forecast period (2009-2012). The total number of solar lanterns in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 40% between 2009 and 2012.

“Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012” provides a rational analysis and extensive research on the solar power industry in India. It thoroughly examines the current industry trends which are adding to the growth of solar power market of the country. The report highlights the emerging segments of solar power industry and their market potential to serve the enormous population of the country. It will help clients to understand the market dynamics and get an insight of the current and future outlook of solar power market in India.

Besides giving projections on various energy indicators, the report also gives forecast on various segments of the solar power industry based on feasible solar industry environment in India. These include:

- Solar Street Lighting System

- Solar Home Lighting System

- Solar Lantern

- Solar Photovoltaic Pumps

- Solar Water Heating System

- Solar Cookers

The forecast given in this report is not based on a complex economic model, but is intended as a rough guide to the direction in which the market is likely to move. This forecast is based on correlations between past market growth, growth of base drivers and possible impact of recession in the economy.

The report also includes detailed information about the key players in the solar power industry of India including BHEL, BEL, CEL, TATA BP Solar India Limited, Moser Baer India Limited, Applied Materials, Inc, and Solar Signet.

For more detail visit :-http://www.marketsmonitor.com/Indian-Solar-Energy-Report/IM187.htm



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Y.T. Lee asked:


Many people today believe in the importance of going green. As a matter of fact, there are cars right now that are environment friendly. There are also a lot of campaigns against air pollution, burning garbage, etc. When it comes to electricity production, there is also a way to go green. By depending on homemade solar energy to bring electricity to your homes, you will be able to have a more harmonious relationship with mother earth.

Using electricity provided by solar power has so many benefits. Aside from promoting eco-friendliness, it also aids people in saving on electricity charges. Solar power is also renewable which can bring about energy conservation, becoming one way of ensuring that fossil fuels do not immediately run out. Solar power produces both heat and electricity which are two very important elements that we need to survive. By constructing and using the so called solar panels, we can gain solar power, which means that we can get power into our homes in a more efficient way.

Perhaps the most interesting benefit of solar powered electricity is the fact that users get to provide their own energy, thus decreasing the need to rely on utility companies. Bear in mind that almost every year, electricity rates go higher, forcing us to shell out more money every month. With solar panels, however, rising electricity charges may not have a bigger effect on people.

Some people may have second thoughts about using solar powered systems because of the cost to purchase and to have it set up. Having solar panels installed in your home may sometimes reach the cost of thousands of dollars. However, when you think about the benefits and the total percentage of savings you get yearly, having a solar powered system can be better than paying utility companies just to get electricity.

Nowadays, there are also solar panel kits available that are not that heavy on the pocket. To save on money, you may also choose to install the system yourself, especially because the kits normally come with instruction manuals that you can just follow in order to successfully install a solar powered system by yourself. By installing a DIY kit, you may not need to hire professional installers, thus, you get to save money. There are also some government programs in a number of countries that provide rebates and sometimes tax credits to people who use solar panels which also means more savings.

The demand for homemade solar energy is little by little rising because of how advantageous it is. A lot of manufacturers are now able to offer less costly solar power systems. There are also different types of solar panels that can give you the choice of which solar panel is best for your home. If you want guaranteed efficiency and savings, find out first the total amount of power you need, the amount of sunlight you get in your place, etc before purchasing solar panel kits. Look for systems that are easy to afford, easy to buy, and proven effective.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Dan Snow asked:


I’m fairly certain that the majority of people would like to be free from the costly grip of the power company, and in turn be able to reduce their monthly bills. The problem is that most of us don’t know how to do this. But what if there was a step-by-step guide that could demonstrate exactly how to build your own cost-efficient, home solar energy system? Would you want to check it out? I’m assuming the answer is yes, so I will continue on.

The reality is that having a solar energy system installed in your home can be very expensive, to the tune of around $20,000. That said, the only way to do this cost-effectively is to build your own. On the surface, this might sound like an arduous undertaking, but luckily, many people that have gone before us and paved this path already. There are several, simple to follow DIY tutorials that you can take advantage of.

With today’s increasing awareness of global warming caused by the excessive burning of fossil fuels, more and more people are looking to reduce their “carbon footprint” and take more responsibility for the care of the Earth. If you want to be a part of today’s green revolution, then home solar power is a great option. It’s renewable, clean and doesn’t really require much upkeep after the initial installation. Installing your own system is not only great for the environment, but it will also provide you with a great back-up source of power in the case of outages in your area, and additionally save you money at the same time. Solar energy itself is free and endless. There is no reason why we shouldn’t take advantage of it in our own lives.

For a step-by-step guide to create your own home solar energy system, check out a great resource on the subject here.

http://homesolarpowersystem.blogspot.com



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

John Tahan asked:


We simply need to think back of the last time we lost power when we had to light some candles and wash ourselves with cold water. Luckily for us the power came back but what if it didn’t come back. We have to stop thinking that everything lasts forever because nothing does and the sooner we realize that, the better we will be, it is time to start thinking outside the box, and look up high above into the sky and realize that solar energy is here for us to use. It shines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week non stop around the world, it is here now and for a long time to come.

The sun is a very intense ball of fire or gas way up in the atmosphere. We only see it when we are awake but on the other side of the globe others also get the daytime when we get the night. Did you know that some people use a great deal of the heat generated from the sun in order to heat their homes, power electricity and provide hot water to their love ones and businesses. Thinking about all the machinery that runs with electricity, it is hard to imagine running it by rerouting the sun to the machinery. Scientists have started to make this possible by utilizing this free energy to power everything from, home heaters to heating water, from powering home appliances to electronic devices and even the space shuttle is using solar power.

This solar power energy can be redirected and concentrated using special boxes (solar panels) that attract the light during the day to heat water and homes throughout the night. Solar power is becoming very common, extremely important and provides a natural way to heat, collect electricity and heat water with just a little more effort. We live in changing times; in the future we may have no other choice but to look at natural resources in order to have these necessities and conveniences. To have a home solar power system installed or have one made yourself can save you a huge amount of money and the investment you made to modify you house to implement a solar system can pay itself off many times in a short period of time. Solar power is important now and in the future.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Anthony Holmes asked:


WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?

Since its very creation, the Sun has had much to offer the Earth. Mankind has been able to harvest solar energy.  As the Sun shines its rays down on the planet, solar cells collect the light and it is transferred into electricity, allowing you to power almost anything.  Solar energy will burn for millennia to come and is considered one of the fastest growing fields in renewable energy sources.

What is solar energy and how does it work?  The way solar power works can be explained simply.  Solar panels, known as a photovoltaic system, convert sunlight into electricity using cells on the panels that are made of the semi-conductive material crystalline silicon.  There are multiple layers that include conductive cells, with the top and bottom layers holding positive and negative charges.  When the sun passes through these layers, the electrons become excited and pass through the cells into the circuit to produce the power of electricity.  This electricity is DC current that passes through an inverter to produce the common AC current used in your household that can be stored in batteries similar to that found on your automobile.  Solar power systems offer many benefits that include free power from the sun, silent running and it is non-polluting. Hundreds of dollars saved on your power bill and installation can cost just a few hundred dollars. 

Solar panels installation can be on your rooftop, in your side yard, or they can mimic roof shingles or glass facades.  Some panels pivot so that they follow the sun’s rays across the sky.  This last choice provides you with the most amount of sunlight to collect.  No matter which area you live in, solar energy can help produce electricity for your home or office.  Energy is stored so that even on cloudy or hazy days you can benefit from solar energy.  Some areas can allow you to install a solar system that produces so much power that you could even go off-grid while selling back an overabundance of energy to the power company. Local governments offer incentive plans for going green. 

What is solar energy?  It is the universal gift to our planet that will help allow us to dismiss our dependence on fossil fuels.  It is the universal gift that allows life to thrive and continue until the Sun itself burns out. Much can be done for your home, office and planet if you go this route and produce power from our guardian angel, the Sun.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

nlwest21 asked:


Change is a watch word for our planet, and changes have been made that have enhanced the Earth. Scientist are exploring the negative effects of solar energy in order to safely replace the energy sources that we presently use with this form.

Solar energy has the ability to give us cheaper if not free electricity to our homes through the use of solar panels. However, before you jump on the band wagon and go out and try to start this new power trip there are a few things you should know. There are some people who believe there are many negatives to solar power.

Many people believe that thermal solar energy has many health risks when it is used to heat water and the air in their homes. This can happen when it has not been set up properly or the manufacturer made errors when producing it.

If it is unable to store the water properly it can cause fungus and molds to grow making anyone who drinks or uses the water sick. To make sure that this does not happen you can make sure that the units used to store the water have been built from materials that are made to prevent this.

PV solar energy also as health risks that you need to be careful of. PV (photo-voltaic) panels require millions of silicon dioxide in order to be used. That number is lowered when they are exposed to heat. The materials that are released during the refining process will increase the rate of toxicity and can affect your health. This is one of the more serious negatives of solar energy that is responsible for eleven to twenty one deaths per each quadrillion joules of energy that are created.

But do not let this deter you completely. Study up on the different types of solar panels and the negatives as well as the positives. You might find that they are worth it in the end.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Y.T. Lee asked:


Not only gas prices are soaring nowadays; electricity bills are, too. In some countries, a lot of people have started utilizing electricity sources that bring about more savings. The most common are the so called solar panels, which are able to make use of solar power to produce electricity. Electricity that comes out of solar panels is more popularly known as residential solar energy that can help you save on electricity bills. How the said type of energy is produced is something that needs to be answered.

Panels that bring about solar power actually work in a simple manner: their job is to ensure that the sun’s light is transformed into usable energy that will give their users the electricity they need. This is done through silicon atoms that bond with each other in order to facilitate electron-sharing and therefore help in giving off electricity.

Part of the process of producing electricity through panels that produce solar power is combining silicon atoms with the photons that are produced by the sunlight. Once silicon atoms, their electrons, and the photons are mixed together, electricity is generated. Take note however that for a big amount of electricity to be produced, a lot of solar energy is also needed, which equates to the fact that more solar cells are also needed.

Some people may think that solar power producing panels may be hard to obtain, let alone placed in their homes. The truth, however, is that there are now various manufacturers that offer solar panel kits that come with easy installation and are definitely easy to use. The said kits also come with tools, better known as inverters that enable the production of power for home use.

If you have the desire to purchase solar panel kits, keep in mind that to get maximum benefits and to ensure that the output works properly, have those kits installed by the experts. Though it may be true that those kits are extremely easy to install, there are still some factors that may affect the performance of your finished product such as the roof angle of your residence, the directions the solar panel’s trackers face, and many more.

Finding out everything about how solar energy may be produced and how solar panels may be utilized are usually some ways of motivating people to consider the use of solar power in their homes, offices, shops, etc. Electricity produced from panels that emit usable energy may also be used in street lights, lighthouses, and even in traffic signs. Through the use of solar power, the process of energy conservation is practiced. Take note too that the electricity a user gets from solar panels may be described as reliable and very simple to maintain.

In our world that is bombarded with the rising prices of utilities, specifically high electricity bills, the only way to save a significant amount of money is to look for other sources of energy. Residential solar energy has a lot of benefits that we can enjoy for as long as we learn the right ways to obtain it.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Anna asked:


Solar energy is for everyone simply because the sun shines in every corner of the planet. In fact, the history of solar energy can be traced back to the Greeks that were then passed on to the Romans which marked the first people to ever use the passive solar design.

Passive solar design is a way to warm the home based on the dwelling’s design. They may not have had glass windows back then but their architecture made it possible for the people to use the sun’s rays to light and heat indoor spaces. As a result, there was no need to burn food that often which was in short supply.

In 1861, Auguste Mouchout invented the first active solar motor. Unfortunately, its expensive price made it impossible to produce commercially. Less than 20 years later, Charles Fritts invented solar cells which will later on be used to power homes, heaters, satellites and other devices today.

Since what he invented was very primitive, other people experimented on solar energy. One such person was Albert Einstein who won the Nobel Prize for physics in his research on the photoelectric effect which is a phenomenon associated with the generation of electricity through solar cells.

In 1953, Bell Laboratories  which we know today as AT&T labs developed the first silicon solar cell capable of generating a measurable electric current. Three years later, solar cells ran $300 per watt. With the Cold War and the Space Race on, this was used to power satellites and crafts.

But the biggest event in the development of sola energy occurred during the oil crisis of 1973. This prompted the US government to invest heavily in the solar electric cell that was developed by Bell Laboratories 20 years ago. 

By the 1990’s, research towards solar energy came to a standstill as the price of oil dropped in the world market. Funds were diverted elsewhere and the United States which was probably the leader in this form of alternative energy was soon surpassed by other nations mainly Germany and Japan.

In 2002 for example, Japan had installed 25,000 solar panels on rooftops. Because of that, the price of solar panels went down as the demand for it was on the rise. To date, solar energy is growing at a modest 30% per year.

Although there have been improvements in solar energy, its fundamentals are still the same. The sun’s rays are collected and then converted into electricity. Aside from powering homes or office buildings, the technology has been used to power aircraft, cars and boats.

Unfortunately, none of these have been made available yet for public use. We still rely heavily on oil for electricity, gasoline for our cars, fuel for planes and ships.

In fact, the US is one of the biggest oil users in the world. To prove a point, the department of Defense consumes 395,000 barrels per day because of the wars being fought right now in Afghanistan and Iraq which is almost the fuel consumption of an entire country like Greece. 

This has to change because our oil reserves are almost depleted and many experts believe that global supply for these non-renewable resources will be gone before the end of the century. We have to do our share to push for renewable energy and one of them happens to be solar energy.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta