Solar Panel-Energy From the Sun
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Gregory Colvin
Gregory Colvin is a fine art photographer and traveler. His art work has been exhibited at the Naples Museum of Art Naples Florida. His work can be seen at http://gregorycolvinphotography.com and his travel blog can be visited at http://worldwiseadventures.com/ By Gregory Colvin
Published on December 20, 2009
Sunlight’s use as an energy source to create electricity was made possible through the research done by the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel In 1839 Becquerel found that electricity could be created when light chemically reacted to certain materials
Sunlight’s use as an energy source to create electricity was made possible through the research done by the French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. In 1839 Becquerel found that electricity could be created when light chemically reacted to certain materials. This discovery is called the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic for the Greek word meaning light and for Alessandro Volta an Italian physicist for who the term volt is named. Becquerel’s work led Charles Fritts, in 1883, to the invention of the first solar cell. Because of the low efficiency rating, around 1%, it was not a feasible option for mass produced electricity.
Then in 1954, Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson working at Bell Laboratories invented the silicon solar cell. This increased the efficiency of the solar cell making it practical for electric creation. Their solar cells were used in the 1950s to power US space satellites, but were not widely used in large scale commercial electrical generation.
Advancements in the field of solar power and solar cell technology continue to improve efficiency and lower costs associated with solar power as an energy source. With the current push toward replacing existing generation technologies with green alternatives, solar affords an excellent option.
Advantages of solar power generation include the fact that it is a sustainable energy source. As the song says “The sun will come up tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar come what may” making it a natural choice. One complaint regarding solar power is that the sun isn’t always accessible, at night or in winter months. That may be. However, it is fairly predictable as to when it is available and improvements in battery storage development continue to improve.
Solar cell produced energy does not have the pollutant discharge issues associated with coal powered electric generation. Checking the US government’s Energy Information Administration website, I found that burning coal releases the following:
* Sulfur dioxide SO2. Sulfur Dioxide is linked to acid rain and respiratory illnesses.
* Nitrogen oxides NOx Nitrogen Oxides are also related to acid rain and depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from solar radiation.
* Carbon dioxide CO2. Carbon dioxide is the chemical contributing to formation of greenhouse gases which are released into the environment.
* Mercury. Mercury has a whole host of negative effects on the environment and us humans.
Mining coal can have an adverse effect on the environment. Debris from mountain top removal operations have choked mountain streams and contaminated water sources. Removal of the mountain tops has an extremely adverse effect on the eco-systems and communities near the mining operations.
Governmental agencies and corporations realize the benefits of solar power and are beginning to embrace solar technology.
On a recent visit to Oregon, I was able to visit a solar array project installed as a joint effort between the local power company and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Using this array they are powering a stretch of the highway lighting system. The project manager, Mark Osborne told us this installation will pay for itself in 5 years. Below is a photo of the array with Mark Osborne, project manager and Jan Fowler.
President Obama announced in October of this year, while visiting a solar farm in central Florida, $3.4 billion in federal stimulus grants to modernize the power grid in the US.
For the home owner, solar panels provide electrical power off the grid, which great for homes in remote locations, vacation homes, cabins and anyone wanting to reduce their monthly electric bills.
If the home has electric service, any excess electricity produced can be sold back to the power company, in most cases, in the form of a credit.
In areas where the panels receive fewer hours of sunshine, other forms of alternative energy production can augment the solar panels. Some sources would be wind turbines and magnetic energy generators.
One the largest disadvantage to solar panels has been the price. It can be expensive to purchase all the panels necessary to power the average home, but I found a better way to outfit your home for solar. There are companies that offer the average individual plans to build electric producing solar panels. One of these companies is earth4energy.com.
To visit Earth4energy website click here.
These plans include how to build the panel, where to place the panels and how to calculate your energy needs.
Then in 1954, Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson working at Bell Laboratories invented the silicon solar cell. This increased the efficiency of the solar cell making it practical for electric creation. Their solar cells were used in the 1950s to power US space satellites, but were not widely used in large scale commercial electrical generation.
Advancements in the field of solar power and solar cell technology continue to improve efficiency and lower costs associated with solar power as an energy source. With the current push toward replacing existing generation technologies with green alternatives, solar affords an excellent option.
Advantages of solar power generation include the fact that it is a sustainable energy source. As the song says “The sun will come up tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar come what may” making it a natural choice. One complaint regarding solar power is that the sun isn’t always accessible, at night or in winter months. That may be. However, it is fairly predictable as to when it is available and improvements in battery storage development continue to improve.
Solar cell produced energy does not have the pollutant discharge issues associated with coal powered electric generation. Checking the US government’s Energy Information Administration website, I found that burning coal releases the following:
* Sulfur dioxide SO2. Sulfur Dioxide is linked to acid rain and respiratory illnesses.
* Nitrogen oxides NOx Nitrogen Oxides are also related to acid rain and depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from solar radiation.
* Carbon dioxide CO2. Carbon dioxide is the chemical contributing to formation of greenhouse gases which are released into the environment.
* Mercury. Mercury has a whole host of negative effects on the environment and us humans.
Mining coal can have an adverse effect on the environment. Debris from mountain top removal operations have choked mountain streams and contaminated water sources. Removal of the mountain tops has an extremely adverse effect on the eco-systems and communities near the mining operations.
Governmental agencies and corporations realize the benefits of solar power and are beginning to embrace solar technology.
On a recent visit to Oregon, I was able to visit a solar array project installed as a joint effort between the local power company and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Using this array they are powering a stretch of the highway lighting system. The project manager, Mark Osborne told us this installation will pay for itself in 5 years. Below is a photo of the array with Mark Osborne, project manager and Jan Fowler.
President Obama announced in October of this year, while visiting a solar farm in central Florida, $3.4 billion in federal stimulus grants to modernize the power grid in the US.
For the home owner, solar panels provide electrical power off the grid, which great for homes in remote locations, vacation homes, cabins and anyone wanting to reduce their monthly electric bills.
If the home has electric service, any excess electricity produced can be sold back to the power company, in most cases, in the form of a credit.
In areas where the panels receive fewer hours of sunshine, other forms of alternative energy production can augment the solar panels. Some sources would be wind turbines and magnetic energy generators.
One the largest disadvantage to solar panels has been the price. It can be expensive to purchase all the panels necessary to power the average home, but I found a better way to outfit your home for solar. There are companies that offer the average individual plans to build electric producing solar panels. One of these companies is earth4energy.com.
To visit Earth4energy website click here.
These plans include how to build the panel, where to place the panels and how to calculate your energy needs.