Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

When a visible light photon strikes a solar cell it can do one of three things: pass straight through, be reflected, or be absorbed. If the photon is absorbed, its energy is absorbed by an electron in an atom of the solar cell enabling it to escape from its normal position (photon excitation), cross the junction and fill a hole. Since electrons are physically moving across the PN junction, the positive charge carrying holes are effectively moving in the opposite direction around the load circuit (a rechargeable battery or light bulb etc). This completes the circuit providing more holes for the electrons to combine with and providing usable electricity.

Solar PV (photovoltaic) was first discovered in 1839 by French scientist Edmond Becquerel. Over the next 100 years, there were other discoveries and inventions, including several discoveries by Albert Einstein, who received a Nobel Prize for his theories on the photovoltaic effect in 1921.

Solar PV (photovoltaic) was first discovered in 1839 by French scientist Edmond Becquerel. Over the next 100 years, there were other discoveries and inventions, including several discoveries by Albert Einstein, who received a Nobel Prize for his theories on the photovoltaic effect in 1921.

Power density: Power from a solar array is limited by the size of the vehicle and area that can be exposed to sunlight. While energy can be accumulated in batteries to lower peak demand on the array and provide operation in sunless conditions, the battery adds weight and cost to the vehicle. The power limit can be mitigated by use of conventional electric cars supplied by solar (or other) power, recharging from the electrical grid.

By the time it reaches Earth's surface, the energy in sunlight has fallen to about 1,000 watts per square meter at noon on a cloudless day. Averaged over the entire surface of the planet, 24 hours per day for a year, each square meter collects the approximate energy equivalent of almost a barrel of oil each year, or 4.2 kilowatt-hours of energy every day. Deserts, with very dry air and little cloud cover, receive the most sun—more than six kilowatt-hours per day per square meter. Northern climates, such as Boston, get closer to 3.6 kilowatt-hours. Sunlight varies by season as well, with some areas receiving very little sunshine in the winter. Seattle in December, for example, gets only about 0.7 kilowatt-hours per day. It should also be noted that these figures represent the maximum available solar energy that can be captured and used, but solar collectors capture only a portion of this, depending on their efficiency. For example, a one square meter solar electric panel with an efficiency of 15 percent would produce about one kilowatt-hour of electricity per day in Arizona.

The Brazilian government still awaits a reduction in solar prices to create a specific auction by the end of 2013 or the beginning of 2014. However, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) does not demonstrate any signs of this happening.

In 2013, however, revenue and capacity installed are expected to double: projects will be delivered, the resolution 482/2012 will have a major impact, and X% of the National Association of Electric Energy’s (ANEEL’s) research and development (R&D) will conclude. Capacity installed expectations in 2013 will near X megawatts (MW); in 2014, X MW; in 2015, X MW; and beyond, faster expansion is expected. Currently, capacity installed for the solar market is X MW, but it is expected to reach X MW by 2017. The total possible capacity installed for Brazil is close to X gigawatts (GW). This market revenue will have a X% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period (2012–2017) due to ANEEL´s R&D, international events, and the resolution 482/2012 cost reductions. Now, market revenue is close to $X million and can reach $X million by 2017.

Distributed generation could grow faster with financial support, better service from energy concessionaries, and cost reductions; nonetheless, it will grow considerably.

A solar cell is any device that directly converts the energy in light into electrical energy through the process of photovoltaics. The development of solar cell technology begins with the 1839 research of French physicist Antoine-César Becquerel. Becquerel observed the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution when he saw a voltage develope when light fell upon the electrode.

Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available, and the U.S. has some of the richest Solar resources in the world.

Let’s not hide the fact that manufacturing solar panels requires resources, fossil fuels that release CO2 emissions and add to our carbon footprint. However, it’s been shown in numerous studies that solar panel production releases nowhere near as much CO2 and other greenhouse gases as electric generated from coal, oil, natural gas, etc. (And you still need to produce the equipment to generate electricity from those sources as well.)

hen a modern day person hears the term “solar energy” they often think about solar panels that are mounted on roofs in sunny neighborhoods. Find out how to slash your electric bill by 75% with little out of pocket expense. Although this is a part of solar energy, there is much more to it.

A 5,000-watt solar electric array on a roof that is 80% of an ideal site in terms of output, will generate about 4,800 kWh per year. Therefore, this solar energy will prevent 5,760 pounds of CO2 pollution from going into the atmosphere, every year.

kilowatt system will replace around 2.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases, possibly more. It depends on what your annual output is, and what the local mix of power sources is in your province/state/country.

Solar power Manufacturer Company affects the environment in 3 steps, Production process in the factories goods that are being transported for production Installation process of the panel

As with installing your own solar energy, installing wind energy will help to reduce carbon emissions, which damage the environment and will save money.

It's only downfall is possibly the visual impact it makes on the landscape: A tall 'small scale' generator could attract wide rebuttal from neighbours, and this is worth considering before embarking on a wind generation project. However, if you live in a remote area, which benefits from exposure to the wind, or have neighbours that are happy for you to go ahead with the project, installing wind power can be an economically viable way to capitalise on natural, renewable resources

A wind generator will cost in the region of £3'000 - £15'000, at about £3'000 per kilowatt.

A quick search on TreeHugger shows that ' solar power ' most often occurs in connection with producing electricity and only secondarily in connection with solar water heaters

Compared to electrically heated Water , Solar Water Heating is 57% of the internal rate of return, the scientists found