Home What Is Solar Energy? Definition, Uses, Types and More

What Is Solar Energy? Definition, Uses, Types and More

What Is Solar Energy Definition Uses Types And More

Energy is a most integral part of our life, and it is difficult to live a single day without energy. The forms of energy include chemical energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, kinetic energy, potential energy etc. As we know Basically, we use energy to get our work done. Thus, energy gets converted from one form to another form and in this process of energy conversion we get work done.

Solar energy also an energy which is obtained from Sun. The sun radiates energy uniformly in all directions in the form of electromagnetic waves. This energy is clean, inexhaustible, abundantly and universally available source of energy. Solar energy that received in the form of radiation, can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. 

 

TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY 

Sun is the main source of energy. When the sun rays fall on earth surface it has two components that is Heat and Light. we use both heat and light.     

So, there is two type of solar energy that is,

Solar Thermal

As thermal means heat so here it absorb the sun radiation and convert it into heat energy. This technology can be used for water heating, cooking and power generating as well. Normally, we use this for heating and cooking. As, It Produce heat so, if we go for generate electricity from it then there will be more loses so people don’t use this for generate power.

Solar Photovoltaic

As Photo means light so here it absorb the solar radiation and convert it into direct current electricity by photovoltaic effect.

 

USES OF SOLAR ENERGY

  • Power Generation

This is one of application which is use in large scale. The first large sized (1MW) plant was installed in California. A large no of rooftop system also been successfully operated at various parts of the world.

  • Water Pumping

Water pumping is an application of solar PV without storage use for the purpose of irrigation or drinking water during Sunshine hours. Irrigation pumps of relatively low power can be driven directly by a vapour turbine using solar energy. It is more efficient to use as it requires low installation cost and low maintenance.

  • Charging Batteries with Solar

Devices that are operate by using battery can be charged with solar Power. As solar cells produce the direct electric current required for battery charging. The stored energy can then delivered as electricity upon discharge.

  • Solar water heating

A tilted flat-plate solar collector with water as a heat transfer fluid is used. A thermally insulated hot-water storage tank is mounted above the collector. The heated water of the collector rises upto the hot water tank and replaces an equal quantity of cold water, which enters the collector. The cycle repeats, resulting in all the water of the hot water tank getting heated up.

  • Solar Cooking

This cooker is simple in construction and operation. An insulated box of blackened aluminium contains the utensils. The box receives direct radiation and also reflected radiation from a reflector mirror fixed on inner side. Temperature obtained from inner side of the box is enough for cooking in about 2-3hours. It is capable of cooking 2kg of food.

WHY SOLAR ENERGY?

   As we know, we obtain solar energy from the sun. It is clean and Non-conventional. We can use this Energy again and again without causing any harm to our ecosystem. Do you know, we can fulfill our one-year need of power by using one hour of solar energy but unfortunately, we are using only 0.001% of this energy. Transformation of solar energy to other forms of energy is easy. By using solar PV we can easily convert solar energy to electrical energy and this electrical energy can easily convert to heat energy like in water heating and can be converted to light energy like a lighting bulb. Nowadays solar energy is used to power cars in order to reduce dependence on oil and fossil fuels. Another thing is once you install a solar farm it will return you the cost without many losses. You don’t have to pay again and again the utility bills. One of the most important things is this energy is not going to finish as It is always available in every corner of the world.

FUTURE OF SOLAR ENERGY

As we know India has always faced a shortage of energy Even though the country is the largest producer of electricity in the world. In the future, Growing up of solar energy generation and equipment manufacturing can make India’s economy more sustainable and Atmanirbhar. The new plan for the economic growth model is renewable energy. This is a Milestone in India’s journey towards generating 500GW from renewable energy by 2030, of which 300GW is expected to come from solar.   

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY

  • Renewable and non-conventional sources of energy: –

As solar energy is obtained from sun so, this energy is available in earth as long as sun exists. We can use this energy again and again without causing any harm to our surroundings.

  • Eco-friendly, and reliable.

Solar energy doesn’t Pollute our environment after installation. It doesn’t produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, etc.

  • Low maintenance.

Once solar panels are installed, they can go up to 25 years.

  • Install anywhere.

Solar panels are can install anywhere in open fields to on buildings.

  • Provides Green jobs.

The solar sector generates jobs by employing solar manufacturers, and solar installers as result it helps the economy.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY

  • High Initial Cost.

Initially it cost very high for solar material and installation.

  • Needs large space.

Solar panels need lots of space in order to install large no of solar panels.

  • No solar power at night.

We know that it is obtained from sun so as sun is absent at night we can utilize solar power during day time.

  • Only we get D.C current.

Solar energy generates only Direct current it doesn’t generate ac current.

  • Weather dependant.

Solar power depends on the weather. In cloudy days it don’t produce much energy also in winter it produce low power.

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