At present, nonrenewable energy They remain the most widely used in the world, such as oil, natural gas and coal, which come from limited resources and can be depleted over time. Global energy demand continues to increase, and the use of these fossil resources poses serious environmental problems, such as air pollution and climate change.
Despite this panorama, The renewable energies are gaining ground, offering a clean and sustainable alternative. Technologies such as renewable energy wind, geothermal, biomass and, of course, the Photovoltaic Solar Energy are proving to be a viable solution to meet the energy challenges of our time. In this article, we will discuss in detail What is photovoltaic solar energy?, how it is generated and what its main applications are.
what is the photovoltaic energy?
La Photovoltaic Solar Energy It is that which transforms sunlight directly into electricity Through the photovoltaic effect. This process occurs thanks to solar cells, which are devices made with semiconductor materials, such as silicon, capable of converting light energy into electricity.
The term “photovoltaic” comes from the Greek words “photo”, meaning light, and “volt”, which refers to the unit of measurement of electricity. Photovoltaic energy is considered not only a technology clean and renewable, but also one of the most sustainable in the long term. This technology plays a fundamental role in the transition towards a carbon-free energy system, an increasingly urgent objective at a global level.
El silicon is the main material used to make solar cells due to its abundance on Earth and its semi-conductive properties. Other materials, such as cadmium telluride or selenium, are also used in certain varieties of solar cells.
How is photovoltaic solar energy generated?
Photovoltaic solar energy is based on the photoelectric effect. This physical phenomenon occurs when a certain amount of light energy (contained in the photons) strikes the surface of a semiconductor material, such as silicon, releasing electrons. These electrons are captured by an external circuit, generating an electric current.
The devices in charge of this process are the Photo-voltaic cells, which are designed to maximize the capture of photons and, therefore, the production of electricity. When several of these devices are connected together, they form what we know as solar o photovoltaic modules.
The energy conversion process can be described in the following steps:
- Sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells, creating a potential difference between the front and back of the cell.
- The electrons Released by the photoelectric effect, they begin to move through the external circuit, generating an electric current (in the form of direct current).
- Finally, the direct current is transformed into alternating current (CA) through devices called investors, allowing its use in domestic and industrial electrical devices.
It is important to note that the efficiency of photovoltaic cells has been constantly improving, and today you can find panels with efficiencies greater than 20%, which means that more than 20% of the captured sunlight can be converted into electrical energy.
Some more advanced panels, such as those of Thin layer, use materials other than silicon, such as cadmium telluride, which allows for the creation of lighter and more flexible panels. However, these still have a slightly lower efficiency compared to silicon panels.
Uses of photovoltaic solar energy
Photovoltaic solar energy has multiple applications both at domestic and industrial levels, and its versatility has allowed it to be used in various areas that were previously unthinkable.
- Domestic applications: Rooftop photovoltaic installations allow households to generate their own energy, reducing electricity bills and contributing to the sustainability of the environment. These types of applications are often complemented with energy storage systems, such as solar panels. solar batteries, which allow the energy generated during the day to be used at night or during cloudy times.
- Energy in remote locations: Photovoltaic energy is an excellent option to provide electricity in isolated areas or difficult to access, where conventional electrical infrastructure is unfeasible or extremely expensive. This includes rural communities, desalination plants and research stations in desert or polar areas.
- Hybrid systems: In many cases, photovoltaic solar energy is combined with other energy sources, such as wind power, forming hybrid systems that guarantee greater reliability and production capacity.
Additionally, photovoltaic solar energy has applications in the aerospace industry, being the main source of energy for satellites and space stations. Many satellites are equipped with solar panels that allow them to operate autonomously for years, powering their electronic systems in space.
Advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic solar energy
Like any technology, solar photovoltaic energy has both advantages and disadvantages in its application. Below, we analyze the main pros and cons of this form of energy.
- Advantages:
- It is a source of energy cleaning y renewable, which does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation.
- Solar energy is abundant and is available virtually everywhere in the world, especially in areas with high solar radiation.
- Photovoltaic installations require little maintenance and they have a useful life which exceeds 25 years in most cases.
- Disadvantages:
- Photovoltaic systems still depend on the meteorological conditions, which can limit its effectiveness in places with low solar radiation or on cloudy days.
- La intermittence The use of solar energy is a challenge, as energy production only occurs during the day. However, this problem can be mitigated with energy storage systems.
- El initial cost of photovoltaic installations can be high, although prices have been falling significantly in recent years.
Research and technological advances will continue to improve the efficiency and cost of photovoltaic systems, which will make it possible to overcome many of the current barriers. The transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy model clearly involves the expansion of this technology.
Photovoltaic solar energy is already a reality and its use will continue to grow in the coming years, both due to essential improvements in technology and its indisputable contribution to the fight against climate change and global sustainability.