Unfortunately, today the most used energies are Non-renewableThose that come from the planet's resources that are going to end up being finished. Fossil resources such as coal, natural gas or oil are the main sources of energy used by humans.
However, there are other types of energies such as wind, biomass, geothermal among others, luckily they are gaining more and more ground. Next we are going to talk about the Photovoltaic Solar Energy: what it is, how it is generated and what applications it has.
WHAT IS THE PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY?
La solar energy It is one that takes advantage of the radiation of the sunlight particles to produce energy. It is a totally clean source of energy, which does not require the use of chemical reactions or causes any type of waste. In addition, it is a renewable energy. The energy of the sun is going to be present eternally, or at least, for many billions of years to come. In short, it is a clean, sustainable and renewable energy. And the big question is: Why is it not more implanted? Human things (Lobbies).
As we say, the Photovoltaic Solar Energy It is the one that transforms the sun's energy into electrical energy. But how does this transformation take place? How is photovoltaic solar energy actually generated?
HOW IS SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY GENERATED?
La Photovoltaic Solar Energy is based on the principle that Energy contained in the light particles (the photons) can be converted to electricity. This is achieved through the so-called photovoltaic conversion process, which we will deal with later.
Broadly speaking, what happens is that, by using a device specially designed for this purpose, we obtain electricity permit thanks to photoelectric effect of sunlight. Generally these devices consist of a semiconductor metallic foil that receives the name of photovoltaic cell or plate.
As a result of this photovoltaic conversion process, is obtained Energy at low voltages (between 380 and 800 V) and in direct current. Subsequently a investor to transform it into alternating current.
The devices where these photovoltaic cells are located are called solar and, for personal or family use, they usually have a price of around 7.000 euros (although prices have dropped and are falling dramatically). Furthermore, these installations have the advantage that they require almost no maintenance. Of course, if you want to maximize their performance, they must be installed in the right place (where there are many hours of sun) and with the proper placement and orientation.
The degree of use of photovoltaic solar energy it is much less than that provided by resources such as oil or natural gas, and it is more or less at the same level of use as wind energy (depending on the geographical area, of course). However, its uses are increasing and today it is already used in very different areas, as we can see in the next section.
USES OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY
- The main uses of photovoltaic solar energy have to do with its ability to transform this energy from the sun into electrical energy. In this sense, there are different forms of use. On the one hand, it can be used to create large amounts of energy that is sold to electricity supply companies. On the other hand, it can also be used individually or with the family, that is, to provide energy at home. Many people install solar panels on rooftops to use solar energy as an alternative energy.
- Another of the main uses that photovoltaic solar energy can have is that it can provide energy in those hard-to-reach sites or where they have difficulties to have electricity, that is, those places with low development rates where they do not have access to power lines.
- Likewise, solar energy is one of the main methods of supplying the satellites that are in orbit in space. Surely we have all seen an image of these satellites, which have solar panels in their structure to take advantage of the energy provided by the sun in space.
- Electric energy can also be used for the construction of hybrid production systems energy, that is, those that combine solar energy with wind, or solar energy with fossil resources.
- Finally, although many people do not know it, photovoltaic solar energy works to produce energy that is used in very different areas: Mobile telephony. radio and television repeaters, road SOS poles, remote control, remote control for irrigation networks, telemetry, radars, radiotelephony in general and for military or forest surveillance posts, rural satellite telephony, telewaves, telephone booths for public use, switching, radio links