Solar Energy
Solar energy is the readily and most easily available source of energy on Earth. It is also the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy available. Solar energy involves the harnessing of the light and heat from the sun using a wide range of ever evolving technologies like solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity etc. It is an important source of non-conventional source of energy as it does not cause any pollution and helps in reducing the greenhouse effect.
Solar Panels
Solar panels, which directly convert solar energy into heat
Concentrating Solar Power
Concentrating solar power focuses solar radiation using arrays of mirrors to superheat fluid, which is then used to generate electricity.
Advantages
FREE
Though expenditure has to be incurred in constructing collectors which can trap the solar radiation and convert it into electricity. However, the cost of construction is only one time, thereafter which the use of solar energy is largely free.
RELIABLE
The sun is constant and has been producing energy for billion of years and will continue to do so. Solar energy is also a renewable source of energy. It can be used over and over again and does not deplete over time.
CLEAN
It does not involve burning of fossil fuels to generate power and hence does not pollute. The burning of fossil fuels generate harmful gases into the atmosphere which causes phenomenas like global warming.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Solar cells that produce solar power need very little maintenance, as they do not have any moving parts. They last for a long time, sometimes more than thirty years. It is also economical, as the cost on maintenance is saved to a great extent.
VERSATILE
Solar energy is also very versatile, it can be used to power a wide range of things.
RENEWABLE
Fossil fuels are fast depleting since they are non renewable. Hence, it is essential to shift to a more sustainable and long lasting source of energy.
Solar Cells
Solar cells convert solar energy directly into electricity
Disadvantages
LIMITED
Solar energy requires insolation by the sun to be utilizied, and in that sense can be used only during the day time. On cloudy days or at night, there may not be enough sunlight to generate electricity, hence a back up is essential.
COSTLY
Solar panels and cells are costly to produce, however due to improving technology of production, the cost is falling.
EFFICIENCY
Solar panels can currently only convert a maximum of 34% ( and around 22% for the majority of panels) of the available sunlight into electrical energy, although more efficient panels are being developed
HEAVY UTILITY
Sunlight is diffused, as a result of which a large number of solar panels are required to produce adequate amount of electricity, leading to requirement of large spaces and heavy resources.
Applications
Solar Paint
A nanoscale mixture of photovoltaic components that can be painted or sprayed on to any number of surfaces to create cheap, efficient solar cells. A team of researchers from the University of Alberta developed this cost-effective paint where in they made use of zinc and phosphide nanoparticles. This discovery maybe an important step to make solar power more accessible to parts of the world which face a high power costs.
Solar Trash Can
These trash cans were designed to reduce the impact of trash in cities with growing populations and increasing waste. It was designed by BigBelly Solar. These trash cans are powered by the sun and they compact the trash periodically and creates space for more garbage. It also lowers the operating costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions asociated with garbage collection.
Solar Desert Structure
This structure brings solar technology into a context of art, beauty and architecture. These solar panels are capable of generating up to 10 MW of electrical power for the local community, on a sunny day. This structure also helps to shelter the visitors from the hot sun. this structure was designed by architect Michael Jantzen. The basic structure would be constructed from a series of prefabricated panels, each fitted with a steel support frame, and covered with a colored concrete composite skin. These panels can be added or removed to scale the structure up or down and/or to change the shape at any time. The south facing panels will be covered with shadow tolerant, non-glass high temperature performance photovoltaic film.