Solar Energy
Without the sun we would have no life. The sun releases more energy in an hour than
the world uses in an entire year! There is more than enough energy for all of us,
but its power needs to be harnessed.
There are two types of solar panel - Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels or solar water
heating panels.
PV solar panels or “photovoltaic cells” turn sunlight directly into electricity using
chemicals (silicon) inside the individual cells. They produce direct current which
then is converted into AC by using an inverter.
Solar heating panels can be used on people’s homes to directly heat up water for
washing and heating in the house. This works as water is pumped through pipes in
the solar panel. The panels are black so that they can absorb more heat.
Solar power is a renewable form of energy and solar panels do not produce greenhouse
gases. However to create them materials such as silicon are mined and are not renewable,
plus they can be expensive and cause environmental damage in the process. Solar
panels can be on people’s homes or spread out over a large area such as in fields
or in the desert. Mirrors can be used to reflect the sun’s rays and direct them
to one place. Energy created can then be stored in large batteries for use at other
times - for example, when it’s dark! Solar panels are good in remote areas where
it is difficult to get electricity such as in remote parts of Africa and Asia. Camels
in the Sahara desert can be used to carry solar powered fridges. Inside are kept
important medicines that needed to be kept cool. Solar panels are easy to maintain
so once they are there they last a long time. Solar
cells