What is Solar Energy? – Types and Use

Solar energy is that which comes from the Sun’s rays. This star emits electromagnetic radiation that reaches the Earth in the form of light and heat. Each year our planet receives 180 trillion kilowatts of power from the Sun, although some of it is returned to space by reflection from the atmosphere. It means that 1 kilowatt per square meter on a sunny day can reach the Earth’s surface.

Solar energy is the primary source of our weather systems and energy sources on Earth. An amount of solar radiation reaches the planet’s surface every hour to cover our global energy wants for almost an entire year. One characteristic that defines so6lar energy is that it can be harnessed and converted for use through solar or photovoltaic collectors.

Types of Solar Energy

Solar Thermal Energy

uses sunlight to generate heat. It can be applied both domestically and industrially. This type of renewable energy requires an installation made up of solar collectors on the roof of the house or large tracts of land in a solar thermal power plant. These collectors transform thermal energy into mechanical energy, thus generating electricity.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy

its production is one of the simplest that exists in the field of green energies. For this reason, its use and application are widespread, mainly in those areas where daylight hours predominate. Its installation comprises photovoltaic solar panels made up of silicon cells that convert sunlight into energy, directing it to the electrical network for use.

Active Solar Energy

This type of renewable energy is what is used for domestic use. It can be used to produce air currents for ventilation or cooling.

Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy

its use requires the installation of lenses or mirrors that concentrate a large amount of sunlight on a small surface. This type of renewable energy transforms light into heat, driving a thermal engine to generate an electric current.

What Uses does Solar Energy Have?

Suppose we consider Greenpeace’s estimations that photovoltaic solar energy will be able to source. Electricity for two-thirds of the population in 2030. The World Energy Council believes that by the year 2100, 70% of the power will be able to source from electricity consumed will be of solar origin. In that case, it is not. It is worth revising some of the most gainful applications of this renewable.

Electricity

It is the most straightforward application. Thanks to a photovoltaic panel, you can harness the Sun’s energy to generate electricity. Your board can store what is generated in batteries or be directly connected to the network. It will be use to feed, for example, the energy consumption (or at least part of it) of your home, your hotel, or your company.

Hot Water

In sunny areas, such as most Latin American countries or Spain, it can use to heat water through solar collectors that produce heat. In this case, we are speaking about thermal solar energy panels in which the water remains heated and can remain used in homes (hotels and hospitals). For showering or cooking, and can also use for heating.

Solar Heating and Cooling

We call ‘solar cold’ ecological air conditioning, which can represent savings of up to 70% of energy thanks to clean energy consumption. And also, it is use to produce this eco air conditioning through two methods. It is collect through photovoltaic panels that activate the cooling equipment or through solar collectors that t

That is for the summer. In winter, the heating can also be solar, as we mention in the previous section, thanks to solar thermal systems, where the water is heat, which can be store for heating or even for heated pools.

On the other hand, some persons have it all in one, with solar panels capable of storing energy and converting it into cold or heat.

Plantation Irrigation

If the irrigation of plantations has been a plan and done by drip so as not to wastewater for a long time. Solar pumps allow the best use of water even in the best remote places and in need of water.

There are several kinds of solar irrigation: those with constant pressure, which do not need batteries or accumulation of water but are power directly by solar panels; those with pivot movement for large farms (the pivot movement is power by photovoltaic energy); direct solar pumping (without batteries, only with panels); or fully automated irrigation thanks to solar panels.

Outdoor Lighting

Thanks to solar panels, gardens, paths, and also, roads can be illuminated by harnessing the Sun’s energy without power lines.

During the day, the energy is produced and stored, and at night it is used to illuminate these exteriors. Each point can have its autonomy with a small plate, or there can be a vital that collects solar energy (although this requires more space and wiring infrastructure). LED lights work in these cases as economic light emitters with a long useful life.

Conclusion

Solar power uses the captured sunlight to create photovoltaics or concentrated solar power for solar heating. This energy conversion enables energy from the Sun to be used in lights, heaters, swimming pools, etc.