Many environmentalists recommend people switch to solar panels in light of the global environmental crisis. They claim solar energy is the best way to combat carbon emissions and reduce pollution. However, how does solar energy achieve this? What do solar panels do? If you’re considering getting a set of panels, you should first understand how this renewable energy source works.
What Is Solar Energy?
When it comes to the kinds of energy sources we have available, solar energy stands out the most. As the name suggests, it’s the radiation created by the Sun. Furthermore, it can produce heat, cause chemical reactions or generate electricity.
The Sun is an extremely powerful energy source that produces more energy in one hour than the entirety of Earth’s population can use up in a year. Though the Earth’s atmosphere absorbs around 54% of the incoming sunlight, the remaining amount provides more than enough energy to meet everyone’s energy needs.
Another feature that makes solar energy appealing is how clean it is. Traditional energy sources like nuclear energy and fossil fuels require complex machinery and nuclear fission to generate electricity. These processes are very resource-intensive and produce enormous amounts of chemical waste. To save money, the energy industry disposes of this waste into the air and important water sources.
In contrast, solar energy doesn’t generate any toxic waste. It’s a clean energy source that we can’t run out of. Therefore, solar power is classed as being completely renewable. Plus, everyone has access to the Sun, making it the best way for us to meet energy demands worldwide.
What Do Solar Panels Do?
As established, solar energy is definitely the energy source of the future. Although it’s available everywhere, you still need to harness it. This is where solar panels come in. Solar panels are a type of solar architecture that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity.
The panels are made of photovoltaic or solar cells. These cells have a positive and negative side, which are linked with a circuit. When the Sun’s photons hit a solar cell, they force electrons to flow through the connecting circuit and generate electricity.
Most solar panels typically have a capacity of between 1 and 4 kW. They can also generate between 250-400 watts of electricity each hour. However, their output will drastically vary based on several factors, such as their size and the location of your home.
A big misconception when it comes to solar panels is that they stop working when the weather is bad. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Sun never completely disappears, even when it’s overcast. Therefore, while a cloudy day can make the panels work less efficiently, they’ll still be capable of producing sufficient amounts to power a home.
Benefits of Going Solar
Solar panels aren’t just impressive because of their eco-friendly status. They have plenty of other benefits traditional energy sources can’t even begin to match.
- Zero maintenance cost — Solar energy doesn’t need an additional energy source. Therefore, the cost of producing energy as well as maintenance is nonexistent. The only thing you have to pay for is the installation cost—which won’t be unreasonable, especially with a reliable company like Atlantic Key Energy.
- Doesn’t generate noise pollution — Solar panels are very compatible with urban areas because they don’t generate any noise.
- Helps you save money in the long run — With solar panels, you get to produce your own energy without any hidden costs or pay utility fees on what you generate. This helps you save money.
Final Thoughts
When looking at the question: “What do solar panels do?” The answer is a great deal. For one, they absorb sunlight and transform it into electrical energy. Furthermore, they help save the environment by helping you cut back on using non-renewable energy sources and polluting the environment. Overall, they’re the cleanest energy source we currently have, as well as the key part of building a better future.
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