Using Solar Power For Lighting At Home
J.R. Ferrara
For more than twenty years, we have been hearing that one day
we would be able to use power of the sun to generate free
electric power for our homes. This is a great promise and could
even become true some day, as the sun gives us more energy in a
day than the world could use in 27 years! To begin with, we
could use the sun’s energy to light our homes, indoors and out,
with no cost other than the charges for the equipment and its
installation.
Let’s see how we can convert solar power to create electricity
for lighting products.
Photovoltaics – Converting Photons to Electrons
Through photovoltaics, which use of semi-conductors, we can
convert sunlight into electricity. And electricity is all it
takes to power our homes.
A photovoltaic cell is made of semi-conductor materials, such
as silicon, that absorb a portion of the sunlight that comes
across it. A number of photovoltaic cells are connected, in
series or parallel, to form a solar panel. The solar energy
produced by these solar panels depends on the number of
individual cells in the panel and the way these cells are
arranged. Cells in a panel are arranged in such a way as to
produce voltages in increments of 12, such as 12 volts, 24
volts, 36 volts, etc.
The streams of energy particles from sunlight are called
photons. Photons generate electricity as they hit the silicon
atoms of the solar cells. Mirrored dishes and Fresnel
lenses--which are concentric rings of segmental lenses--are
used to concentrate photons on the photovoltaic cells and
liberate the electrons on hitting the negatively charged
plates. This flowing of electrons is an electric current, which
can be drawn off for use in lighting.
The advantage of using photovoltaics to generate electricity is
that it is non-polluting. It requires little or no maintenance,
and since it doesn’t have any moving parts, it’s silent during
operation.
For use of electricity at night to light up the homes, indoor
and outdoor, photovoltaic power is stored in deep cycle
batteries. Most photovoltaic systems are designed to supply
electricity when required and have batteries to store
electricity generated by the solar panels. To control their
charge and limit their discharge, these batteries require
electronic devices. As photovoltaics and batteries are DC
devices, photovoltaic systems usually include AC /DC inverters.
You receive AC power supply in standard voltages and frequencies
for use at home.
After the initial cost of the equipment to generate electricity
from solar power, you get to use free electricity to light up
your home.
About The Author: http://www.real-estate-magazine.com
http://www.tech-tips-now.com
See Also:
Index of All
Info on Home: Electrical & Plumbing
Search our site for any Home, Lawn or Garden Info
