The energy of the Sun
Among renewable energy sources, solar radiation on the scale of resources, environmental friendliness and the widespread prevalence of the most promising.
The history of the solar radiation starts since 1839, when French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel discovered photovoltaic effect. Have since been trying to make devices that could give the greatest effect from the use of solar radiation.
There are following ways to generate electricity and heat from solar radiation:
• Getting electricity through photovoltaic cells.
• Geothermal energy - the heating surface, absorbing the sun's rays and the subsequent distribution and use of heat (focusing sunlight on a vessel with water for later use hot water heating or steam electricity generators).
• Thermo-air power - converting solar energy into the air stream being sent to the turbine generator.
• Solar Balloon Power - generation of water vapor inside the container balloon by heating the surface by solar radiation balloon coated with selective absorbing coating. Advantage - the stock steam in the cylinder is sufficient for power at night and in inclement weather.
To convert sunlight into electricity using solar panels, which first used in space exploration in 1957. Solar panels were installed on the satellite and generate electricity for its operation.
To date, the use of solar PV modules for electricity generation is very promising. Photovoltaic elements can be installed on different vehicles - boats, electric and hybrid cars, airplanes, etc. Photovoltaic cells produce electricity, which is used for onboard power supply of the vehicle, or for electric motor vehicles. In some countries, photovoltaic cells installed on the roof of the railway trains - they generate electricity for air conditioners, lighting and alarm systems. Also, in countries where electrical power is expensive and a sufficient number of sunny days per year, the owners of private houses and office owners install solar panels on the roofs of buildings and use solar electricity. Sun replaces 40-60% of the cost of other energy resources. But in remote places, where to hang the cable from the power plants is very expensive, and sometimes impossible, the use of solar energy is almost the only way to get electricity.
Another device, which is widely used for domestic purposes, is a solar collector. Solar collectors can be used for cooking. The temperature in the focus of the collector reaches 150 ° C, and the cost of materials needed to manufacture a solar cooking "immeasurably small.
Thus, the conversion of solar energy into electricity has many advantages. First of all it's 100% reliability - scientists project the sun from us not go anywhere yet few million years. Also, it is pure and therefore safe for the health of the energy source that is cost competitive with traditional ways of obtaining electricity.