How to Make Use of Solar Energy

How to Make Use of Solar Energy

Solar power is one of the world's primary renewable energy sources. The sun's rays alone produce enough energy to exceed the world's total energy supply by a factor of nearly 10,000! By harnessing just a fraction of that power it is perfectly possible to meet global energy demands despite the continual growth in world population and rising standard of living. But how can we make use of this, one of our most valuable natural energy resources? The answers can be found in technology that exists today - thermal energy transfer technology and light energy transfer technology.

Thermal Energy Technology

Electrical power may be created directly from the sun's heat. Power plants have systems that harness the sun's thermal power by using mirrors to focus the sun's heat energy onto a network of pipes, through which a fluid (water) is pumped. The transfer of thermal energy from the mirrors makes the pipes hot enough to boil the water and thus to create steam. The steam then powers a turbine, which creates electricity. Some solar energy power plants in use today generate enough electricity to power whole cities.

The main issue with thermal energy technologies though is that, for them to work, the sun needs to be shining. When it is cloudy electricity is not generated! For this reason alone its applications are rather limited in the UK - and although it is certainly possible to install such a system at your property for domestic use, one that uses solar light energy to create electrical power is likely to be more cost-effective in the long run.

Solar Light Energy Technology

Converting natural light to electricity is a technology that has been around since the 1950s. Its applications are numerous - from powering something as simple as a calculator to providing energy to spacecraft systems in flight. The most recognised use of this technology however is by way of roof-mounted solar panels.

Solar panels, which are also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, collect light energy from the sun via an array of silicon-based solar cells. When light from the sun strikes those cells an electrical reaction takes place in the silicon at an atomic level. Electrons are knocked free by the light creating positively and negatively charged surfaces. When these surfaces are 'rejoined' by a connector, a current of electricity is generated between the two opposing sides.

Today, solar light energy technology is very advanced. The sun does not even have to shine for solar panels to generate electricity…good news for us then under the mostly cloudy skies of the UK!

Why install Solar (PV) Panels?

Solar (PV) panels represent one of the cleanest forms of energy generation in the world. Once installed a sufficient array of panels can cover off all your electricity needs at your property. You can even sell any excess electricity you generate to the National Grid! Just imagine that…your electricity company will pay you rather than you pay them!!

The main obstacle most people fear overcoming however is the cost of buying and installing solar (PV) panels. It is true that panels are not cheap - some of the most efficient solar panel systems can cost upwards of £15,000. Thankfully the government does offer up to a 50% grant, potentially slashing your initial costs in half. In terms of the savings that you can make on your electricity bill…and the potential for selling your excess to the National Grid, even the most expensive of installations could pay for themselves within 10 years.

Adding weight to the advantages of having such a system installed is the value that roof-mounted solar (PV) panels can add to your property. As these units become more mainstream, and their cost advantages become increasingly apparent to the public, homes with PV panels will become more sought after. Some sellers have already seen their homes rise in value by 6% and more, just because they have the ability to generate their own electricity!