What is Solar Power and why you should know
Did you know that in just one hour, our planet receives more energy from the sun than the entire world uses in a year?
Every day, the sun showers our planet with an immense amount of solar energy. In fact, in just one hour, the sun provides more energy than the entire world uses in a year. Now, imagine harnessing a fraction of that energy directly from your rooftop. This solar power produced becomes a source of electricity for all of your appliances from your TV, refrigerator, and more. That’s the power and potential of solar panels.
In this article, you will know more about what is solar power and how this knowledge could be beneficial to you as a homeowner
The Science Behind Solar Power
What is Solar Energy?
Solar power is the conversion of energy we get from the sun into electricity. The sun has been producing energy for billions of years. It is the most important source of energy for life forms. It is a renewable source of energy, unlike non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels.
How Does Solar Power Being Created?
The sun’s light (and all light) contains energy. When this light strikes an object, the energy turns into heat, like the warmth you feel while sitting in the sun. Through the use of solar equipment, this warmth is being processed and then converted to other energy resources such as heat or electricity.
Types of Solar Power Systems
One type of equipment that does the conversion is called solar panels. Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. They are called “solar” panels because most of the time, these devices are used for solar energy conversion. It is composed of cells called solar cells which plays the vital part in the conversion process.
These cells use the photovoltaic effect to convert sunlight directly into electricity. This effect is a physical and chemical phenomenon where a voltage is created in a material upon exposure to light. When sunlight hits the solar cell, photons from the sunlight are absorbed by the atoms in the solar cell. This causes electrons to break loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity.
Another type of equipment used in the system is called solar inverter. A solar inverter is like a translator for your solar system. When the sun shines on your solar panels, they produce a type of electricity called Direct Current (DC). However, most of our homes and appliances use a different type of electricity called Alternating Current (AC).
This is where the solar inverter comes in. It’s a device that takes the DC electricity from your solar panels and converts it into AC electricity that your home can use. So, you can think of it as the bridge between your solar panels and your home, making sure the electricity is in the right form for you to use.
How Does This Article Benefit You As A Homeowner?
As a homeowner, you might have noticed that your utility bills seem to be getting higher each year. In fact, in the United States, residents of Hawaii, Connecticut and Alabama had the highest average monthly utility costs in 2022. On average, the monthly electric bill was around $121.01, the gas bill was about $63.42, and the water bill was approximately $45.44.
Whereas, solar energy can help reduce your utility bills. Research shows that the average household in the U.S. could save up to $1,390.22 per year in energy costs by installing a properly sized solar panel system. This translates to over $115 a month in savings!
No wonder that more and more homeowners are switching to using solar energy as an alternative for electricity to get savings.
Prime Energy Solar As A Solar Power Company
That is why Prime Energy Solar is dedicated in helping homeowners get their own solar independence. Accompanied with years of experience, a wide-range of partners and good reviews, rest assured that you are in the right foot in starting your journey towards solar independent. In addition, the company does not only provide you with solar related services but also has partners for your HVAC and roofing needs. Now that’s a plus right? So, what are you waiting for contact Prime Energy Solar today and experience for yourself the beauty of solar energy.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What’s the difference between solar energy and solar power?
Here’s a definitive answer. Solar energy is a broader term that includes sunlight’s potential for various applications, while solar power is more focused on the practical application of solar energy, particularly in generating electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial use. The distinction lies in the conceptual difference between an energy source (solar energy) and the electricity output (solar power) derived from it.
2. Why is solar energy renewable?
Solar energy is renewable because it is derived from the sun, a limitless source of energy that will continue to radiate light and heat for billions of years. This allows us to use it again and again, just like how we reuse recyclable materials. Unlike finite fossil fuels, solar energy is sustainable and environmentally friendly, as it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or contribute to air pollution.
3. How sustainable is solar energy?
Solar energy is highly sustainable due to its renewability, low environmental impact, and long-term availability. This makes it a reliable source, most specifically with electricity. That is why more and more people are interested in making the transition due to its sustainability.