Solar panels are classified into three primary types: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, which makes research essential before purchasing a solar panel for your home or business. The U.S. Department of Energy states that solar panels are given an efficiency rating based on the percentage of energy the panel is able to effectively capture and convert into usable electricity.
Solar panels transform solar energy into current electricity, which if the prime purpose of any solar energy device. As science and technology forge ahead, there were several types of solar panels invented and distributed within energy industry. Moreover, modern advancements allow production and usage of solar energy not only on large enterprises, but in households. Solar energy becomes more and more available; one of the recent trends is embedding solar panels into small gadgets and devices.
Therefore, the variety of solar panels is likely to encourage major improvements in everyday livelihood.
First of all, solar panels might be classified according to their capacity. Three main types might be recognized:
Universal panels, which might be used in field environments. Such panels are usually appreciated by travelers, who are eager to deal with active and ecotourism.
- Small panels, which are embedded in small devices (such mobile phones, electronics, etc).
- Solar cell panel, which might be usually seen on solar energy plants.
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In addition, the whole range of solar panels might be divided in
three groups according their structure. In this context, there are
photovoltaic cells, solar power stations and solar collectors. Each type
might compete in popularity and distribution, which is why they are
worth considering in details.
Photoelectric converter may be defined as a device processing power
via the photovoltaic effect. Solar panel is formed, when several
photoelectric converters are united. Photoconductivity is a main
factor, which defines optical properties, and, therefore, the
effectiveness of the panel. This phenomenon is preconditioned by the
internal photoelectric effect, which occurs while irradiating the
semiconductor with sunlight. Nowadays the United States are world leader
in usage of photoelectric converters, which hold 405 share on the
global market. A lot of companies also deal with producing materials,
required for photoelectric converters. They are HEMLOCK and USA MEMC,
AsiMi, SGSil (the Unied States), Wacker (Germany), Tokuyama Soda,
Mitsubishi MaterialPoly Si, Sumitomo Titanium (Japan) and Italy MEMC
(Italy).
Solar power plant
is a solar installation, which uses concentrated solar energy to drive
other various machines: steam and gas turbines, thermoelectric cells,
etc. Surprisingly, solar plants are used not only to generate energy,
but facilitate other industries as well. Among other specific purposes
it is appropriate to admit heating and desalination of sea water. The
main point of plants structure is lenses, which help to concentrate
energy. In particular, nowadays they are replaced with large mirrors due
to big weight and high cost of the first ones. Mirrors are usually made
of conventional glass or polished aluminum. Solar power plants are the
prerogative of countries located in tropical areas (Montalto di Castro
PV Power Plant and San Bellino PV Power Plant in Italy, Lopburi PV Power
Plant in Thailand). However, the biggest one is located in Ukraine -
Perovo Solar Power Station.
Solar collecting systems are low-temperature heating units, which are
used for autonomous hot water supply both for residential and
industrial premises.Solar collectors also might be divided into three
types: flat (represented with element-absorber, which absorbs solar
radiation), vacuum (laminated glass coating) and collector-concentrators
(mirror surface).
CONCENTRATED SOLAR
Concentrated
Solar uses reflectors to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a collector.
The collector either stores the heat energy or uses a heat engine to
convert it into mechanical energy.
The range of applications of this technology is enormous, and varies from the small solar cookers, which are becoming popular in developing countries, to vast fields of utility-scale mirrors, such as those employed by Solar Tres, a concentrated solar power (CSP) project slated for construction in Spain. This installation will focus hundreds of times the sun’s energy on a single collector tower, producing 5 megawatts of electricity using liquid sodium as a heat exchanger. Additionally, it will have the fringe benefit of being one of the very few renewable energy technologies to come out of a James Bond Movie. Take that, Biomass!
The range of applications of this technology is enormous, and varies from the small solar cookers, which are becoming popular in developing countries, to vast fields of utility-scale mirrors, such as those employed by Solar Tres, a concentrated solar power (CSP) project slated for construction in Spain. This installation will focus hundreds of times the sun’s energy on a single collector tower, producing 5 megawatts of electricity using liquid sodium as a heat exchanger. Additionally, it will have the fringe benefit of being one of the very few renewable energy technologies to come out of a James Bond Movie. Take that, Biomass!
Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com