Energy from Sunlight Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Energy from Sunlight - Essay Example Countries which receive a lot of sunlight in a year are in an advantageous position than the countries in the far north who do not receive sufficient sunlight. The term used for the incoming solar radiation striking a surface at a particular time is insolation. According to Solar Energy International, on a clear day, the total insolation striking the earth is around 1000 watts per square meter. (Solar Energy International) One of the ways to make use of solar energy is to use photovoltaic cells. The PV modules using arrays of PV cells is used to power a house. ". The PV modules should point towards the true south in the northern hemisphere. They should be inclined at an angle equal to the latitude of the place., so that they absorb the maximum energy throughout the year".(Hestnes, 27) According to TERI, an organization working for environmental concerns in India," :Solar energy can also be used to meet our electricity requirements. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SVP) cells, solar radiation gets converted into DC electricity directly. This electricity can either be used as it is or can be stored in the battery. This stored electrical energy then can be used at night."(TERI) The uses of the stored electricity generated using solar energy are many. Since it is stored, it can be used at night too. According to TERI, the stored solar energy can be used for "a.) domestic lighting. ,b.)street lighting, c)village electrification, d)water pumping, e)desalination of salty water, f) powering of remote telecommunications repeat stations and g)railway signals." (TERI) If energy is to be stored, then batteries would have to be used. Since the life of batteries are much shorter than the PV modules, it is better to... According to TERI, an organization working for environmental concerns in India,† :Solar energy can also be used to meet our electricity requirements. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SVP) cells, solar radiation gets converted into DC electricity directly. This electricity can either be used as it is or can be stored in the battery. This stored electrical energy then can be used at night.†(TERI)  The uses of the stored electricity generated using solar energy are many. Since it is stored, it can be used at night too. According to TERI, the stored solar energy can be used for â€Å"a.) domestic lighting. ,b.)street lighting, c)village electrification, d)water pumping, e)desalination of salty water, f) powering of remote telecommunications repeat stations and g)railway signals.† (TERI)  If energy is to be stored, then batteries would have to be used. Since the life of batteries are much shorter than the PV modules, it is better to get connected to a grid. Power can be sold   when it is in   excess and bought from the grid when   extra energy is needed .It must be remembered that   the selling rate is always less than the buying rate. Wherever batteries are used, they must be maintained.   Many countries have started using solar energy to augment their energy needs. According to a report in The Chronicle Herald of November 29, 2008, a town is Spain is making use of the space available in the cemetery to set up solar panels , because flat , open sun-drenched land is hard t come by in Santa Coloma de Gramenet.