Solar energy is simply heat or radiant light from the sun that is harnessed by using a certain range of technologies like Solar power to form solar thermal energy, solar architecture, and solar electricity. To convert solar energy, you use a range of technologies to perform this task. In order words, you can call it Solar conversion.
Solar conversion is technology made to convert Solar energy into other useful forms of energy, such as Heat, fuel, and electricity. Some of these technologies include light harvesting technologies including emerging photovoltaics, solar fuel generation via electrolysis, artificial photosynthesis, semiconductor photovoltaic devices, and related forms of photocatalysis.
All these technologies are aimed at generating energy-rich molecules, which also means converting Solar energy to useful energy. To shade more light on this below is how sunlight is converted to sunlight.
How Solar Is Converted to Solar Energy
Sunlight is converted to solar energy to electricity from photovoltaic cells (solar cells). These cells have a small amount of electric voltage generated when light strikes the junction between a metal and a semiconductor, preferably silicon, or the junction between two different semiconductors.
The power generated by a single solar cell is about two watts. When you connect a large number of individual cells in a solar panel, hundreds of thousands of kilowatts of electric power can be generated in a solar electric plant or large household array.
Small solar cells that run on artificial light or sunlight can power small appliances like torches, calculators, watches, etc. Also, Bigger solar cells can provide power for water pumps, communication for satellites, and weather. The sun Concentrated solar power plants need focusing and concentrating collectors to get sunlight received from a wide area. This sunlight is received by a blackened receiver, this act will increase the light’s intensity to produce high temperatures.
Solar energy is also used for smaller purposes than the ones stated above. In some countries, solar energies are useful to produce salt from seawater. It is also used for the distillation of water but it will be discussed later in this article.
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Uses of Converted Solar Energy
Now, you know how solar is converted. We will be listing a few ways this converted solar energy is useful to us as humans. The conversion of solar energy has many benefits. Like it was mentioned earlier in the passage, when you convert Solar energy it can be used for heat, fuel, and electricity. Below are a few examples of instruments powered by solar energy:
1. Steam Generation System
Over the years, the sun has bombarded the earth with billions of nanoparticles, a lot of energy is stored in them and is used for water heating, space heating, process heat generation, and space cooling. For example, many steam generation systems depend on sunlight as a primary source of heating water, this is greatly beneficial as it has increased the efficiency of most boilers and other waste heat systems. This will help reduce the cost of gas, kerosene, etc.
2. Solar Cookers
The benefits do not end in the heating systems alone, we have cookers that sunlight powers which is only possible when you convert Solar energy. Solar cookers are devices that use sunlight to heat, cook or preserve food materials, and drinks. Solar cookers are relatively inexpensive and can be classified as low-tech devices, some of them are as powerful and expensive as your normal cooking devices.
Most of them are so advanced that they can cook for hundreds of people and are cheaper in the sense that they don’t use fuel, or gas and cost nothing to operate. The major beneficiaries of solar cookers are nonprofit organizations that promote their use, to reduce/ stop air pollution, fuel costs, etc. It’s also impossible to burn food on a solar cooker. In conclusion, it’s a very amazing use of solar energy and is only possible when you convert Solar energy.
3. Solar Distillation
Solar distillation is the process of using the energy from sunlight to separate freshwater from salt and other contaminants. This is possible when the untreated water absorbs heat, while it absorbs the heat it slowly reaches a high temperature and then slowly evaporates, gets cool, and condenses into vapor, leaving the other contaminants behind. We use these distillers in places with untreated water. Especially rural areas. This discovery is/ could be life-changing to areas drinking infected waters and could save lives.
Also see: Best Sources of Energy
Economic Benefit of Converting Solar Energy
There are also economic benefits that come with the conversion of solar energy. Numerous of them will not only favor urban residents but also rural residents. Below are a few:
1. Cost Effective
One of the few economic benefits of when you convert solar energy is that solar energy is a cost-effective form of technology. Meaning that as reliable as it is, it’s still affordable and has a long life span. They’re also options for pay-as-you-go solar, which is simply paying to install mentally while you enjoy your solar installation. It’s something that would help a lot of people in their business and everyday lives.
2. Creation of Job Opportunities
Employment rates are very low and so whenever an opportunity presents itself to eliminate the high number, we welcome it greatly. When you convert solar energy is made into solar technologies, you create job opportunities for people. Solar companies require the services of workers for various positions, this way it helps the community and reduces the unemployment rate, and affects lives positively.
3. New Technologies
Thirdly, solar systems have social benefits in rural areas. Because of the conversion of solar energy to solar units and other solar instruments. Villages or rural areas can have better light, which will prevent them from using kerosene lamps which can cause asthma, and cancer, impair lung function and increase tuberculosis. The use of solar units helps people to solve the cost of fuel and payment of external light distributors.
Solar units present rural residents with the opportunity to choose when they have light or not. In addition to this amazing technology. When you convert Solar energy, you present the opportunity for solar distillation. Like stated earlier in this article, it helps in the treatment of water and runs off solar power. This way rural areas aren’t subjected to poorly treated water and it can prevent illness and death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when you convert Solar energy, then photovoltaic cells once heated by the sun have a lot of electric volts. We use the watt to power a lot of technologies that have multiple advantages and it is beneficial to a lot of people. It can stop the lack of power and help the economy of so many countries.
