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What are the types of solar energy - their cons and pros

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 What are the types of solar energy?


Solar energy offers great advantages compared to the traditional energy systems used now, as the energy provided by the sun to the earth for an hour can meet global energy needs for an entire year.

Solar energy is considered one of the best and least expensive sources of energy in the world, given that it is readily available and renewable continuously. However, as of 2018, less than 2% of the electricity produced globally came from solar energy, historically because solar energy harvesting has been expensive and relatively inefficient. But over the past two decades, the equation has changed dramatically, with wind and solar energy combined for the first time accounting for more than 10% of global electricity in 2021.

New technological developments over the past twenty years have led to an increase in reliance on solar energy after it contributed to increasing the efficiency of solar panels, which in turn led to a significant reduction in costs, in addition to the presence of a greater number of potential consumers, and the growth of companies operating in the field of cell manufacturing. solar technology development.


How is electricity generated from solar energy?


Solar panels are usually made of silicon composite material in a metal plate frame with a glass enclosure. When photons or light particles from the sun strike the thin layer of silicon on top of the solar panel, this photovoltaic charge generates an electric current (specifically, a current). direct or direct current), which is captured by the wires in the solar panels, and then this electricity is converted into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electrical current used when you plug appliances into a regular wall outlet.


What are the types of solar energy and how do they work?


Solar Energy is a popular choice for many consumers, companies, and institutions seeking to obtain environmentally friendly energy, in addition to saving on electricity bills, as solar energy provides enough energy to meet the annual consumption needs in the world every 50 minutes. But the challenge is to collect a share (no matter how small) of this heat and radiant energy and convert it into a source of energy (electricity) to operate small electronic devices, homes, and cities.

For these different needs, there are different types of solar energy whose functions and operational benefits differ according to their purpose, including:


Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems 

Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems, also known as Solar Cell Systems, are one of the most widely used types of solar energy systems. It is a system that generates electricity directly from sunlight, and you find it installed on The roofs of residential or commercial buildings, or they are deployed on racks fixed to the ground, or what is known as solar farms that extend thousands of kilometers.


Concentrated solar energy systems

Concentrated Solar systems are a system that is mainly installed on a large scale to provide electricity to the grid, by installing curved or flat mirrors over vast land areas to convert sunlight into heat, then this thermal energy is directed through a generator that Converting the resulting heat into mechanical energy to generate electricity.

CSP stations are divided into two parts: the first part is related to collecting solar energy and converting it into heat, while the second part focuses on converting thermal energy into electricity. This type of system is more suitable for areas where sunlight is available for long periods of time and over large areas, such as some Countries that have vast desert areas.


Solar thermal systems

Thermal Solar Energy, also known as Solar Water Heating, uses the sun's energy to heat water. Basically, the design includes two main parts: a water storage tank and a solar collector, which consists of cells and Solar panels installed on roofs facing the sun. The collector and storage tank are connected through small pipes that carry water. When the solar collector absorbs the heat of the sun, it heats the water that passes through the pipes. The storage tank is then used to store this hot water.

Compared to photovoltaic solar energy, solar thermal energy is more efficient, as the production efficiency of energy generated by solar thermal energy can reach up to 70%. In addition, the technology is much less complex, which makes it ideal for heating water.


Passive solar systems

In every home there are certain areas that receive more sunlight than others, so incorporating solar technology, such as walls, roofs and floors that absorb the sun's heat can meet the energy needs of a home. Hence, passive solar heating systems, also known as (daylight), are suitable for generating electricity to light a small house.

Where this system works by these elements (walls and ceilings) absorbing heat during the day, and when the sun goes down and the environment becomes cooler, it releases the heat slowly, so a smartly designed building with good ventilation using solar technologies will never have heating problems during the seasons Cold, yet research shows that integrating passive solar heating systems into a new building can increase costs by up to 0-3%.

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Advantages of solar energy


Solar energy offers great advantages compared to the traditional energy systems used now, as the energy provided by the sun to the earth for an hour can meet global energy needs for an entire year. The following are the main advantages of solar energy:


Renewable and unlimited resources: 

The amount of solar energy currently available is amazing, as it represents nearly 10 thousand times what humans currently need, and it is constantly being replaced, and it is considered the third largest technology for generating renewable electricity after hydroelectric power and wind energy.


Low Carbon: 

Solar panels do not cause any pollution. Although it has environmental costs during manufacturing, the environmental impact is negligible, when compared to the damage done by conventional energy sources, such as fossil fuels that release approximately 33 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.


Appropriate for rural, off-grid areas: 

For the millions of people who live in darkness, solar energy can significantly enhance the quality of life, especially in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 660 million people still lack access to electricity.


Reducing environmental and health costs: 

People in developing countries and refugees in camps usually depend on fuel-based lighting, which causes significant health and environmental costs, as they become exposed to the risk of indoor air pollution, in addition to the carbon dioxide emissions that these sources emit, making them the solution The cleanest and most applicable to prevent environmental degradation.


Always have electricity: 

Many homeowners prefer solar energy because it is virtually immune from potential failures of energy supply companies, especially when political or economic unrest, natural disasters, or power outages occur due to overuse.


Saving on bills in the long term: 

Solar energy is economical, and although installing solar cells requires a high initial expense, this cost is quickly offset by savings on future energy bills.


Disadvantages of using solar energy


By virtue of the development of solar cell manufacturing technology, in addition to competitive prices and the development of battery sizes, solar energy has become the main source of energy in many countries of the world, which has transformed solar energy into a more efficient source of clean energy. However, there are several negative aspects when using solar energy, Of which:


Cost: 

Installing a solar energy system entails paying for solar panels, batteries, cables, and installation, which adds up to a very hefty initial cost.


Weather conditions disturbances: 

Solar panels depend on sunlight to collect solar energy effectively, so the presence of clouds or rain can have a noticeable effect on the amount of energy that can be collected.


The necessity of having space: 

The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, which in turn requires a lot of space, whether on the roof of the house or the outdoor patio.

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Solar energy storage methods


How solar energy is stored can be divided into three general categories:


1- Electrochemical storage (batteries)

Feeding the battery with electrolytes causes a chemical reaction to occur and energy is stored. When it is discharged, this chemical reaction is reversed, causing an electric current to flow to power the device. The most common electrochemical storage method is lithium-ion battery cells, as well as other common options, such as lead-acid batteries acid, sodium, and nickel.


2- Thermal storage

In solar thermal energy storage systems, a liquid such as water or molten salt is used to store heat, which is then stored in an insulated tank until it is needed, typically in industrial parks for heating, cooling, or power generation.


3- Mechanical storage

Mechanical storage methods convert excess electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is converted back into electricity for later use. There are three mechanical energy storage systems:


  • Flywheel: This technology creates electricity quickly during periods of high demand by spinning a flywheel with excess electricity.

  • Pumped Hydro: In this method, water is pumped up to a tank located above the turbine generators. The water is then allowed to flow through the turbines and generate electricity when demand is high.

  • Compressed Air: This system uses compressed air to provide energy when demand is at its highest. The air is forced into a sizable vessel, like a tank or underground formation, and then it is let out.

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