Talk about Solar

How does solar power work?
Converting sunlight to electrical power.
Solar power cells convert sunlight into electricity, using the energy of speeding photons to create an electrical current within a solar panel.

Photons are created in the center of the sun by the fusion of atoms. It takes a photon about a million years to work its way to the surface of the sun, but once free it is hurled through space so fast that it reaches earth in just eight minutes - after traveling 93 million miles.

Here is some great information, that I found, that I thought everyone would enjoy.

Residential solar panels

Residential solar panels are becoming more and more popular as our search for alternative energy sources expands. As the gas prices go up, many Americans are starting to realize just how finite our supplies of oil and coal really are. Photovoltaic panels are a great way to begin looking for the answers.

Solar Thermal Power Plants

Solar Thermal Power Uses Solar Energy Instead of Combustion
Solar thermal power plants use the sun's rays to heat a fluid to very high temperatures. The fluid is then circulated through pipes so it can transfer its heat to water to produce steam. The steam, in turn, is converted into mechanical energy in a turbine and into electricity by a conventional generator coupled to the turbine.

A Parabolic Trough Power Plant

The Flow of Electricity
When the electrons leave their position, holes are formed. When many electrons, each carrying a negative charge, travel toward the front surface of the cell, the resulting imbalance of charge between the cell's front and back surfaces creates a voltage potential like the negative and positive terminals of a battery. When the two surfaces are connected through an external load, such as an appliance, electricity flows.

How Photovoltaic Systems Operate

Solar Basics
Grade: A. Reason: ready, BUT problems with the print page (blank page)
Energy from the Sun
The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is the sun’s rays (solar radiation) that reach the Earth. This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity.

Radiant energy from the sun has powered life on Earth for many millions of years.

Source: NASA

The sun—that power plant in the sky—bathes Earth in ample energy to fulfill all the world's power needs many times over. It doesn't give off carbon dioxide emissions. It won't run out. And it's free.

So how on Earth can people turn this bounty of sunbeams into useful electricity?

The sun's light (and all light) contains energy. Usually, when light hits an object the energy turns into heat, like the warmth you feel while sitting in the sun. But when light hits certain materials the energy turns into an electrical current instead, which we can then harness for power.

Check out this great information, about home solar power, by Helio Power. It was some great information!

"Utility companies offer numerous incentives to motivate energy users to cut back electricity usage, especially during peak times. Most people find it too complicated and time-consuming to find the most economical programs. Have you ever tried reading the details of your company's utility bill? This is where HelioEMS steps in. We can make the most of your energy reduction efforts and generation programs by monitoring and controlling them to utilize all incentives available.

The first way to look at solar energy is by how it is converted into useful energy. There are two types in this first group...

Passive Solar Energy
Active Solar Energy

The second way look at solar energy is by the type of energy it is converted into. There are three types in this second group...

Solar Thermal Energy
Photovoltaic Solar Power
Concentrating Solar Power

Let's take a closer look at these five types of solar power...

Passive Solar Energy

There are many ways you can use solar to help reduce electrical use in your home; thermal heating, solar electrical systems and passive solar techniques.

Solar thermal uses the sun’s energy to heat water. There are many systems that you could use.

Residential solar thermal
Heat swimming pool with solar

Solar electrical systems generate electricity from the sun and are the most recognized of all renewable and pollution-free energy resources.

I found this information on the Helio Power website. They are really impressive. They seemed to anticipate the questions I had about converting to solar before I had them. The website is excellent. Check out this paragraph below and then check out the site. It is definitely a must read!

"Solar Incentives