SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy is a renewable form of
energy that can be converted to heat and the generating of electricity. This is
the energy gotten from the sunlight through solar panel. The generated
electricity gotten from the sun can be used to power many things not only home
appliances but industries and many other sectors uses solar energy in day to
day activities.
The rapid growth in technology have
help in making life very easy, as solar energy can be used in the house to power
many things. Solar power is one of the fastest growing renewable energy in the
world. This is the energy that can be installed anywhere there is sunlight
unlike other sources of power that can be only constructed in a particular
place.
SOLAR POWER BATTERY
Solar power uses battery as a storage, and it is important to
use a solar battery as a backup to make it more reliable. Also there are some
solar that does not use battery, like the one used in home and many others.
There are some advantages and disadvantages of using and not using solar
battery.
Some advantages
of using battery: it has power backup, cost saving, long duration energy
storage and energy efficiency, it is good for remote areas, etc.
Disadvantages
of not using solar battery: non power backup, it is not suitable for areas with
frequent power outages, there is no energy independence, etc.
TYPES OF SOLAR POWER
Solar power
is divided into some categories due to the places they are used and what they
are used for. These categories are: solar thermal energy, passive solar power,
concentrated solar power and photovoltaic solar power. Types of solar panels:
mono-crystalline solar panels, thin film solar panel, bifacial solar panels (it
absorb sunlight from both sides), etc.
Many countries in the world today
use solar power to generate electricity. Solar energy is not limited to a
country or continent but it is use everywhere in the world in as much there is
sunlight. About five countries in the world are the highest in the use of solar
energy. These countries are: china, united states, European unions, Japan and
India. Note: countries that uses solar are more than these. These countries are
just selected as the highest in the use of solar energy.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
SOLAR AND HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY
·
Solar
energy is gotten from the sun light while hydroelectric energy is gotten from
moving waters, like lakes, rivers, dams etc.
·
Solar
energy is generated through solar panels which convert it to electricity while,
hydroelectric energy is generated through turbines which convert water kinetic
energy into electricity.
·
Solar
energy sources can be installed anywhere there is sunlight exposure while,
hydroelectric requires a suitable water resources.
·
Solar
energy is stored in battery banks or grid tie system while, hydroelectric is
stored in a natural reservoirs or pumped storage hydro.
·
Solar
energy is very affordable and low cost in maintenance but hydroelectric energy
is very expensive and also cost high in maintenance.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
·
Low
maintenance cost
·
Very
easy to install
·
Very
fast in deployment
·
Wide
spread availability
·
It
can be installed anywhere not only a particular place.
·
It
can be installed in a house or industries
DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
·
Land
requirements
·
It
has high initial investment
·
It
does not help in flood control.