What Is Solar Energy?
Any energy derived from the energy of the sun is called solar energy. The process where the optical energy of the Sun is converted to electricity by semiconductor material is the photovoltaic effect. In most cases, what we refer to the solar energy is the energy from the sun that is converted to electricity. However, sun’s energy utilised by solar heaters to warm water is also an application of solar energy.
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As we all know solar energy works with the help of sunlight and is said to be more reliable and long-lasting as the sun is about 4.5 billion years old. It is a renewable energy as it produces electricity by sun’s rays and hence help in generating electricity without making harm to the nature.
The fusion reaction in a sun causes radiation of heat energy, some of which is in our visible range. We can utilize this energy which reaches us by converting the light into electrical energy(Photovoltaic cells) or the heat w/ various devices designed to heat up mediums, like water, for example, to use in various applications.
The 3 key features of Solar Energy are:
- It is sustainable.
- Renewable Energy
- It helps to reduced carbon footprints and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
