Things you didn't know about solar energy

Are you looking for new sources of renewable energy and sustainable variants to replace energy consumption? Solar energy is one of the useful solutions, it is cheap compared to other energy sources and is renewable. Solar energy is transformed into electricity that can be used with the help of A Photovoltaic system.

The most abundant energy resource on earth, solar energy, can be used and transformed into energy that can be used by energy with the help of systems photovoltaic panels or some systems of solar thermal panels.

What is solar energy

Solar energy is, therefore it suggests the name, the energy given by the sun, which not only illuminates the surface of our planet, but warms it. Each photon (the particle of sunlight) that reaches the earth feeds life.

How is solar energy produced?

Scientifically speaking, solar energy is the radiant energy produced in the sun due to nuclear fusion reactions and transmitted from space to earth through photons. This energy interacts with the atmosphere and surface of the earth.

In other words, solar energy is that type of energy produced directly by transferring the energy radiated by the sun, which can be used today as a green energy source for the production of electricity or heating the air from the buildings.

24 things you didn't know about sun energy:

• Solar energy is free and renewable;
• Ideally, the solar energy that reaches the earth in an hour could cover the total consumption of the planet for a year (about 120 Terawati);
• 20 days of sunshine are equivalent as a quantity of energy produced with all the energy from natural gas and coal on earth;
• Solar energy is that type of energy with the fastest growth globally – for 2023 4 million installations/systems are estimated only in the United States;
• Solar energy is the cheapest source of energy in the world: the cost of solar panels has decreased by over 80% from 2008 to today;
• The concept of recovery of solar energy is mentioned for the first time by Leonardo da Vinci in the fifteenth century;
• The photovoltaic effect was discovered in 1839, the first cell of the solar panel was created in 1941 and the first commercial panel arrived on the market in 1954;
• The efficiency of the solar panels is increasing: starting from an initial efficiency of 6%, they have reached an efficiency of over 20%today;
• Most solar panels use silicon as raw material;
• The second most abundant element in the terrestrial cortex, silicon is an economic and efficient energy-style cells made in a ton of material produces the same energy of 500,000 tons of coal;
• The silicon panels in a single crystal are more efficient than 5% than the polycrystalline panels;
• Solar panels can produce energy without the direct sunlight on the direction in which they are positioned, even in a day with cloudy skies, the cells of the solar panel can capture any reflected shadow;
• The solar energy produced by the panels can use a family without problems, even one with air conditioners or other large appliances;
• The profitability threshold for solar panel systems, known as the «Solar profit period», is reached in less than a decade, profitable if you think that a panel system has a 25 -year -old guarantee;
• Once mounted, the solar panel system increases by at least 4.1% of the market value of your home (if you want to sell it);
• Solar energy reduces the toxic pollution caused by the combustion of fossil fuels (75 million barrels of oil and 35 million tons of CO2 no longer reach the atmosphere);
• The photovoltaic panels (solar PV) transform sunlight into electricity, while the solar thermal panels heat the water, absorbing the heat of the sun;
• The transformation of solar energy into electricity is performed by a process called photovoltaic effect;
• Solar panels can feed airplanes: there are companies that currently invest in projects to build 100%solar energy;
• You can upload your personal car with the help of solar energy: if you own an electric vehicle and a charger for the home, you can associate and significantly reduce the carbon footprint;
• You can use the solar energy you live at sea or in the mountains, because panel systems work as well, regardless of the altitude, it is perfect and if you have a satellite;
• From the point of view of the installation time, solar panels are the fastest energy source: the actual installation can request 1 day;
• The maintenance costs of a solar panel are relatively small compared to the benefits.

The advantages of solar energy

Whether we are talking about the electric or thermal component, green energy gains popularity relatively quickly, because it reduces network consumption, reduces invoices and increases energy independence.

Here are some advantages, if you decide to transmit green with the help of the sun:

• It is possible to produce both electricity through a system of photovoltaic panels, as well as thermal energy using solar thermal panels;
• Solar energy is renewable and non -polluting;
• Solar energy is one of the fastest and most cheap energy sources in the world.

Disadvantages of solar energy

Before choosing to mount a system of photovoltaic or thermal solar panels in the family or in the company building, it is necessary to consider a series of details that could limit the benefits obtained normally:

• The shape and inclination of the roof and orientation – for the best results, the roof must be oriented to the south and inclined at 30 degrees;
• The roof should be without shadow: vegetation toilet that could cover/shade the panels to be constantly made;
• Excessive meteorological exposure (wind, rain, burnt, etc.) can affect the long -term performance of panel systems;
• The generation of electricity by the systems of the photovoltaic panel is based on the alternative night, the need for batteries/ Solar panel batteries The storage of the excess of energy obtained during the day, for use during the night.

Solar energy distribution map in Romania

Romania's geographical position causes our country to have a high potential in terms of solar energy. Most of the families who have chosen to capture solar energy for their use produces hot water and in recent years more and more families have equipped photovoltaic panels for the production of electricity.

The solar energy distribution map in Romania shows that over 50% of the territory offers an average flow of annual solar radiation which varies between 1300-1500 kwh/m2 in the case of solar panels mounted horizontally and between 1400-1700 in the case of panels at the angle of optimal inclination. As for the monthly values, sun radiation reaches the maximum values ​​in June respectively 1.49 kWh/SQM/day and minimum values ​​in February 0.34 kwh/sqm/day. The maximum production level is at noon («solar time») and the reference value (recorded maximum) is 1000 W/m².

The reduction of invoices for electric and thermal energy, but also of dependence on the centralized system, can be made relatively easily with the help of solar energy, a renewable and clean source. Choose informed! See how many photovoltaic panels are needed to feed a house.

If you have questions about this article or if you want to discover more information on photovoltaic products, we invite you to contact us by phone 0374.477.207 or email@zonetecsolar.ro.