Content Writer
There are numerous uses of solar energy in our daily life. Among these, the main uses of solar energy are solar photovoltaics, solar heating and solar electricity for electricity, cooling, and heating.
- Another important use of solar energy in our daily life includes cooking food.
- Solar energy is a form of energy that is radiant light from the sun.
- The energy is harnessed using technologies such as solar power to generate electricity and solar thermal energy.
- Sun is considered an important source of renewable energy.
- The amount of solar energy radiant on the earth's surface is greater than what the world requires to meet its daily needs.
- This energy is utilised by plants in the process of photosynthesis.
- A solar cell is a non-mechanical device that directly converts sunlight directly into solar energy.
Key Terms: Uses of Solar Energy, Solar Energy, Photovoltaics, Sun, Solar Cell, Solar Heating, Thermal Power, Semiconductors, Thermal Energy, Electricity, Solar Panels
What is Solar Energy?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Solar energy is the cleanest and most renewable source of energy available. Adding to it, solar energy is light and heat that comes from the sun. People harness the sun's energy and convert this sunlight into electricity.
- It is one of the most powerful sources of energy.
- If solar energy is properly harnessed, then it carries the potential to meet the satisfaction and requirements of future energy needs.
- It was developed 100 years ago.
- Earlier, the energy was used to drive machinery in industries.
- A magnifying glass can be used to generate electricity by the use of solar energy.
- Edmond Becquerel invented the photovoltaic effect, which converts sunlight into solar energy.
Formation of Solar Energy
The formation of solar energy has a procedure. The procedure is:
- Photovoltaic cells are the main ingredient in generating solar electricity.
- When light strikes these photovoltaic cells, they generate a small amount of electric voltage.
- These photovoltaic cells are made up of metal and one or two semiconductors.
- The electric voltage is generated when the light strikes the junction of the metal and the semiconductor.
- One photovoltaic cell can produce approximately two watts of power.
- In solar energy plants, a large number of photovoltaic cells are connected to a panel to generate solar power.
- Hundreds and thousands of kilowatts of power are generated from a solar panel.
- Hence, solar energy is converted into electricity using a huge number of photovoltaic cells.
Solar Energy
Read More:
| Chapter Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Cell | Uses of Solar Panel | Renewable Energy |
Uses Of Solar Energy
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The major uses of solar energy are as specified:
Solar Electricity
The solar panels are connected with polycrystalline silicon, which generates a small electrical charge. As sunlight is converted to electricity, the DC current generater is sent to an inverter, which converts the DC current to AC power.
Solar Heating
The floating blanket is a heating device that absorbs the sun's heat and transmits it to the water.
Solar Water Heating
Rooftop heat collection panels are hot water systems that heat water with no mechanical pump components but only by operating the simple physics of heat naturally rising.
Solar Ventilation
Roof vent fans with a feature of a small panel of photo-electric cells that operates the fan motor with zero electrical currents. Small roof-mounted units are used for keeping a garage, shed, doghouse, or chicken coop cool in the summer season.
Solar Lighting
The solar panels charge the batteries during the day and later glow the lights throughout the night.
Portable Solar Heater
Portable heater are completely waterproof panels, including the solar charge controller, so can be used in any weather conditions.
Solar Transportation
Solar transportation or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle that is powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy.
Solar Energy used in Industries
Solar Energy is used in industries to drive the heavily built machinery and technology. It also provides protection to pipes from the reaction caused by the process of corroding.
Solar Energy used in Cooking
Solar Energy is used in cooking by replacing traditional ovens with a solar oven or solar cookers. Solar cookers can used for indoor or outdoor cooking. They require sun rays to cook food.
Solar Energy used in Charging of Batteries
Solar Energy can be harnessed to charge batteries, which can be used later when the sun is not shining. This can be done by installing solar panels on the roof of the vehicles.
- This will help in reducing the consumption of electricity.
Also Check: Difference between Watts and Volts
Uses Of Solar Energy
Advantages of Solar Energy
[Click Here for Previous year's Questions]
The advantages of generating and using solar energy are as follows:
- Solar energy is the cleanest and most non-polluting form of energy.
- It will last as long as the sun exists on Earth.
- This is the most renewable source of energy.
- Solar energy is stored in batteries and can be changed into other forms of energy.
- This is the most reliable source of energy.
- Energy also helps save electricity bills.
- It is free and accessible to anyone.
Also Check: The relation Between Watts and Volts
Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The disadvantages of generating and using solar energy are as follows:
- The initial cost of installation of solar energy is high.
- It is a form of intermittent energy source.
- The solar panel takes up a lot of space during installation.
- A small amount of pollution is generated during manufacture, transport, and installation.
- Solar energy is not a perfect source of energy if the user plans to relocate.
Also Check:
| Chapter Related Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Types of Energy | The Principle of Conservation of Energy |
Things to Remember
- The use of solar energy in our daily lives requires the conversion of electricity using a huge number of photovoltaic cells.
- Photovoltaic cells are the main ingredient in generating solar electricity.
- Solar energy is the cleanest and most renewable source of energy available.
- If solar energy is properly harnessed, then it carries the potential to meet the satisfaction and requirements of future energy needs.
- It is free and accessible to anyone but not perfect if the user plans to relocate.
Important PYQs Based On Solar Energy
- Amount Of Solar Energy Received On The Earths…. [JEE Main 2000]
- Solar Energy Is Due To… [NEET 1992]
- The Material Used In Solar Cells Contains…. [JEE Mains 1993]
- In Vertical Circular Motion The Ratio Of Kinetic… [MHT CET 2016]
- A Ring And A Disc Roll On The Horizontal Surface….. [MHT CET 2016]
- A Body Of Mass 5 M Initially At Rest Explodes Into… [VITEEE 2013]
- The Potential Energy Of A Simple Harmonic Oscillation….. [AP EAPCET 2018]
- The Orbit Of Geostationary Satellite Is Circular…… [BIT SAT 2008]
- The Energy Equivalent Of 05 G Of A Substance Is… [NEET 2020]
- The Energy In MeV Is Released Due To… [JIPMER 2004]
- Two Point Charges Q And Q Are Located At Points…. [BITSAT 2009]
- A Ball Is Thrown With A Kinetic Energy E At An… [AMUEEE 1998]
Sample Questions
Ques. What is solar energy? (3 marks)
Ans. Solar energy is the cleanest and most renewable source of energy available. Adding to it solar energy is light and heat that comes from the sun. People harness the sun's energy and convert this sunlight into electricity.
- It is one of the most powerful sources of Energy.
- If solar energy is properly harnessed then it carries the potential to meet the satisfaction and requirements of future energy needs.
Ques. What is solar heat technology? (2 marks)
Ans. Solar heat energy is a process to collect and utilize the heat of the sun. Solar thermal power plants are one of the technologies that use the heat of the sun and generate steam and use it to generate electricity.
Ques. How is solar energy formed? (4 marks)
Ans. The formation of solar energy has a procedure. The procedure is:
- Photovoltaic cells are the main ingredient in generating solar electricity.
- When light strikes these photovoltaic cells, they generate a small amount of electric voltage.
- These photovoltaic cells are made up of using metal and semiconductors or two semiconductors.
- The electric voltage is generated when the light strikes the junction of the metal and the semiconductor or two semiconductors.
- One photovoltaic cell can produce approx two watts of power.
- In solar energy plants, a large number of photovoltaic cells are connected to a panel to generate solar power.
- From a solar panel, hundreds and thousands of kilowatts of power are generated.
- Hence, solar energy is converted into electricity using a huge number of photovoltaic cells.
Ques. What is solar distillation? (2 marks)
Ans. Solar distillation is a procedure in which brackish water and saline water are converted into potable water. This is also done with the help of a solar still.
Ques. List five uses of solar energy? (5 marks)
Ans. The major uses of solar energy are as specified:
- Solar electricity - the solar panels are connected with polycrystalline silicon, which generates a small electrical charge. As sunlight is converted to electricity, the DC current generated is sent to an inverter, which converts the DC current to AC power.
- Solar heating - the floating blanket is a heating device that absorbs the sun's heat and transmits it to the water.
- Solar water heating - rooftop heat collection panels are hot water systems that heat water with no mechanical pump components but only by operating the simple physics of heat naturally rising.
- Solar ventilation - roof vent fans with a feature of a small panel of photo-electric cells that operates the fan motor with zero electrical currents. Small roof-mounted units are used for keeping a garage, shed, doghouse, or chicken coop cool in the summer season.
- Solar lighting - the solar panels charge the batteries during the day and later glow the lights throughout the night.
Ques. What are the disadvantages of solar energy? (3 marks)
Ans. The disadvantages of generating and using solar energy are as follows:
- The high initial cost.
- Intermittent energy source.
- Solar panel uses a lot of space.
- The small amount of pollution is generated during manufacture, transport and installation.
- Not perfect if a user plans to relocate.
Ques. Why is it brighter and warmer during the day than at night? (1 mark)
Ans. It is brighter and warmer during the day than at night because of solar energy. Solar energy is energy from the sun that comes to earth.
Ques. Is solar energy hazardous to human health? (2 marks)
Ans. To date, there is no confirmed research that says that photovoltaic systems are a threat or hazardous to either human or animal health or they have any negative effect on the environment.
Ques. What are the technologies used to harness solar energy? (2 marks)
Ans. Technologies used to harness solar energy are photovoltaics, solar architecture, artificial photosynthesis, solar heating, and solar thermal energy.
Ques. What is the difference between active water heating and passive water heating? (3 marks)
Ans. The difference between active water heating and passive water heating are as follows:
| Active Water Heating | Passive Water Heating |
|---|---|
| In active water heating blowers are used to circulate fluid for transportation of heat. | In passive water heating no blowers or pumps used to circulate for transportation of heat. |
| It is an expensive system. | It is not an expensive system. |
| Active water heating system can be installed anywhere irrespective of sunshine requirements. | Passive water heating system cannot be installed anywhere and depend upon the sunshine requirements. |
Ques. State the advantages of solar energy? (3 marks)
Ans. The advantages of generating and using solar energy are as follows:
- Solar energy is the cleanest and most non-polluting form of energy.
- It will last as long as the sun exists on earth and it is a renewable source of energy.
- Solar energy is stored in batteries and can be changed into other forms of energy.
- It is used in many several ways as it is very reliable. The energy also helps in saving electricity bills.
- The energy is free and accessible to anyone.
Ques. Explain the use of solar panels in the field of agriculture? (4 marks)
Ans. We are aware that solar energy is used in a variety of fields, and agriculture is one of those fields. A lot of farm energies are supplemented by solar energy.
- Additionally, solar energy is particularly beneficial for agricultural activities.
- One of the earliest and most used methods in agriculture is the use of solar radiation for drying crops and grains.
- Screened drying trays, racks, and a solar collector, enclosure, or shed are the main parts of a solar dryer.
- In addition, solar energy is used to heat water and space.
Modern poultry farms rear their animals in enclosed buildings where temperature and air quality control are critical. As a result, air and water heating requirements are frequently higher in dairy operations.
Ques. Mention the working of solar panel? (3 marks)
Ans. Numerous solar cells are mounted on solar panels in order to take use of their special qualities and generate electricity. Individual cells absorb photons from the Sun, which causes the cell to produce an electric current.
- This process is known as the photovoltaic effect.
- An inverter transforms the direct current produced by a solar panel into alternating current.
- A photovoltaic system is created by combining these two technologies.
- When installing a solar panel, the best orientation is chosen to face the direction that is most suitable for the solar panel's use.
- Though it's not always the case, this is typically done to produce the most energy per year.
Read More:
Comments