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Solar panels are used to generate electricity. This procedure can be used in either a household or industrial setting. Solar panels for domestic use can be utilised to generate electricity at home.
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Solar Energy
It is a kind of energy that is both renewable and widely available on the planet Earth. Solar energy has been used by humans since the dawn of time. For example, instead of using a magnifying glass to create fire, photovoltaic cells must be installed to generate electricity using solar radiation. These cells take in solar energy and convert it to electricity.
Solar Panels
The energy that the sun provides to the earth is known as solar energy. Initially, as visible light, then as electromagnetic radiation. Solar energy has been around for nearly a century. Solar energy was once used to generate steam, which was then used to power machines.
Solar Panels
The photovoltaic effect was discovered by Edmond Becquerel, allowing sunlight to be converted into solar electric energy. The solar panel absorbs the sun's energy and converts it into electricity, which is subsequently utilised to power electrical loads. These panels have several individual solar cells which comprises varied layers of silicon, phosphorus and boron. Solar panels absorb the photons and electric current is produced in doing so.
The energy which is the result of this strikes the surface of solar panels allowing electrons to be knocked out of their atomic orbits and released into the electric field generated by the solar cell. This attracts the free electrons in the direction of the current. This complete process as a whole is known as the photoelectric effect.
A typical home has more than enough roof area to produce enough solar electricity to meet the power needs for the required number of solar panels. We use the industrial panel to generate electricity in large quantities. Engineers will need to build a solar panel array from a solar power station to do this. Solar panels may be used to create enormous amounts of electricity, and this can be done on a small or large scale. Solar panels have the advantage of being able to produce electricity in remote regions as well, as long as there is enough solar energy available. This will benefit the residents of the area.
Uses of Solar Panels
Solar Panels are used for many purposes in India. Below we will see the various uses of it in different sectors.
- Solar Panels in Agriculture
Solar energy is also very beneficial in agricultural activities. Solar energy is one of the oldest and most extensively utilised ways in agricultural activities, and it is used to dry crops and grains.
Solar dryers are made out of screened drying trays or racks, as well as a solar collector, enclosure, or shed. Solar energy is also used to heat buildings and water. Dairy operations have higher air and water heating requirements, while modern poultry farms raise animals in enclosed buildings where temperature and air quality are critical.
The second application is greenhouse heating, where the greenhouse relies on oil and gas heaters to meet their need to maintain the temperature for the plants to grow in winters.
- Solar Panels for Electricity
The sun is the purest source of renewable energy available. It may be utilised to power our home and company in a variety of ways. Photovoltaic panels driven by the sun transform sunlight into electricity. In this method, photons from the sun are used to excite electrons in a silicon cell. This electricity is made from renewable resources.
In most solar systems, the solar panels are mounted on the roofs of the dwellings. During the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be no shade on the panel side of an excellent location. The system's potential is maximised when it is installed in the south. We should consider a few aspects when placing solar panels, such as the presence of trees near the house to ensure that sunlight is not blocked and that solar panels are used to their full potential.
- Solar Panels for Cooking
Cooking using solar energy is simple. Cooking in a solar oven instead of a standard oven will save you money on your electricity bill. You'll need a thermometer, an aluminium foil box, pan duct tape, a cooking bag, and styrofoam insulation to cook in a solar box.
- Solar Panels for Industry
Due to the utilisation of heavy machinery and equipment, industries require more electricity. Solar energy can be used to provide electricity. It's also used to keep pipes safe from corrosion. Solar energy will help you keep your electricity expenditures under control.
- Solar Panel for Water Heater
Active solar hot water systems and passive solar hot water systems are the two types of solar water heaters that can be used to replace regular water heaters.
- Active solar water heating system:
Active solar water heating systems come in two varieties:
- Direct Circulation System:
With the help of solar collectors, they have a pump that circulates household water into the house.
- Indirect Circulation:
This method transfers water into the home using a non-freezing liquid. Typically used in locations where the temperature is below freezing.
Passive water heaters are less efficient than active water heaters, but they are less expensive. There are two types of solar water heating systems: passive and active.
Integral Collector-Storage is a term used to describe a system that collects and Using a passive water heater: Used in areas where cold temperatures are extremely infrequent. In such a design, the solar collector is built straight inside the water storage tank. When the sun shines squarely on the water storage tank, the water is heated.
The solar collector (which heats the water) is located below the storage tank in thermosyphon passive water heater systems.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Panels
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy to maintain as the maintenance cost is low | Requires a lot of space |
| Less electricity bill | Ineffective during night |
| Development of technology | Not cost-effective |
| Renewable source of energy | Energy storage is expensive |
Things to Remember
- Use of solar panels is a part of CBSE class 10 science syllabus.
- It comes under unit 5 Natural resources and carries a total of 7 marks.
- Solar panels work with the help of solar energy and help in reducing wastage or pollution.
- Some of the most important usage of solar panels is that it helps in generating energy for electricity generation, solar ventilation and helps in solar water heating.
- It helps in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.
Sample Questions
Ques 1: What is a Solar PV System and How Does It Work? (1 mark)
Ans: Photovoltaic (PV) is a short version of photovoltaic, which refers to the process of turning light into electricity. It is a strong station that uses sunlight to generate electricity.
Ques 2: How does a Solar panel work? (1 mark)
Ans: A solar panel generates an electric current by allowing photons, or light particles, to knock electrons loose from atoms. (The term "photovoltaic" simply refers to the process of converting sunlight into energy.) A solar panel is made up of several interconnected cells.
Ques 3: What are some of the uses of solar panels?(2 marks)
Ans: Solar Electricity, Solar Water Heating, Solar Ventilation and Solar Lighting
Ques 4: List some of the environmental advantages of solar energy. (1 mark)
Ans: Solar panels are sustainable energy sources with numerous environmental and health advantages. It helps to destroy air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter that cause health concerns by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute significantly to climatic change.
Ques 5: What are solar panels made of? (1 mark)
Ans: Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor material in solar cells, accounting for over 95% of all modules sold today.
Ques 6. Name the device used to measure solar radiation flux. (1 mark)
Ans: Solar radiation flux can be measured through a Pyranometer.
Ques 7. List the disadvantages of using a solar panel. (2 marks)
Ans. The disadvantages are:
- A lot of space is required for the installation of the solar panels
- Ineffective at night
- A costly procedure
- Energy storage expenses for solar panels are high.
Ques 8. What is the use of a pyrometer? (1 mark)
Ans. A pyrometer helps in the measurement of the temperature of diffused and direct radiation.
Ques 9. What are the uses of heliostats? (1 mark)
Ans. Heliostats act as a reflector mirror for absorbing solar energy.
Ques 10. What is the use of a pyrheliometer? (1 mark)
Ans. Pyrheliometer helps in the measurement of the direct beam solar irradiance.
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