Solar Energy

For my project, I have chosen solar energy. I am going to compare active and passive solar energy systems but I wanted to research the basic background information on solar energy first.

The source for solar energy is the sun. The solar radiation comes from the sun's rays that reach the earth. Photovoltaic (PV) devices then use semiconducting materials to convert sunlight into energy. PV cells are also known as solar cells. Each cell produces about 1 or 2 watts of energy. In order to have a larger energy output, the PV cells are connected by PV modules. For even larger energy outputs, the modules are connected to form an array. This way, any energy requirement can be met.

Below is a picture that demonstrates this.















Sources:

U.S. Dept of Energy
Energy Information Administration