Renewable Energy-Solar

The conventional energy sources are depleting at an exponential  rate .The energy crisis is a major concern for the nation around. The coal will last long only for 100 years or less petroleum resource will be exhausted nearly in 50 years time. The oil producing countries it self is moving towards the introduction of renewable energy sources , major among them is Solar energy.

The energy production in the sun is  by the  nuclear fusion , hydrogen in the core of sun is converting in to heavier nucleus helium during this process the nuclear binding energy is liberating in the form useful energy .

The plants can absorb the visible light and utilize it  for photosynthesis . The use of solar energy by natural means is coming only 1 to 2 % , rest of the energy is un utilized The solar energy capturing technique (Photo Voltaic) was introduced by Charles Fritts  in the year 1883

The solar energy can be  utilized in the following ways

1.      Solar heaters

2.      Solar Concentrator

3.      Solar Photo Voltaic Panels (PV)

Solar heaters

In this method the radiant energy of the sun is utilized directly The sun spectrum consist of Ultraviolet region-Visible region-Infrared region , of which the infrared region is the carrier of heat waves .In solar heaters   the principle of black body radiation is used. Water is allowed to pass through coiled copper pipes which are painted black can absorb the heat energy and this hot water can be utilized in industries or in house hold.

Solar Concentrators

The sun light is allowed to  focus on a fluid by using concave mirrors or convex lenses  (Concentrators) . They are otherwise known as heliostats. The fluid vapourises  and like steam these vapours can rotate a turbine  and consequently electricity can be produced using a generator . The vapours are dry cooled and can be used again.

Solar PV

The photo voltaic cells converts the energy of the photons associated with the radiation of sun in to electricity It consists of semiconductor diode using Silicon New flexible panels had revolutionized the field of  pv solar panels. In the field of construction the glass panels are replaced by transparent solar panels of different colours. The efficiency of solar panels are nearly attaining 80% and conversion rate is excellent. The ever increasing demand of energy and new technology of solar panel development makes the world to think about Solar Energy  as a future energy source. The storage was the concern in the past  but the new lithium and Graphene ( an allotrope of carbon-nano particle with hexagonal lattice) batteries and super capacitors can be charged very fast. Other device developed to store energy is known as super capacitors which can be charged and used easily, that is less than 30 minutes time, will definitely pave a new path in the field of solar energy. The solar energy programs are  extending to a wide scale by the introduction of huge solar panels in space and converting solar energy in to microwaves and transmitting to the earth;  can solve the energy issues of vast geographical area. In Kerala the Kerala State Electricity Board has taken initiative to use floating solar panels and in turn transmitting the electricity to the grid, and trying to solve the energy crisis, is a good step.

Solar power utilization will definitely make the earth a perfect place to dwell, with no production of green house gases and global warming, a Zero emission world.