Solar Energy To Electrical Energy: What, How To Convert, Examples And Facts

In this article on physics, we will be studying how to convert solar energy to electrical energy, important facts, and examples.

Solar energy is a fundamental source that is obtained in our surroundings. It is a renewable source that cannot be easily vanished. Using several technological devices, we can convert solar energy to electrical energy through various methods that are less expensive and very efficient.

Let us first understand the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy easily through a diagram.

Solar energy to electrical energy diagram

The process of converting of solar energy to electrical energy/current can easily analyze this process through a simple diagram that is shown below;

Firstly, the sunlight will strike the solar cells inserted in the solar panels. These solar panels will have the built-in technology to convert them into electricity. This electricity is generated through the flow of free electrons from the semiconductor. Later these are passed through a charge controller and later to the battery, then to the inverter; this inverter produces AC used in home appliances.

To study the procedure of how to convert solar energy to electrical energy and its conversion.

How to convert solar energy to electrical energy?

Can readily transform solar energy into electrical energy through a device called photovoltaic cells that helps in the conversion process.

We know that sun rays emit several types of radiation composed of fundamental particles. When they hit the photovoltaic cells made up of silicon, a small junction is formed between the metal and semiconductor layers. Here it is to be noted that silicon is a semiconductor. After all these processes, solar energy is transformed into electrical energy.

To study the detailed analysis of solar energy to electrical energy conversion.

Solar energy to the electrical energy conversion process

The transformation of solar energy to electrical energy can occur through certain devices; one of the major devices is a photovoltaic cell or solar cell.

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells are built with silicon. We know that sun rays emit several types of radiation, and these radiations are composed of fundamental particles.
When they hit the photovoltaic cells, a small junction between metal and semiconductor layers is formed. Here it is to be noted that silicon is a semiconductor.
The junction of energy difference may also occur between two semiconductors, i.e., a photovoltaic effect.
After all these processes, solar energy is transformed into electrical energy.

To read the composition of photovoltaic cells and the process, it converts solar energy into electrical energy.

Solar energy to electrical energy through photovoltaic cell

The photovoltaic cells are mainly used in smaller to larger devices to convert solar energy to electricity.

A photovoltaic cell, shortly abbreviated as PV, is generally a solar cell. It is one of the important non-mechanical devices used to transform solar energy into electrical energy.
Nowadays, PV cells are also constructed to transform artificial light into current.
The layers of photovoltaic cells are made up of silicon. When the light strikes the cell, the positive and negative layers are formed as the photons transfer their complete energy to electrons of silicon atoms.
It leads to the formation of a junction used to produce current.

Now let us read about converting solar energy into electrical energy in homes.

How can we convert solar energy to electrical energy at home?

Many households have inserted solar panels that are beneficial for obtaining solar energy. Solar energy conversion to electrical energy occurs in several steps in a solar panel. These steps are mentioned below;

Sunrays fall on the panels; it is built so that the rack and panel solar system helps transfer photon’s energy to the electrons of the silicon atom.
This silicon generates free electrons, which flow as charges in the circuit.
Here the actual conversion of solar energy to electrical energy takes place.
The obtained electrical energy is later transferred to the households and will help domestic use.
Will insert a meter to calculate the usage of energy.

Let us study the detailed explanation of solar energy to electrical energy examples.

Solar energy to electrical energy examples

Solar energy to electrical energy conversion occurs in different devices. Therefore, several examples are used in daily life. Here are some important solar energy to electrical energy examples;

Solar cells used in plane
Solar cells in electric keyboard
Solar paint mixture
Solar energy field
Solar stadiums
Solar tents
Solar dust bins
Solar charging stations
Solar Plant
Solar pyramids

Solar cells used in plane

An innovative experiment was conducted in 2009 by installing numerous solar panels on the wings of a plane named solar impulse. It was constructed in swiss and is considered a solar-powered plane. As it gains its power from the sun source, it can fly in darkness.

Solar cells in electric keyboard

Nowadays, many instrumentalists use solar-powered keyboards for better performance; the solar-generated cells flow as current and produce electricity to charge them. It can work for three months without batteries and only obtaining solar energy. It was first designed by a company called Logitech.

Solar paint mixture

Several chemical engineers are working on developing solar paint that can be painted or even sprayed on numerous surfaces. Solar paints are generally composed of a very small-scale mixture of photovoltaic elements. The solar paints will work in the same way as the PV collectors.

Solar energy field

The construction of a solar energy field in any desert area will bring about sustainability in producing electrical energy from a major renewable source. It is estimated that on a very hot day, the constructed solar panels would generate about 10 MW of electric current, which would be helpful for the nearby areas. Michael Jantzen first proposed the idea. It is useful solar energy for electrical energy example.

Solar stadiums

One of the important stadiums powered by solar energy was constructed in Taiwan by Toyo Ito in 2009. It is a large and wide area constructed in the shape of a dragon, and the solar panels provide a hundred percent current. It contains in total approximately 3300 lights and big screens. When the stadium is not used for any other events, the energy produced by the panels is transferred to the local areas.

Solar tents

Solar tents are mainly helpful for campers that will be beneficial for them when there is no availability of electricity. It was an experimental innovation discovered to use solar power effectively. These tents can recharge approximately 650 mobiles and even helps with wi-fi access. It also helps in charging weaving threads, and it is prime solar energy to electrical energy example.

Solar dust bins

To bring out effective waste management, they are trying to replace normal dust bins with solar-powered dust bins. It is powered by electricity that is generated through solar energy. These solar dust bins in eight times more than the normal ones. It can run for one month on charging for 8 hours through solar power. It is one of the recent inventions of converting solar energy to electrical energy.

Solar charging stations

Solar charging stations are implemented as a part of the energy conservation project in Belgrade. These solar charging stations can be seen installed in the places where the weather is almost sunny and can be used to charge the mobiles and other devices.

Solar Plant

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology initially proposed solar plants. It was designed for the betterment of eco-friendly power generators. Can use the electricity obtained from these solar plants for various purposes such as apartments, electrical toys, clothes machines, etc. A group of Japanese scientists worked hard to create this artificial solar powerplant.

Solar pyramids

The solar pyramid is defined as the arrangement of solar panels in a pyramid-like structure. It is considered to be an important renewable solar energy plant. The design of this solar pyramid has won the best proposal design. The PV cells constructed solar panels are constructed in Abu Dhabi. The solar pyramids can generate sufficient power required by the surrounding areas. These are some actual examples of solar energy to electrical energy.

Solar energy to electrical energy converter

Solar energy to electrical energy converter is nothing but a device to transform solar power into electric current.

The converter generally used in this process is the solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cells are constructed with materials that help transfer energy from light rays to electrons of the metal or semiconductor used in cells.

Now let us study the difference between solar energy and electrical energy.

Solar energy vs electrical energy

The important difference between solar energy and electrical energy lies in the source of their production.

Solar Energy	Electrical Energy
Solar energy is an important and fundamental forms of energy that is the main renewable energy source. Can obtain e	lectrical energy by converting energy forms from many natural resources.
The one and only source of solar energy is the sun.	Electrical energy is obtained through water turbines, natural gases, wind, fossil fuels, petroleum, etc.
Solar cells or photovoltaic cells are in use to convert solar energy to other forms of energy.	Several powerplants are constructed to obtain electrical energy
With the help of inverters, it can transform it into AC or DC	It includes various steps to obtain electrical energy
It is one of the sources of obtaining electric current	It is one of the convenient forms of energy that is used in different sectors
The installation process of solar panels or any other solar devices is easy	m must take the installation process of electrical energy into utmost care since a little mistake can cause disruption
The radiations of sunlight may cause solar cells to activate	Electrical energy conversion includes larger devices such as transformers, inverters, converters, etc
Example: Solar cells	Example: Electric current at household

To analyze how a solar cell is constructed to generate electric current.

How does a solar cell construct to generate electricity?

The light rays emitted from the sun contain many radiations and are composed of photons.

The solar cells are built with silicon material so that they can easily capture the solar energy and generate it into the current. When the light falls on the solar cells. Photons readily enter the upper layers, and they transfer their entire energy to the silicon atoms as electrons. Here, the movement of electrons occurs through a potential junction that includes both positive and negative layers that lead to current production.

The above given are some of the advanced examples of solar energy to electrical energy conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

How is solar energy being used in the present era?

In this era, solar energy is being used in various ways, from domestic to industrial purposes.

If we first come across domestic purposes, then it is used as solar water heaters and ventilation, cooking solar electricity, solar chargers, and can run every other minute thing with the help of solar energy. If we come to industrial purposes, then the ponds are constructed then these solar ponds are used to produce textile materials, swimming pools, food products, chemicals, etc.

What type of energy does solar energy belong to?

Solar energy is one of the most renewable energy sources found so far.

Renewable energy is nothing but a source of energy that can reconstruct, and solar energy is consideredto be the cleanest and purest forms of renewable energy. It is also abundant in nature and can be indirectly used in converting to various other forms of energy.

Can we assume solar energy to be a viable source of electricity?

Sun is the major natural resource of energy, and the energy produced by the sun will be enough to satisfy the energy need of the entire population.

As it comes under the category of renewable resources, it cannot completely vanish soon as compared to other energy sources. We can assume solar energy to be a viable source of electricity only if we can overcome the limitation of converting solar energy into usable electricity using inefficient and less expensive methods.

Why is solar energy considered an important source of energy?

Solar energy is one of the kinds of reliable energy sources and can be used directly and indirectly in generating power sources.

Solar energy is a major renewable forms of energy since sunlight cannot be completely extinct, as in the case of fossil fuels. It is less expensive and reliable as it doesn’t cost much to receive and use sunlight. It is the main reason for considering solar energy as an important energy source.

Mention the major characteristics of solar energy?

The major characteristics of solar energy that make it an important source of energy are as follows,

Solar energy is renewable.
It is inexhaustible.
It is a clean and abundant form of energy.
It can be converted into other forms directly or indirectly using natural and technological devices.
It is reliable.
It is cost-effective.

How can we convert solar energy to Alternating current (AC)?

Every household uses an alternating current that reaches the home after many processes.

Nowadays, all solar systems are built with an important inverter device. The main work of inverters is to transform the collected amount of energy from the sunlight with the help of solar panels or solar cells to the required amount of energy and later to power or electricity. This inverter acts as a major key that helps in converting the obtained direct current into alternating current. It is the way how solar energy is converted into AC.

Also, please click to know about Conservation Of Energy Uses.

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Raghavi Acharya

I am Raghavi Acharya, I have completed my post-graduation in physics with a specialization in the field of condensed matter physics. I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study and I enjoy exploring the various fields of this subject. In my free time, I engage myself in digital art. My articles are aimed towards delivering the concepts of physics in a very simplified manner to the readers.