Solar Energy to Mechanical Energy:What,How to Convert,Examples and Facts

As per today’s requirement, the solar energy to mechanical energy conversion is necessary.

Our daily life depends on various types of machines and works based on mechanical energy. So, according to source and requirement, solar energy converted into mechanical energy is the main focus.

As we know, some energy sources will be finished after some years, which means they are Non-renewable. Now the current scenario for energy requirements is increasing day by day. So we have to find another way to get energy from different sources that will be available for a long time.

The conversion of solar energy to mechanical energy is current requirement to make it useful in daily life.

Also, pollution is a major factor because it increases day by day as the energy demand increases. So anyone has to think about it to be controlled while using different forms of energy, which can be possible by using renewable forms of energy as a source.

So for these purposes, we have to use renewable energy sources. Of all renewable energy sources, Sun is the major source of energy. So solar energy is the biggest source because solar energy reaches the surface of the earth is more than the current energy requirement of the earth.

Our daily life depends on various types of machines and works based on mechanical energy. So, according to source and requirement, solar energy converted into mechanical energy is the main focus in today’s world.

The Source of solar energy is Sun. So solar energy is the radiation from the sun from which we can convert this energy into heat energy, Mechanical energy or electrical energy, etc.

solar energy to mechanical energy
Solar energy to mechanical energy Credit IITBBS

What is Mechanical energy?

Every object in the world has mechanical energy in itself in the form of kinetic energy or Potential energy.

To reduce our effort at every moment of life, we are using various kinds of machines, and those machines are combinations of mechanism that means relative motion between parts is there.

The kinetic energy is due to motion and potential energy is due to position. By mechanical energy, we can use these machines. And the requirement for Mechanical energy is much in today’s world.

And it is possible to convert solar energy into Mechanical energy as per requirement.

For Example:

  • Solar pumps
  • Solar cars
  • Solar vehicles

Solar energy to Mechanical energy diagram

We can also explain the conversion system of solar energy into Mechanical energy by a diagram.

Solar energy is not directly converted into Mechanical energy, but it follows different steps to reach the final output. This whole process can be represented by a diagram also.

But for different types of applications, some minor differences are there in sequence so that we can represent it for only a particular application.

solar energy to mechanical energy
Solar energy to mechanical energy

For example: a Solar Thermal power plant

First of all, Solar energy is converted into Heat Energy, Then Heat energy is converted into mechanical Energy, and then mechanical energy is finally converted into electrical Energy.

For example: Solar Car

solar energy to mechanical energy
Solar Car

First of all, Solar Energy is converted into Electrical Energy; then Electrical energy is converted into Mechanical Energy.

How to convert solar energy to Mechanical energy?

You all are aware that for using solar energy, we have to concentrate it by some special equipments

Solar energy can be converted into mechanical energy but not directly, requiring several types of equipment to convert it.

We all have done this experiment about burning the paper with solar energy with the help of a special mirror which helps to concentrate all the rays of sun on one point of paper so at that point energy is maximized, and paper can be burned.

So here, to use solar energy, the concentration of rays is needed. It is done by a concentrator that concentrates rays on a photovoltaic cell (PV cell), which first converts solar energy into Electrical energy by the Photovoltaic effect. These types of cells are arranged properly so that these cells can store solar energy and convert it into electrical energy also. Solar energy strikes the surface of the solar cells.

By the movement of molecules or electrons of a solar cell, solar energy is converted into electrical energy, such as Electrical energy produced in a solar Power plant. These cells are made of silicon or germanium, or any other semiconductor.

When solar energy is converted to Mechanical energy?

The solar energy to mechanical energy conversion is done with special equipment.

When we want to use pollution-free and economical energy, solar energy is converted into Mechanical energy.

When we want to use different types of machinery, we require Mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is produced by the conversion of different sources of energy. But if we require a small amount of mechanical energy with very less cost and pollution-free energy, then we have to use solar energy as input; then, at that time, solar energy is converted into Mechanicalenergy.

For example:

If we want to ride our bicycle, then a small amount of Mechanical energy is required. If Mechanical energy is required to produce without any effort, then Electrical energy is needed. If we produce the required electrical energy by solar panels means solar energy. So at that time, we do conversion of solar energy into Mechanical energy.

Solar energy to Mechanical energy conversion process

Solar Energy is not converted into Mechanical energy directly, but it can be converted step by step.

Now we will discuss the required steps to convert solar energy into Mechanical energy.

  • Step No 1: First, we have to concentrate solar energy and convert it to electrical energy with one piece of equipment known as a solar cell.
  • Step no 2: Electrical energy is transmitted for further use by the transmission grid and transmission system.
  • Step No 3: We can transfer electric energy to the end-user, which means the last and main user who requires mechanical energy.
  • Step No 4: In the last user use this electrical energy in their premises, electrical energy is converted into Mechanical energy.

So user can use their different types of machines by this conversion system in which energy comes from solar energy.

How to convert solar energy to Mechanical energy at home?

Solar energy is converted into Mechanical energy by several types of equipment for energy conversion at home.

Many types of equipment are used at home like Example: Solar pump, solar fan, solar bicycle, solar car, etc.

These equipment’s are giving output as Mechanical Energy. So we have to convert solar energy into mechanical energy at home.

And now, this electrical energy is converted into Mechanical energy, and we can use many kinds of equipment with this mechanical energy in our home.

We take one example from several applications, and it is a solar pump.

The working of a pump is to increase the level of any fluid by increasing the pressure of that fluid in it. To increase the pressure of the fluid, the pump requires mechanical energy in input which comes from the shaft attached to a motor. And motor requires electrical energy to rotate that shaft.

Now, if this electrical energy is produced by solar energy, we first have to use solar panels as per requirement and convert solar energy into electrical energy. Then electrical energy is supplied to the motor to operate our pump. This is known as a solar pump.

Solar energy to Mechanical energy examples

Now in our daily life, there are several machines or equipment used, which are worked by the mechanical energy as input.

Examples of solar energy to mechanical are solar pumps, solar fans, solar bikes, solar cars, solar thermal power plants, remote lighthouses, etc.

Machine or equipment works based on solar energy as the main input source in our daily life are examples of solar energy to mechanical energy.

Remote lighthouse:

As per the current requirement at our home, a remote lighthouse is used, and demand for it is increasing. In this case, a glass wheel reflects light to maximum distance. For this purpose, the wheel must be rotated at a maximum angle. The solar panel and rotation of the wheel may mean mechanical energy is there, and it is produced by solar energy. So it is the example of Mechanical energy produced by solar energy conversion.

Solar bike:

We use a normal bike to travel without effort and within a short time, which means the bike needs mechanical energy to travel the required distance. The battery source of electrical energy produces this mechanical energy. If this electrical energy is produced by solar radiation means solar application, then the bike is known as a solar bike.

Solar fan:

We use a fan to circulate the air which is presently surrounding us. This circulation provides air movement, and kinetic energy or Mechanical energy is produced. If input energy to a fan is electrical energy produced by solar panels, then this fan is known as a solar fan.

Solar energy vs Mechanical energy

Solar energy and Mechanical energy are different types forms of energy.

Solar energy means energy comes from the sun through radiation comes toward us, and mechanical energy combines any substance’s potential energy and kinetic energy.

All the machinery used in our daily life can use solar energy. Still, it cannot be operated directly by solar energy, so first, we have to convert available solar energy into another form of energy, and then this form of energy is converted into mechanical energy.

Also, please click to know about Types of solar energy.

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