Outline of solar energy

Solar energy is the light and heat that comes from the Sun. People have used solar energy for a very long time, since ancient times, with technology that keeps getting better. There are many ways we can use solar energy, like warming our homes, creating electricity, and designing buildings that use the sun’s power.

Solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity, and solar architecture are all ways that we can capture the sun’s energy to help us. These technologies can play a big role in solving some of the world's most important problems today. By using solar energy, we can create clean power and reduce our need for fuels that can harm the environment.

Overview

Solar energy is the light and heat that comes from the Sun. People have used it for a very long time in many different ways. It is a type of energy that comes from natural sources and can be replaced when we use it. The Sun is the star at the center of our Solar System, and the light it gives off is called sunlight. This light includes many kinds of energy that we can see, feel, and even use to power things.

History of solar energy

Growth of photovoltaics –
Timeline of solar cells – begins in the 19th century when it is observed that the presence of sunlight is capable of generating usable electrical energy.
Timeline of solar energy –

Conversion of solar energy

Solar power means turning sunlight into electricity. There are two main ways to do this: using photovoltaics (PV), which turns light directly into electricity, or using concentrated solar power (CSP), which uses mirrors to focus sunlight to make heat that can create electricity.

There are many tools and ideas used with solar energy. Active solar means using technology to catch and use the Sun’s energy, like heating water or making electricity. Heliostats are mirrors that move to always point at the Sun, helping to focus sunlight. Solar trackers are devices that turn solar panels to face the Sun. Copper plays a role in making solar panels work better. Solar cells, made from silicon, turn sunlight into electricity. Other ideas include solar chemicals, which use sunlight in chemical reactions, and solar inverters, which change the type of electricity so it can be used in homes and grids.

Solar thermal energy uses the Sun’s heat. This can include heating water for homes, cooling buildings, or using special ponds that store heat. Concentrated solar power uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a small area, creating heat that can run a machine to make electricity. Photovoltaics is another way to turn sunlight into electricity using special materials that create power when light hits them. There are many types of solar cells and systems, from small panels on roofs to large farms that make lots of power for many people.

Storage of solar energy

Grid energy storage refers to ways to save electricity for later use within a power grid. Thermal energy storage includes many technologies that keep heat or cold for future use, either shortly or even between seasons.

Thermal mass in buildings helps control temperature changes by acting like a steady weight. Seasonal thermal energy storage can save heat from one season to use in another, using methods like special wells, deep holes, insulated pits, or large insulated tanks. Phase change materials can store and release a lot of energy when they change from solid to liquid and back again.

Applications of solar energy

Solar energy, the radiant light and heat from the Sun, has many uses. It has been used by humans for a long time with technologies that keep improving. Solar energy can be used for heating, making electricity, and designing buildings in special ways.

Agriculture

Greenhouse – a special building where plants grow.
Polytunnel – a tunnel made of plastic for growing plants.
Row cover – material that protects plants from cold and wind.
Solar-powered pump – a pump that uses energy from the Sun.

Appliances

Solar-powered refrigerator – a fridge that keeps food cool using Sun energy.
Solar air conditioning – a way to cool buildings using Sun energy.
Solar lamp – a portable light that uses Sun energy.
Solar charger – a device that uses Sun energy to charge batteries.
Solar backpack – a bag with solar panels to charge small devices.
Solar tree – a decorative way to get solar energy.
Solar-powered watch – a watch that runs on Sun energy.
Solar Tuki – a solar lamp for use in rural Nepal.
Photovoltaic keyboard – a wireless keyboard that charges using light.
Solar road stud – lights on roads that use Sun energy.
Solar cell phone charger – a charger for phones using Sun energy.
Solar notebook – a laptop that recharges using Sun energy.
Solar-powered calculator – a calculator that runs on Sun energy.
Solar-powered fountain – a fountain that runs on Sun energy.
Solar-powered radio – a radio that runs on Sun energy.
Solar-powered flashlight – a flashlight that runs on Sun energy.
Solar-powered fan – a fan that runs on Sun energy.
Solar street light – street lights that use Sun energy.
Solar traffic light – traffic lights that use Sun energy.

Building

Passive solar building design – designing buildings to use Sun energy for heating and cooling.
Building-integrated photovoltaics – using solar materials as part of buildings.
Urban heat island – when cities are warmer than surrounding areas due to buildings and roads.

Lighting

Hybrid solar lighting – combining Sun energy with regular lights for indoor use.
Solar lamp – a portable light that uses Sun energy.
Solar Tuki – a solar lamp for use in rural Nepal.
Light tube – tubes that bring natural light into buildings.
Daylighting – using windows and reflective surfaces to let in natural light.

Process heat

Solar pond – a pool that collects heat from the Sun.
Solar furnace – a structure that uses Sun energy to create high temperatures.
Salt evaporation pond – shallow ponds that make salt from sea water.

Solar cooking

Solar cooker – a device that uses Sun energy to cook food.

Solar disinfection

Solar water disinfection – using Sun energy to clean water.
Soil solarization – using Sun energy to control soil diseases.

Solar-powered desalination

Solar desalination – using Sun energy to remove salt from water.
Solar still – a simple way to clean water using Sun energy.
Desalination – removing salt from water.

Solar water heating

Solar water heating – systems that heat water using Sun energy.
Solar combisystem – a system that heats buildings and water using Sun energy.
Solar controller – a device that controls solar water heating systems.

Solar-powered transport

Electric boat – boats that run on electricity.
Electric aircraft – airplanes that run on electricity.
Solar vehicle – vehicles that run on Sun energy.

Land transport

Solar vehicle – vehicles that run on Sun energy.
Solar car – cars that run on Sun energy.
Solar roadway – roads that make electricity from Sun energy.
Solar golf cart – golf carts that run on Sun energy.
The Quiet Achiever – the first solar-powered car for long distances.
Sunmobile – a model of a solar-powered car.

Air transport

Electric aircraft – airplanes that run on electricity.
Mauro Solar Riser – the first airplane to fly on solar power.
Solar panels on spacecraft – spacecraft that use solar panels for power.
Solar-Powered Aircraft Developments Solar One –
Gossamer Penguin – a solar-powered experimental aircraft.
Qinetiq Zephyr – a solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
Solar Challenger – a solar-powered electric aircraft.

Water transport

Solar powered boat – boats that run on solar power.

Solar vehicle racing

Solar car racing – races for solar-powered cars.
List of solar car teams – teams that build solar cars.
Blue Sky Solar Racing – a student team at the University of Toronto.
Frisian Solar Challenge – a solar boat race.
Hunt-Winston School Solar Car Challenge – a solar car race for high school students.
North American Solar Challenge – a solar car race in the United States and Canada.
Solar challenge (disambiguation) –
Solar Cup – a solar boat race in California.
Solar Splash – a solar-electric boat competition.
South African Solar Challenge – a race for solar-powered vehicles in South Africa.
Tour de Sol – a rally for solar-powered vehicles in Switzerland.
UC Solar Team – a student team at the University of Calgary.
Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge – a solar car competition in Australia.
World Solar Challenge – a solar car race from Darwin to Adelaide.

Solar energy organizations

Here are some groups that work with solar energy:

Solar energy publications

Solar Energy

Persons influential in solar energy

Here are some important people who helped develop solar energy. Charles Fritts was the first to create a solar cell in 1883. Auguste Mouchout made the first device to turn sunlight into mechanical power. Horace de Saussure built the first successful solar oven. Wolfgang Scheffler invented large, flexible mirrors called Scheffler Reflectors that help cook food with sunlight. These scientists and inventors have all made big contributions to using energy from the Sun.