What is solar energy and what are the benefits of using it?
Solar energy is the main renewable energy source on the planet and numerous ways have been explored to benefit from it.
Given its enormous importance, the question arises: what are the characteristics of solar energy ? It is inexhaustible, it is available to everyone and above all it is 100% clean; in fact, it does not involve CO2 or fine dust emissions.
Having underlined the particularities and importance of the source, it is now possible to explain how solar energy is used and in what context; this energy source is used for the production of electricity (through photovoltaic panels) and thermal energy (with solar panels) by means of solar radiation.
In recent years, the technological development of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems has reached important levels; together with the fact that attention to the environment has become increasingly important, we can see more and more roofs with photovoltaic or solar thermal panels in cities and inhabited centers in general.
What is solar energy and what are the benefits of using it?
Solar energy is the main source of renewable energy on Earth. It is an almost inexhaustible and 100% clean source, without CO2 emissions or fine dust into the atmosphere. Therefore, the fields of application of solar energy are multiple and the harvesting of this energy has become much easier over the years. Let ‘s see how you can take advantage of solar energy and what are the advantages of its use .
What is solar energy and how is it recovered?
Solar energy is the form of energy emitted by the Sun in the form of solar radiation. Solar energy is the main form of energy on the planet, from which almost all others are derived. The exceptions are nuclear and geothermal energy and the energy derived from the movement of the tides.
Solar energy can be harnessed in two ways :
- to heat fluids using thermal energy;
- generate electricity by taking advantage of the electromagnetic effect.
In recent years, technological advances in photovoltaic and thermal systems have reached remarkable levels. Also for this reason, more and more roofs are equipped with photovoltaic and thermal panels in urbanized areas, thanks to their increasing efficiency.
How does solar energy work
How is solar energy used? First of all, it is necessary to know that the sun radiates a power equivalent to about 50 million GW. However, this energy is not concentrated in a few points, but is distributed throughout the earth’s surface. The amount of radiant energy that reaches the Earth from the Sun, per unit of time and surface, is equal to 1.4 kW/m².
Electricity and heat are obtained from solar energy in three different ways: through photovoltaic solar energy, thermal solar energy and thermodynamic solar energy:
- in the first case photovoltaic panels are used ,
- in the second the thermal collector,
- in the third, the solar thermal system and the heat pump work together.
Solar and photovoltaic energy
Solar energy is harnessed through photovoltaic systems . This source of energy has the great advantage of being inexhaustible and respectful of the environment, since it does not require combustion or CO2 emissions .
In addition, compared to other systems that use renewable energy, solar power plants have the ability to work all year round .
It must be said that solar energy is not constant: during the night, in fact, it is not present. This lack, however, is remedied through the use of storage systems , or by compensating for night hours through the use of complementary systems .
Solar energy: the advantages of photovoltaics
Regarding the initial investment, it must be said that the cost of installing a photovoltaic system can be amortized with the savings on the bill, even in about 5/6 years, depending on the area and the installation conditions.
The return on the investment made in the initial phase is also guaranteed by the tax relief and the transfer of the credit provided for by the Housing Bonus , thanks to which taxpayers can benefit from a deduction for IRPEF purposes or an immediate discount on the purchase and installation of a new plant
In any case, to dispel any doubts about the real convenience of a photovoltaic system and to find out how much energy your roof can produce, you just have to contact competent and certified companies and request free and non-binding advice.
