Over the past few years, due to climate change initiatives, solar energy has become more and more prevalent. With advances in research and technology, solar energy has become one of the more practical forms of renewable energy. If you live in the 85258 area, then solar energy systems simply make sense.
In areas of the world that receive a considerable amount of sunlight, like the American Southwest, solar energy is proving to be a viable alternative to conventional forms of electricity. This article will cover how solar systems function in 85258 and the surrounding areas.
The sun
In addition to producing light and heat, the sun also gives off radiation, which can be harnessed and converted into energy. The sun essentially functions like a naturally-occurring nuclear reactor.
In fact, every 90 minutes, enough sunlight reaches the earth to satisfy the entire world’s energy needs for a whole year. There are two main forms of solar energy, photovoltaics (PV) and concentrated solar-thermal power (CSP).
Photovoltaics
Though the name might not sound familiar, the concept of solar panels should ring a bell. Solar panels are set up to capture sunlight. When the sunlight hits the panel, the photovoltaic cells take it in and convert it to energy.
Said energy forms electrical charges that function within the electrical field inside the cell. This facilitates the flow of electricity.
Concentrated solar-thermal power
An alternative to photovoltaic panels, concentrated solar-thermal power functions a bit differently. CSP systems utilize lenses or mirrors to direct concentrated sunlight onto receivers. This sunlight is then converted to heat, which creates energy.
That energy is then used to power a heat engine, a generator or a thermochemical reaction. CSP systems are often used at scale for colossal solar energy stations, often consisting of millions of square feet of mirrored surfaces.
The future of solar power
When it comes to clean, renewable energy sources, you won’t do much better than solar power. Generating solar power is possible as long as the sun continues to exist, and solar power doesn’t produce any harmful carbon emissions.
Currently, there are numerous soft costs that are preventing solar energy from becoming ubiquitous. These include installation, permits and financing. For solar energy companies to maintain profitability, their rates must currently be markedly higher than traditional forms of energy.
But the hope is that, with research, technological advancement and maybe even some help from the government via grants and subsidies, solar energy can go from being 0.5 percent of all energy consumption in the U.S. to a more prominent and more applicable form of energy.
Call for your solar panels today
Now that you know some of the basics of solar energy systems, maybe you’ll consider installing some solar panels at your home in 85258. The high amount of sunlight received in the Arizona desert makes it an ideal location for solar panels. If you’d like to discuss solar systems, give us a call at Aneva Solar.
We’re the industry experts when it comes to solar panel installation, and we’d be happy to discuss a unique solar energy solution that would specifically work for you and your family.