Solar and Alternative Energy

Electricity can be created by collecting sunlight and converting it through solar panels. The large panels are made up of individual solar cells that collect the sunlight. Other types of alternative energy are enabling many cities to lessen the dependence on petroleum based fuels. We will discuss alternative and solar energy and provide information that can enable businesses and individuals to have the knowledge to create environments that are not dependant on petroleum fuels.

 

 

 

A photovoltaic cell converts solar light photons into useable electricity. Two functions are fulfilled with photovoltaic cells and they are:

1.      Photogeneration of charge carriers in a light absorbing material.

2.      Separation of the charge carriers to a conductive contact that transmits electricity.

 

Developments in technology are making it possible to be less reliant on petroleum based fuels and more reliant on renewable solar energy. The CIGS technology developed by Nanosolar combines a process of imprinting nanoparticles onto low cost per unit areas of metal foil substrate. Nanosolar claims to be able to produce electricity at a cost of five to six cents per kilowatt hour. This being true, this process is almost as cheap as power from coal. Nanosolar claims that their company is able to mass produce solar power film panels.  This will give conventional silicon-made solar panels a stiff competitor from CIGS semiconductor printed solar panels. The inexpensive printing process makes it idyllic for mass production by an mechanized facility with robots and other hi-fi equipment.

 

In the world’s quest for fossil fuel replacements, there has been a possible solution found in tobacco plants. Science may soon be able to literally program the cells of the plant to become solar cells through genetic engineering.

 

Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol is used as an alternative fuel source for transportation. Ethanol has been used as a fuel source additive but can power engines by itself. This form of fuel is a renewable energy source because it is created from the sugar molecules found in plants.

 

The earth provides an energy source that is not dependant on fossil fuels. This energy is in the form of heat obtained from hot circulating ground water. There is much debate as to whether or not this is a renewable energy source. Geothermal power plants pull hot water and steam from the ground, use it, and then return it as warm water to prolong the life of the heat source. In the plainest design, the steam goes straight through the turbine, into a condenser where the steam is condensed into water. In a second approach, very hot water is depressurized into steam which can then be used to drive the turbine.

 

Electricity generators that extract energy from moving water create hydropower. The power of rivers has been used for centuries for agriculture and grinding mills. Dams have been built to harness the power of the moving water and create electricity. This moving water is a precious resource that can be used twice, once for energy and again to provide the water to homes and businesses. This is an eco-friendly and economically feasible way to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

The earth benefits from the use of alternative fuels sources and solar energy that is a never ending resource for energy. As the dependence on fossil fuel diminishes, the need for solar energy and alternative fuels rises. Economics holds many countries back from developing the technology to utilize solar power or alternative energy sources. As fossil fuels run out, solar energy and alternative fuel sources will no longer be an economic question, but a necessity