hoe does solar energy work?
448134
It work off of Einstein's photoelectric effect. Light is an electromagetic wave propagating through space, but due to Quantum Mechanics it can also be viewed as particles. The energy of these particles, called photons, is dependent upon the frequency of the light. The higher the frequency the higher the energy. If the frequency and thus the energy of a photon is high enough it can knock an electron out of its atomic orbital. \n  Now the problem is that one can not predict in which direction the electron is going to travel, however there are special transitionary elements between the metals and non metals called semiconductors. These semiconductors are divided into two classes p-type and n-type. Now if one places a film of n-type semiconductor against a film of p-type semiconductor they produce a diode which allows electric current to only flow in one direction from the n-type side to the p-type side. So only the electrons that are knocked from the n-type side to the p-type side are compelled to stay put, but as more and more electrons are knocked over to the p-type side a a voltage potential starts to develope.
118060
It is used to generate electricity.
413368
Energy demand will keep on increasing. So there will be substitute sources of energy like solar cell and water. A lot of research is going on to make this alternate sources working and cheaper than the conventional ones like mineral fuels.
1129308
solar energy is an exotic source of energy in Canada.  the cost of generating energy in this manner has limited it to people who want to supplement their own energy needs by installing solar panels on their roof to help in heating their water or cooling or heating their home. there are much more cost-effective ways to generate electricity such as building dams to generate hydro-electric power, or wind turbines to do the same. the high start up costs and the long time that a solar energy cell takes to pay-off the investment is the main reason it has not become more widespread. until there is a breakthrough in the production of more efficient and economical solar panels, it is likely that the situation will remain the same.
1144729
(m)\n\nMake a solar cell in your kitchen\n\nWe found this article on http://www.scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/echem2.html \n\nIt was super, super, super cool, so we thank them for allowing us to post it at TheSolarPlan.com!  This is nifty!\n\nA solar cell is a device for converting energy from the sun into electricity. The high-efficiency solar cells you can buy at Radio Shack and other stores are made from highly processed silicon, and require huge factories, high temperatures, vacuum equipment, and lots of money. \n\nIf we are willing to sacrifice efficiency for the ability to make our own solar cells in the kitchen out of materials from the neighborhood hardware store, we can demonstrate a working solar cell in about an hour. \n \nOur solar cell is made from cuprous oxide instead of silicon. Cuprous oxide is one of the first materials known to display the photoelectric effect, in which light causes electricity to flow in a material. \n\nThinking about how to explain the photoelectric effect is what led Albert Einstein to the Nobel prize for physics, and to the theory of relativity.\n\nMaterials you will need \n\nThe solar cell is made from these materials: \nA sheet of copper flashing from the hardware store. This normally costs about $5.00 per square foot. We will need about half a square foot. \nTwo alligator clip leads. \nA sensitive micro-ammeter that can read currents between 10 and 50 microamperes. Radio Shack sells small LCD multimeters that will do, but I used a small surplus meter with a needle. \nAn electric stove. My kitchen stove is gas, so I bought a small one-burner electric hotplate for about $25. The little 700 watt burners probably won't work -- mine is 1100 watts, so the burner gets red hot. \nA large clear plastic bottle off of which you can cut the top. I used a 2 liter spring water bottle. A large mouth glass jar will also work. \nTable salt. We will want a couple tablespoons of salt. \nTap water. \nSand paper or a wire brush on an electric drill. \nSheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow to build the solar cell \n\nMy burner looks like this: \n\nThe first step is to cut a piece of the copper sheeting that is about the size of the burner on the stove. Wash your hands so they don't have any grease or oil on them. Then wash the copper sheet with soap or cleanser to get any oil or grease off of it. Use the sandpaper or wire brush to thoroughly clean the copper sheeting, so that any sulphide or other light corrosion is removed. \n\nNext, place the cleaned and dried copper sheet on the burner and turn the burner to its highest setting. \n\nAs the copper starts to heat up, you will see beautiful oxidation patterns begin to form. Oranges, purples, and reds will cover the copper. \n\n\nAs the copper gets hotter, the colors are replaced with a black coating of cupric oxide. This is not the oxide we want, but it will flake off later, showing the reds, oranges, pinks, and purples of the cuprous oxide layer underneath. \n\n\n\nThe last bits of color disappear as the burner starts to glow red. \n\nWhen the burner is glowing red-hot, the sheet of copper will be coated with a black cupric oxide coat. Let it cook for a half an hour, so the black coating will be thick. This is important, since a thick coating will flake off nicely, while a thin coat will stay stuck to the copper. \n\n\nAfter the half hour of cooking, turn off the burner. Leave the hot copper on the burner to cool slowly. If you cool it too quickly, the black oxide will stay stuck to the copper. \n\nAs the copper cools, it shrinks. The black cupric oxide also shrinks. But they shrink at different rates, which makes the black cupric oxide flake off. \n\n\nThe little black flakes pop off the copper with enough force to make them fly a few inches. This means a little more cleaning effort around the stove, but it is fun to watch. \n\n\nWhen the copper has cooled to room temperature (this takes about 20 minutes), most of
310959
Solar energy is horribly inefficient, it only converts appx 3-4% of the energy available it, it costs a fortune to. i would suggest using a different form of renewable source. use solar energy to heat you water (very simple non-electrical system - black hose-piping within a black box - supprisingly effective for what you may thtink it is, this also saves money on electricity. \n\nYou could convert your central heating to a heat engine system (loads of info online about it) - expensive outlay but unlike solar cells very efficient with it.\n\nother than that common household electrical requirements nowadays are sickening and really need the national grid juice to power it. If you have a river/stream by your house tha can easily be harnessed to power all your lights, refridgerator and basic amenities ... - however how many ppl actually have a stream... LUCKY BAS***D'S!\n\nGood luck with What ever you do, any one cutting down their fuel useage is good!!!
1129201
stand in the hot sun long enough, youll sweat, there u go, solar energy
911532
Ok you need a bowl of water and the sun. The energy is trapped (at least temporarily) in the water, as heat.
1073053
A solution could absorb energy from photons, but they are a measurement of light. Rather than being absorbed, for example, the solar radiation breaks down chemicals in the leaves of plants which allows the plants to form food. Rather than being absorbed, the energy causes a change, such as increased temperature and chemical reaction.
241716
A solar cell is usually a combination of materials, the photons in the sunlight strips electrons form one layer of materials to the other and moving electrons induces a current. Newer solar cells have multiple layers the work with the different wavelengths of the sunlight to increase the efficiency. Average power of sunlight on the earth is roughly 1000 watts per square meter. SO you can see a solar power station need a lot of room to generate enough power. The encapsulation of the cell to protect the cells also reduces the efficiency of the cells.
313345
solar,  sun light, hydrogen
1061994
Considering that sunlight could be considered a "cosmic ray", and there are a few different means of producing electricity from sunlight, the answer is yes.
307572
you can use any part of the elecromagnetic spectrum for for solar power as long as the material can absorb it and produce electricity. \n\na crystal radio ( or even a regular radio ) uses the radio waves ( not visible ) to create a tiny current in the radio that are converted to sound waves for our pleasure.  \n\nwhat part of the spectrum used depends entirely on your choice of material.
587734
Yes....do it on alternative energy sources
381276
All of this are plus gas,petrol and nuclear energy. Water, wind and sun are called renewable energy resources.
369509
1.) Solar heat collectors that store sun energy in oil or water. Walls that are a foot thick will heat up during the day and release the heat into the house at night.  \n2.) Burn renewable fuels like alcohol/ wood/ charcoal/ biogas/ natural fat candles\n3.) Compost/fermentation - Decomposing organic material generates heat, it was used to heat greenhouses years ago. The irish used to make poteen by fermenting potatoes, sugar and water. The pot filled with the mash gave off heat so they would put the pots in their beds to warm them up.  \n4.) Body warmth - fill your home up with animals or friends (humans generate about 60 watts depending on size)\n5.) Reversible exothermic (give off heat) chemical reactions - certain salts and water mixed together generate a lot of heat. The japanese are developing self heating cans using this concept. \n6.) Friction rub the house walls to warm them up.\n7.) Drop heavy objects from a height and when they hit the floor the kinetic energy turnms into thermal energy\n8.) If you are not living n the house fill the house up with radioctive material like plutonium that will make the house hot.
397245
um solar panels? i dont know how they work though so i dunno.