9781422271483

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What Do Solar Power Technicians Do? What Is Solar Power? Solar power is energy that is produced by harvesting the heat and energy of the sun. It’s a popular source of renewable energy in the United States, and in many other countries. Solar energy is popular because it is a constant, dependable source of energy. It is captured via several methods. Thermal collectors are used to capture solar energy and convert it to solar thermal energy to heat water for residential or business use. This captured solar energy is also converted into electricity. Solar-collecting power plants use the heat from the sun to heat fluids and turn them into steam. This steam creates combustion to power generators. Solar photovoltaic devices, or solar cells, convert the sun’s energy directly into electricity. A small solar cell can power a small electrical device. Large groups of photovoltaic solar panels (known as solar farms) generate electricity for transmission to and distribution on the electric grid . Solar power does have a few drawbacks. Solar energy is, of course, not available 24 hours a day, although it can be stored in batteries for use when no light is available. The amount of sunlight available varies based on location, time of day and year, and weather conditions. Additionally, the level of the sun’s energy that reaches the earth’s surface is quite small. As a result, large areas are needed to collect the energy of the sun and make it useful.

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