For so many, how they get power is just as important as the amount of power they consume. Given today’s environmentally conscious consumers and the movement to stop or slow global warming, there is a growing concern that traditional sources of power are no longer sufficient to stop the spread of climate change. Consumers and business leaders are turning to new, innovative, and, most importantly, renewable sources of power which replace traditional sources of power. This pivot to new sources of power can and has been accomplished by hydro and wind power but also has success when solar power is involved. Below, we’ll discuss how solar power can be a significant contributor to creating power as it stands and what new, exciting developments have come about.
What is solar power and how does it work?
Solar power is, simply, energy harnessed from the sun’s rays which is then used to power cells via solar panels. Panels are often placed on top of buildings in order to absorb as much of the sun’s rays as possible. This then creates an electrical process that allows the panels to transfer power to the building they are placed on. Any excess power after the building has consumed all needed power can then be sent to the power grid for use by other buildings or for other endeavors.
Notably, this isn’t the only way to place solar panels. There are large areas with many solar panels (known as solar farms) in sunny places throughout the country that do not have the typical “drain” associated with panels feeding a building. This allows for power to be sent to the power grid from a renewable source and ensure that homes, businesses, and industry is powered by an environmentally friendly source.
What new methods can help improve solar power?
Recent studies have given lift to the idea that solar power can get even better and more accessible in the years to come. One method is incorporating oxygen into solar panels to be able to create an electrical process by capturing what is known as “invisible light,” which is light that the human eye is unable to capture unaided. Additionally, new materials may make the manufacture of solar panels cheaper, so they can be used in a more widespread manner not just on solar farms but more frequently in residential dwellings or in other ways that we may not have yet considered due to the sometimes cost prohibitive nature.
What does this mean for the future of renewable energy?
Renewable energy, specifically solar, now has the potential to play an even greater role in our country’s energy supply and power grid. No matter whether a community or state decides to use traditional solar panels or a newly improved solar panel setup, we can be assured that the future with solar power will be bright.