Renewable Energy 101: How Does Solar Energy Work?

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The sun has powered organic life on planet Earth since before human beings even existed. And we've attempted to harness the power of solar energy since the very beginning. Although early uses for solar energy revolved around methods to ignite a fire, the 20th century introduced mankind to the potential of solar electricity. In this video, we'll explore the technology behind a solar power system and how it converts the sun's rays into clean, renewable energy while caring for Mother Earth. It's an energy strategy that proves working with nature can yield greater results than trying to fight against it. You can visit our website for more information today!

Transcript:

Renewable Energy 101

Question: What's the most abundant energy source in our solar system? Here's a hint, it's 1 million times bigger than the Earth and without it our planet would be a dark, cold rock floating in space. You guessed it: the incredible, brilliant sun.

The Earth gets more energy from this ball of fire and gas in one day than the whole world's population uses in an entire year. Every living thing depends on the sun for its existence, from tiny microbes deep in the ocean to plants, animals and people.

Humans have been tinkering with solar energy since the dawn of time. Ancient civilizations used glass and mirrors to light fires, but it wasn't until the 1950s that technology was developed to convert the sun's energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells. Today, solar technology is more efficient and less expensive and is used all around the globe to create electricity, heat water, cook food and even power vehicles.

So how do solar panels usually work? When the sun hits a solar panel, material inside (usually silicon) absorbs the energy. This causes the electrons and its atoms to get very excited and start dancing around. The atoms then get hot and shed the electrons, which travel out of the panel through copper wiring and — ZAP! — we have electricity! A control device called an inverter changes this electricity from direct current to the alternating current we use. The electricity then passes from breaker boxes to outlets and into electrical items like a computer and lights. Whatever you don't use can go back into the grid to be used by someone else.

So there you have it — the amazing power of the sun. Some people see a future where most of our energy can come from this pollution-free and renewable resource, and that's a sunny outlook that will make the whole world smile!

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🎯 Key points for quick navigation:

00:00 *Abundant solar energy.*
00:42 *Solar tech development.*
01:08 *Solar panel process.*
01:50 *Solar's bright future.*

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katiebun
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Ty this helped me with my school project!

xotic
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In High School I learned that energy comes in two forms, kinetic and potential.

Potential energy is primarily energy stored in fossil fuels since time began. Kinetic energy is, in this discussion, real time wind and solar energy. Before kinetic energy can replace potential energy, it must first be stored. Given that fossil fuel energy is solar energy stored since the beginning of time, the storage capacity needed approaches infinity.

So, the whole idea that wind nd solar can replace fossil fuel is next to impossible!

chriskapsambelis
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Such a good video, I am fan of your channel😍

aryanstudios
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i think your product is very nice and i would like to know about it

augustineamankwah
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Only 1.54 video I think it will have 30.00 minutes video

renitamoras
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Misleading, There is no pollution free energy harvesting device

ArthursHD