What is solar energy?
Most of us think of solar energy as sunlight, and that is correct. In addition to the portion of solar radiation that the human eye can see as sunlight, the spectrum includes other forms of energy including ultraviolet light and infrared radiation. We use solar energy either as light energy, which can also be turned into electric current by what are called photovoltaic cells, or as heat, also called thermal energy.
Solar energy is the general term used for capturing and using the sun’s energy to perform useful work, such as producing heating for homes or businesses or converting the sun’s energy into electricity. Solar thermal energy systems usually use rooftop panels to produce hot water or hot air for heating solar photovoltaic systems use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Solar energy is energy directly from the Sun. This energy drives the climate and weather and supports virtually all life on Earth. Heat and light from the sun, along with solar-based resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available flow of renewable energy.
A solar energy system creates usable power from sunshine. There are two basic kinds of systems: Photovoltaic or PV uses sunlight to generate electricity. It’s the same technology found on pocket calculators, just on a larger scale. PV systems can be designed to generate all of the electricity used in your home, or just a portion of it. Thermal Solar uses sunlight to heat water. Typically this is used for a home’s hot-water supply. A well-designed thermal system can be extremely effective, and provide most of the hot water used in your home. New York Solar Solutions supplies both kinds of systems. Both let you do your part towards reducing greenhouse gases and improving the environment.
