SCRIPT
INTRODUCTION:
Would you believe me guys if I tell you right now that the cloth that I am wearing
can generate electricity?
Of course, not! I am only wearing normal clothes. This does not produce anything,
and definitely cannot be a source of electricity. However, a little fun fact for all of
you is that there is a solar cell fabric that can generate electricity.
A solar cell fabric is a material embedded in photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate
electricity when exposed to light. In other words, the fabric is used to make the cells.
These cells, also known as Photovoltaic cells, are an integral part of the solar panel that
consumes solar energy and converts it into electric power.
Solar Energy is the energy obtained by capturing heat and light from the Sun. To
further elaborate solar energy, let us dive in first to its history.
Although photovoltaics (PV), which gave rise to the idea of solar energy, has a
lengthy history, solar energy has found a vibrant and established place in today's
clean energy economy. It's simple to forget that getting solar meant something
entirely different even only 15 years ago given how much the cost of solar has
dropped over the previous ten years. Let's examine the history of silicon solar
technology and travel back a few centuries to the beginnings of solar PV.
The question is, when and where was the solar panel invented?
Solar panel technology was developed with several contributions from diverse
scientists. Naturally, there is considerable disagreement over the precise date of
their creation and the inventor's identity. Some claim that French physicist Edmond
Becquerel, who discovered light could boost energy output when two metal
electrodes were inserted into a conducting solution, is responsible for the discovery
of the solar cell. This innovation, known as the "photovoltaic effect," had an
impact on following selenium-based PV technologies.
Willoughby Smith identified the photoconductive potential of selenium in 1873,
which paved the way for William Adams and Richard Evans Day to identify the
photoelectric effect of selenium in 1876. Some historians attribute Charles Fritts
with the actual creation of solar cells because he produced the first solar cells
manufactured from selenium wafers a few years later, in 1883.
However, silicon, not selenium, is used to create solar cells as we know them
today. Therefore, some believe that Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller, and Daryl
Chapin's development of the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs in 1954 is
responsible for the genuine invention of solar panels. Because it was the first
instance of solar technology that could genuinely power an electric device for a
number of hours throughout the day, many contend that this event represents the
true invention of PV technology. The efficiency of the first silicon solar cell was
only 4%, which is less than a quarter of what modern cells can achieve.
Do you all know when Solar Energy was first used?
Theoretically, people began using solar energy in the seventh century B.C. when
the past teaches us that people formerly utilized magnifying materials and sunlight
to start fires. The Greeks and Romans were known to use mirrors and solar energy
later, in the third century B.C., to light torches for religious rites. Later in 20 A.D.,
Chinese civilisation recorded the use of mirrors for the same purpose, and these
mirrors became a common tool known as "burning mirrors."
The idea of "sunrooms" in buildings was another early application of solar energy
that is still widely used today.
Researchers and scientists used sunlight successfully to power ovens in the late
1700s and early 1800s. They created solar-powered steamboats by harnessing the
sun's energy. In the end, it is evident that the idea of regulating the power of the
sun was a regular practice even thousands of years before the period of solar
panels.
The beginning of solar power in the Philippines
The Philippines had two decades of intense political turmoil between the 1970s and
1980s, which caused the nation to ignore needs like its energy supplies. During this
time, people frequently encountered the inconvenient blackouts and power outages,
which occasionally lasted weeks.
One individual started to look outside the box and gather information to find other
ways to maintain homes well-lit and secure in these trying times. Then he looked
up and started to research how to introduce solar electricity to the Philippines,
something that had never been done before.
Solar energy panels were created in the USA in 1955 and have been around ever
since. There weren't many people prepared to take a chance on delivering such
advanced technology to a developing nation like the Philippines at the time
because the internet hadn't yet been invented.
Robert Lopez-Puckett was our nation's first person to install solar panels in 1976.
By supplying solar energy to power people's homes and buildings, they were able
to maintain communities and enterprises.
In the Philippines, Robert Lopez-Puckett went on to become a Grandmaster of
Renewable Energy and started a number of additional sustainable businesses,
including those that provided wind energy, geothermal energy, hydrothermal
energy, and even the fast expanding e-jeepneys.
At Solaready Inc., one of the most reputable and comprehensive solar energy
companies in the nation, Robert Lopez-Puckett is currently the Managing Director.
They continue to offer high-quality goods and services to meet the demand they
started meeting in 1976. They have only become more resilient and robust in the
face of difficulty.
PROCESS:
How does solar power work?
Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two
forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat.
Both are generated through the use of solar panels, which range in size from
residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land.
How exactly is electricity from solar energy produced?
Solar panels are usually made from silicon, or another semiconductor material
installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. When this material is exposed
to photons of sunlight (very small packets of energy) it releases electrons and
produces an electric charge.
This PV charge creates an electric current (specifically, direct current or DC),
which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then
converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical
current used when you plug appliances into normal wall sockets.
OR
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the solar radiation emitted from the Sun, and the Earth receives
enough of that renewable energy on a daily basis to provide electricity. Humans
have devised several ways to capture solar energy, the most common being the use
of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that convert the sun's rays into usable electricity.
Step 1: Solar Panels Capture Solar Energy
The most common solar panels are made from one of three semiconductors:
monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or thin-film solar cells.
When sunlight hits the thin layer of semiconductive material, it triggers the release
of electrons from silicon atoms. The negatively charged electrons are then attracted
to the positively charged side of the cell. This “photovoltaic effect” forms as a
result of the free-flowing electrons within the solar panel. The moving electrons
create an electric current which is then harnessed by the wiring connected to the
solar panels to produce electricity.
Step 2: Solar Inverters Convert DC to AC
Solar panels produce electricity in the form of direct current (DC), which means
the electricity only flows in one direction. However, your home appliances use
alternating current (AC) electricity, which means the electricity flows in both
directions.
This means that the solar electricity from your panels needs to be converted from
DC to AC to make it usable in your home. To convert DC power to AC power, you
need an inverter.
Step 3: Electrical Panel Distributes Electricity
Your electrical panel distributes electricity throughout your home. The circuit
breakers in the electrical panel can also cut off the flow of current to an electrical
circuit in case a fault or surge occurs, to prevent overload in electrical lines that can
cause damage.
While your solar panels generate electricity, they typically aren’t connected
directly to your appliances or other electronic devices. In terms of understanding
how do solar panels work, they provide electricity to the electrical panel, and your
electrical panel separates that home solar power into individual circuits that run to
everything in the house.
Step 4: Electric Meter Records Consumption and Production
Your electric meter (sometimes called the “utility meter”) is the device your utility
company uses to measure your electricity consumption. It’s how they know what to
bill you each month. A traditional electric meter has analog dials that spin as
current flows through it, which is why the utility company has someone check your
meter in person once a month. Even then, that meter reading is just a summary of
your electricity consumption for the month.
When you go solar, you consume electricity from your solar panels, which lowers
the amount of electricity you consume from the grid. As a result, your electric
meter records a lot less consumption, and you save money by not paying for that
electricity from the utility company.
How Does Solar Energy Interact with Wildlife and the Environment?
- As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is
critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can
also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.
How can solar power protect our future?
Solar power has become one of the most rapidly expanding and most popular renewable
energy sources in the world today. Solar energy has several advantages over other forms
of energy generation. Whether you own a home, a business, or a government building,
installing solar panels can save you money while also benefiting the environment.
1. No more huge electricity bills
Solar panels can help you save a significant amount of money on your electricity
bills. The more power generated by your solar installation, the less electricity you
will need to purchase from the utility provider, lowering your electricity expenses.
2. A secure investment
The use of solar energy is certainly on the rise. Electricity tariffs of utility
providers are hiked unpredictably and without notice. However, with solar
installation, the cost of solar power production remains the same. Even with the
current tariffs, customers are able to get a payback of 2-3 years. This means you
can enjoy free electricity for 20+ years.
3. Solar subsidy
The government is a strong supporter of solar energy programs. Tax incentives are
available for business customers and subsidies are available for homeowners,
making solar power generation more economical.
4. Doesn’t take up extra space
Solar panels can be installed on virtually any style of roof. This keeps the
installation from taking up important ground area on your property. They help
safeguard the shingles on your roof from the elements.
5. Shrink your carbon footprint
Solar panels do not emit any harmful gases and run quietly, making them an
important energy source for combating climate change. A 5kW solar energy
system is equivalent to planting 80 trees annually or reducing carbon emissions by
70 tonnes every year. I. It'll be like planting a forest if your entire neighbourhood
goes solar, benefiting both the economy and the environment. By going solar, you
can have the best of both worlds.
6. Suitable for all climates
While certain countries may have more sunny days than others in terms of solar
power generation, solar panels are nonetheless useful in cooler temperatures.
Germany, for example, is a leader in solar energy despite having hazy and gloomy
days all year.
7. Renewable energy source
The sun, unlike fossil fuels and natural gas, is a renewable energy source. Going
solar has significant environmental benefits because the sun is an unlimited supply
of energy and lowers our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar is the most powerful yet
least expensive source of energy. Our customers in a variety of industries have
reaped significant benefits from their decision to go solar. You can count on Freyr
Energy for quality, honesty, and a hassle-free service.
NET METERING (RA 9513)
WHAT IS NET METERING?
Net metering is available in areas where solar power is used to generate electricity for
residential and commercial consumers. Simply put, net metering allows you to sell
excess electricity back to the utility.
In other words, net metering is a method for utility companies to compensate
homeowners who generate solar energy and store excess electricity on the grid. In
essence, their excess energy is fed back into the grid, and the householder can draw
energy from the grid at night or during other times when they are unable to generate
enough energy to power their home.
According to regulations, compensation varies from state to state and utility company to
utility company. For more information on your local net metering program, it is best to
contact your utility company
Under RA 9513's Net-Metering program, you may install a renewable energy system
with a capacity of up to 100 kW on your property. Any excess renewable energy
electricity produced will be exported back to the utility company and its value will be
credited to your next account.
Installations of renewable energy exceeding 100kW are not covered by the Net Metering
program, but fell under Zero Export (Own Use). However, consumers are still required to
notify the company of such installations to ensure that the RE system does not release
energy back into the grid.
REFERENCES
- https://www.c3controls.com/white-paper/solar-energy-new-trends-in-technol
ogy/#:~:text=The%20potential%20of%20solar%20energy,our%20dependen
ce%20on%20fossil%20fuels.
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-wildlife-and-environment#:~
:text=As%20a%20renewable%20source%20of,water%20use%20from%20e
nergy%20production.
- https://www.lowcarbonenergy.co/news/advantages-of-solar-power/
- How Can Solar Power Protect Our Future (freyrenergy.com)
- https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=fb6a61c56232a49eJmltdHM9MTY4Mz
U5MDQwMCZpZ3VpZD0wOGUyOTg4OS0yZmM0LTYzMDAtMzY1OS
04OWNiMmJjNDY1YjcmaW5zaWQ9NTc2Mg&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=08e
29889-2fc4-6300-3659-89cb2bc465b7&psq=benefits+of+solar+energy&u=a
1aHR0cHM6Ly9ncmVlbmNvYXN0Lm9yZy9lbnZpcm9ubWVudGFsLWJlb
mVmaXRzLW9mLXNvbGFyLWVuZXJneS8&ntb=1
- 10 Disadvantages of Solar Energy & Cons of Solar Panels (ecavo.com)
