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Ways of Converting Sunlight into Energy
There are a host of environmental issues that have risen from the realm of energy production. Outdated methods of production such as the use of coal, are not only bad for the environment, but are also a depleting resource. It is for this reason that the push to discover and implement more forms of renewable energy is a major concern for countries around the world. In terms of renewable energy, there are several paths that are being taken, but there are few choices for renewable energy more obvious and abundant than our sun. The sun has facilitated life on Earth for millions of years, and through advancements in science it is becoming possible for sunlight to be converted into a viable source of renewable energy.
One of the main ways that sunlight is converted into energy is through the use of photovoltaics. In the most basic definition, photovoltaic (PV) technology comes from the process of using semiconductors to convert solar radiation into direct current electricity. Surprisingly, this technology is not that new. In 1954, United States scientists discovered that single silicon crystals could be made into photovoltaic cells and even the early forms of the technology could convert up to10% of incoming sunlight into electricity. Individual silicon cells are placed together into one larger module and when sunlight hits the silicon photovoltaic cells, it is then processed and sent to a battery or other electrical generator. As the years have passed, PV technology has become more efficient and is capable of converting 17% of incoming sunlight into electricity.
The rate of energy converted with the use of PV technology is still low when compared to the potential that the energy potential that sunlight creates. Problems with affordability have hindered the advancement of PV technology. Many countries cannot economically justify switches to solar technology because it is far more expensive then grid based electrical systems. Furthermore, the process of creating silicon PV cells is nearly as unaffordable as when the technology was first developed more than fifty years ago. It is predicted that once PV cells and modules become more cost effective, there will be a great jump in support of solar technology. Not only will cheaper PV technology mean that it will be easier to implement on an international level, but it is also predicted that, with enough research, they will be able to convert up to 40% of incoming sunlight. When these advancements materialize, sunlight can become the headlining source of renewable energy in the world.
The use of solar energy is not limited to PV technology however; there are a variety of other ways that sunlight is converted to usable forms of energy. A developing form of solar energy is the use of hybrid solar lighting. This process involves using optical fibers and focusing mirrors to collect sunlight and convert up to 50% of the sunlight into interior lighting. Solar thermal energy is also a useful way of converting sunlight into energy. Sunlight has been a proven method of water disinfection, water heating and process heat. These processes vary from simply exposing water directly to sunlight for a predetermined amount of time, which is the case for water disinfection to the use of parabolic dishes that capture and convert sunlight into power for process heating and air conditioning. A new, experimental form of solar power is harness through the use of solar ponds. The use of solar ponds relies on having a shallow body of water with a high salt solution on the bottom and a weak solution on the surface. The difference in density creates higher temperatures at the bottom depth. Once the high temperatures are created, they can then be converted into energy. Solar ponds are another form of sunlight energy conversion as old as a process as PV technology, but with currently a 2% efficiency rate, there is still much development to be done.
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