| You've no doubt heard about solar power. With all the | | | | solar heat into solar energy for electrical use around |
| buzz about global warming and rising energy costs, | | | | your home. |
| solar power is fast becoming a very popular option for | | | | The second type of solar panels in solar power: how it |
| saving money while saving the environment. But few | | | | works are solar thermal collectors. These types of |
| of us actually know how solar power works. If you | | | | solar panels are much more versatile. They are used |
| are interested in becoming educated about solar | | | | on homes and business, but can also be used directly |
| power: how it works, then read on! | | | | on water tanks and to heat swimming pools. These |
| There are many different types of solar power. But | | | | work similarly to photo voltaic panels, but they do not |
| for our information on solar power: how it works, we | | | | convert their thermal energy into electrical energy. |
| will be focusing on the traditional solar power panels, | | | | They simply store the heat from the sun, and then |
| either the kind that you place on your roof, the side of | | | | transfer it to the places where heating is needed, be it |
| your home, or use to heat your swimming pool. There | | | | indoors, or heating water such as the water in |
| are two types of solar panels, photovoltaic modules, | | | | swimming pools. They are also used in simple solar |
| and solar thermal collectors. Photo voltaic panels are | | | | energy applications, such as powering calculators and |
| use to generate electricity, while solar thermal | | | | wrist watches and pumping and aerating water. |
| collectors are used to generate heat, either to heat | | | | Finally, when it comes to solar power: how it works, |
| water, or to heat air. Both types of panels look about | | | | you might also be interested in passive solar power. |
| the same and they are usually installed right alongside | | | | Passive solar power is a term used to describe the |
| each other for maximum solar usage. | | | | method of using the sun without specialized panels. |
| The first type of solar panel we will discuss in solar | | | | This might include simple solar water heating, smart |
| power: how it works, are photo voltaic modules. These | | | | window installation, or specialized insulation in your |
| solar panels are used to generate electricity by | | | | home. You can do such simple things as set up a |
| converting solar heat into energy. These are | | | | water tank in your yard to heat water, then pump it or |
| comprised of "cells" and are arranged on a flat grid. | | | | even haul it manually into your home. Or you might |
| These cells are usually contained within glass to | | | | choose to use windows to maximize sun power by |
| protect the panel from environmental damage. The | | | | installing sky lights and light shelves or putting windows |
| cells are connected by "strings", or "ribbons" that carry | | | | in the right places to ensure you don't have to use as |
| and transfer the energy between the cells. Once the | | | | much traditional, electric lighting in your home. |
| sunlight is captured, the cells are able to convert the | | | | |