Instructions

1.
o 1

Understand solar energy. Solar energy is heat and light, which has the
qualities of waves and individual particles called photons across a vast
range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The sun is a nuclear furnace,
converting hydrogen to helium through nuclear fusion. The sun releases
the energy of 100 billion H-bombs every second. It's a very efficient
process, converting mass directly to energy through Albert Einstein's
famous equation: E= MC2 where E is energy, M is Mass and C is the
speed of light times itself. At 186,000 miles per second light is the fastest
speed in the universe. A tiny bit of mass can make a vast amount of
energy.

o 2

Realize how energy is converted. Energy is transformed from one form to

another by a device known as a transducer. A microphone converts the
sound waves to electricity. To convert solar radiation to electricity we
need to start with a solar panel.

o 3

Look into solar panels. Solar photo voltaic cells (PVC) are essentially
semi-conductors, which have electrical transmission properties existing
between conductors like metal or salt water and insulators like rubber.
Solar panels are constructed with sheets of doped silicon, the primary
element in beach sand, with impurities added like phosphorus that allow
electrons to flow. When the kinetic solar energy of moving photons hits a
PVC, a flow of electrons starts that can be drawn off by a pair of wires,
creating direct current (DC) like a battery.

o 4

Check with your local utility for rebates and with your state government
and the federal government for tax breaks. Once you get a clear
understanding as to what help is available, do the math. In many states a
solar system will pay for itself in a dozen years. In all cases, if you finance
a solar installation with a home equity loan, the interest is tax-deductible.

o 5

Install solar panels in an area, preferably a roof, where they will get the
most unobstructed exposure to the sun for most of the year. The best way
 to do this is to get a reliable solar contractor by referral. In some cases,
calling your local utility is a good place to start.

o 6

Get and install an inverter. Unlike battery power, your house current is
alternating, which reverses directing sixty times a second. Before using
solar energy to power your appliances, it has to be converted by a device
known as an inverter. With most utilities today an inverter will also allow
you to feed power back to the electric grid so on a bright sunny day, while
you are at work, your electric meter will run backwards.

Photovoltaic Devices
o Photovoltaic devices, also called solar cells, convert sunlight directly into
electricity. Sunlight contains photons, which are energy particles.
Photovoltaic devices absorb photons, which dislodge electrons from the
photovoltaic cell. The electrons move towards the surface, creating a
direct current similar to a battery.
 Concentrating Solar Plants
o Concentrating solar power plants collect heat, which produces steam. The
steam then powers a generator, which produces electricity.

Benefits
o Solar energy is renewable, which means it will not run out. In addition, it
produces no greenhouse gases or pollution. Photovoltaic devices require
little maintenance and repair, since they contain no moving parts.

Drawbacks
o Solar energy usually requires large spaces to collect sunlight efficiently. In
addition, sunlight levels change by time of year, time of day and weather
conditions. Large solar power plants also may damage ecosystems if they
are not properly managed.

Applications of solar technology

Solar energy refers primarily to the use of solar radiation for practical ends. However, all
renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal, derive their energy from the sun.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the
way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques use
photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar
techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing
spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to the Sun.
Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply side
technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and
are generally considered demand side technologies.[16]
A one-axis sun position tracking device with its rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis
of the Earth, rotates perpetually at a constant speed in the opposite direction of the Earth's
rotation. This device comprises a shaft that is aligned to the Earth's polar axis, one or
more crossbars are rigidly attached to and perpendicular to the shaft, solar energy
collectors are mounted on the crossbar and could rotate around the crossbar that defines
declination angle. A self-latched declination angle adjustment mechanism keeps the
declination angle constant at most of time. A drive mechanism keeps this solar tracker to
rotate perpetually. An automatic and abrupt declination angle change will keep the
declination angle updated to correct value each day. A similarly configured two-axis
tracker that continuously updates its declination angle by a mechanism derived from a
differential coaxial rotation. Two independent driving mechanisms control the speed
and/or duration of the two coaxial rotations, and are programmed to eliminate all tracking