A walkthrough of what is solar energy, how it captured and how you can use it is your day to day activities.

1. What is Solar
Energy
BY THEMBA MBEWE

2. What is solar Energy?
Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. The solar energy that comes from the sun is enough to give us all the energy tha
we need. It is also important to note that all forms of energy. From fossil fuels to wind energy can be traced back to energy that is
originally supplied by the sun.

3. HOW DOES SOLAR ENERGY REACH THE EARTH.
At this point, I should say that the intensity of solar radiation. Varies with the square of the distance traveled. Between earth and the sun.In order for you to
understand how solar energy travel to reach the earth. There are a number of factors to be considered.
1. Atmospheric clarity
2. Distance of travel through the atmosphere
3. The angle of incidence.
ATMOSPHERIC CLARITY.
This is the condition of the atmosphere at any time of the day. When I talk about atmospheric clarity, I refer to the state of the atmosphere. Below is a list of the
conditions:
● Clear
● Cloudy
● Raining
● Dusty
● Windy

4. For this reason, it is important to note that the best days for solar gain are clear and dry.
Cloud cover, rain, humidity air pollution and dust in the atmosphere, all reflect, absorb, and scatter solar radiation. Therefore, energy
reflected back into space, is lost to us.
Absorbed radiation heats the atmosphere. And is responsible in part for the wind that turns the wind turbines. This bad thing is the
absorbed energy is not available for direct collection.
Direct radiation, and some that are scattered by the atmosphere, makes up the total radiation available to solar collectors
DISTANCE OF TRAVEL
The quality of solar radiation reaching the piles of the earth’s surface.It is affected by the distance it travels through the atmosphere. The
energy that is not scattered is absorbed by:
● Moisture
● Gases
● Dust.
The greater the distance traveled, the greater the sun’s energy is lost in the atmosphere. When you study the distanced traveled by
solar energy through the atmosphere, you will realise that it is affected by:

5. ● Time of the day
● Latitude
● Season
● Altitude.
At sunrise and sunset, the sun’s energy most travel through far more atmosphere than in the middle of the day.
Latitude also affects the distance the sun’s energy must travel through the atmosphere. The closer you are to
the equator, The less atmosphere between you and the sun.
Regardless of where you are, you receive more solar energy in summer than at any time of the year.
Altitude above sea level also affects how much solar energy you receive. The person on a higher altitude will
receive more solar energy than a person at a lower altitude. This because when you are on high altitude, the
distance of travel through the atmosphere to earth’s surface is reduced.

6. SOLAR ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND INCIDENT OF RADIATION
What is this angle that determines the intensity of the solar energy reaching the earth’s surface. I know you are
asking what is the solar angle of incidence? This is the angle at which the sun’s ray strikes the earth’s surface.
You may be asking as to what is the solar intensity. This is the amount of solar energy or sunlight striking the
earth’s surface.
How does the angle of incidence affect the intensity of solar energy? Let us take an example of the sun at midday.
At midday, the sun’s ray strikes the earth’s surface at a right angle. This shows that the intensity of solar energy is
more at midday than at either sunrise or sunset.
The other thing to note is that when the sun strikes the earth’s surface at a right angle. The sun’s rays are closely
packed, and covering a small area, but with high intensity. When the sun’s ray strikes the earth’s surface. Let’s
say at 45 degrees, the sun’s ray covers a wide surface area but with reduced solar energy intensity. The intensity
of solar energy reduces with the reduction of the angle of incidence.

7. How is solar Energy used in real life?
I would like to say that with the increase in the cost of convention form of energy. More people are looking for alternative
forms of energy. Not only are we faced with an increase in the cost of energy. But the pollution of the environment as well.
Therefore, more and more people are looking for alternative forms of energy. That contributes to protecting the
environment. Thus maintaining a clean and green environment.
I will highlight ways in which solar energy is used, by limiting the discussion to two methods of capturing solar energy.
The methods used to harvest solar power are:
1. Solar thermal collectors and
2. Solar electric collectors
Below is the various specific way solar energy is used.
1. Solar hot domestic water
2. Solar pool heating
3. Solar electricity
4. Other uses of solar energy.

8. SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS
For you to understand and appreciate solar thermal
collectors. It is desirable to know that there are two types of
solar thermal systems. What are these two ways of capturing
solar thermal energy? The first one is passive and the second
one is active.
A passive solar system captures the sun’s energy as it enters
a building without relying on a motor-driven circulator or
fan. Once the captured energy is in the house. It can be
stored in the mass of the building and distributed by natural
means.
An active solar thermal system . Collectors capture the sun’s
energy as heat. Then the collector transfers the heat through
a liquid. The heated fluid is moved through the collector by a
motor-driven circulator or fan. The heated water is then
transferred or taken where it can be used immediately or
stored to be used later.
Evacuated tube collectors

9. CONVERT SOLAR TO ELECTRICITY
Just like in hot solar domestic water heaters, for solar energy to convert to electricity, it needs solar electric collectors. Solar electric
collectors , convert solar radiation directly into electricity. Solar electric collectors can either be modular or laminate.
When solar energy is converted to electricity,it is in direct current form. Therefor an inverter is used to convert DC power to AC.
TYPES OF SOLAR ELECTRIC COLLECTORS.
The collectors are made from either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. Mono and polycrystalline modules are the majority of solar
modules on the market.
Polycrystalline electric collectors are more popular and less expensive than a monocrystalline module. When a semiconducting
material is protected by glass and it is not flexible it is called a module. And when it is protected by a flexible cover it is called a
laminate.
At this point, it is good to mention that a single solar cell combines to form a module and modules form arrays.

10. TO KNOW MORE CHECK THIS AT
https://theoppowersolutions.com/what-is-solar-energy/