Solar Energy

Beginner’s guide to understanding Solar Power Plant

solar power plant
credit: avenston.com

Advanced technologies used to harness power from the sun are emerging and taking over the conventional way of getting electricity. these technologies have been known to generate clean, renewable and sustainable energy and yet, they are cost free.

With these, the amount of emission in the atmosphere can be reduced and the issue of climate change can be addressed at the same time.

Remember solar energy, solar panels are all familiar but solar power plants are a step away from what is known. While solar energy is the power derived from the sun, solar panels are placed at the roof top to harness the sun, solar power plants are a step further.

Solar power plant is done in a larger facility where sunlight is converted into energy and electricity either directly, like photovoltaics or done indirectly like solar thermal plants.

These solar power plants come in different types and they use different techniques to harness the energy from the sun to produce clean energy and electricity.

First there is the photovoltaic power plant, which makes use of large areas of photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The cells are made from silicon alloys and it is familiar with many people because it is commonly used.

Then there is the solar thermal power plant. This particular solar plant focuses  on or takes sunlight in a way as to generate steam to feed a turbine and supply electricity.
The solar thermal power plant is further divided into 3 types, the linear, the parabolic trough solar thermal and the solar dish power plants. 

This type of solar power plant makes use of large facilities which consist of parallel rows of solar collectors. It can store power that can be used at night when there is no sun or during cloudy weather. They are constructed on a wide open space, which could be called a solar farm and they can produce a significant amount of electricity.

Climate change has led to the growth of these technologies, a bigger way to get energy and electricity to further reduce the rise of carbon footprint.
Solar plants are a major key to clean energy, the sun gives off energy that is enough to power the whole earth.

Can it help the climate?

The amount of greenhouse gas emission has increased causing the climate to suffer, solar energy shouldn’t be a debate as to if it can help the climate.

Solar power plants get their energy from the sun, convert it into electricity, meaning that it is renewable, it is carbon free and always available in every part of the world.

It has a great potential of reducing the emission from fossil fuels. What’s more; it is cost-free which is good for the economy.

Solar power plant is one technology that can be used to generate clean electricity without the conventional use of fossil fuels and achieving the set climate goal.

These solar types can be used in communities without a suitable rooftop to install the local solar panels, they can still use this solar power plant without cost too as it requires little or no maintenance.

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