Solar energy
The term solar energy refers to the use of energy from the Sun. By installing solar panels and other systems, it can be used to obtain thermal energy or for electricity generation.
It is a renewable energy source, considered inexhaustible on a human scale. Therefore, it is an alternative to fossil fuels without the emission of polluting gases into the earth's atmosphere.
What can you find on this website? This website offers information about solar energy and some physical aspects related to this energy source.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the energy contained in solar radiation. The origin of the energy that the Sun emits is due to the nuclear fusion reactions that take place in the nucleus of the star of the solar system. The radiation travels to Earth through electromagnetic radiation and can later be used.
In this section, we analyze the general concepts of solar energy, such as:
The definition of the concept of solar radiation.
The advantages and disadvantages of using solar energy installations.
Examples of solar energy: we present some instances in which this energy is used to obtain heat or electricity in everyday life and the industrial world.
Types of solar energy: we explain the different ways in which the power of the Sun can be used.
Photovoltaic Solar Energy
Photovoltaic solar energy is used to produce electricity. This type of photovoltaic installation is made up of photovoltaic solar panels. These panels are made up of solar cells that generate a movement of electrons when light photons hit them.
The current generated is direct current, so depending on the majority of facilities are equipped with current inverters to transform it into alternating current.
In this section, we explain the following concepts:
Characteristics of electrical installations connected to the network and autonomous facilities.
Essential elements for a photovoltaic solar installation.
What is the photovoltaic effect that converts light into an electric current.
Thermal Solar Energy
Solar thermal energy is another way to use solar radiation to obtain heat. The operating principle is based on using solar collectors to increase the temperature of a heat transfer fluid, increasing its internal energy.
In this section, we analyze the following concepts:
Uses and applications of this technology: examples of the use of solar thermal energy.
Types of solar thermal plants: these plants are classified by temperatures depending on the application for which they are designed
Essential components in this type of facility.
Energy Sources
Solar energy is a renewable energy source. In this section, we address the different ways of obtaining energy, and you will find information about:
Renewable energy: Besides solar power, many other renewable energy sources exist. This section lists the different types of renewable resources to obtain electricity.
Non-renewable energies: definition and characteristics of energy resources that do not regenerate independently. We thoroughly explain fossil fuels and how they are used to obtain electrical or mechanical energy.
Electricity
The purpose of photovoltaic solar energy is to obtain electricity. Therefore, it is necessary to know the basics of electricity. In this section, you will find information about:
The different types of electricity.
The laws of electricity: a simple description of the main laws, principles, and theorems that regulate electricity.
Essential concepts such as electric current, circuits, and electric fields.
Thermodynamics: Laws, Processes, and Systems
Solar thermal energy's objective is to convert solar energy into thermal energy. Therefore, knowledge of how heat flows through the elements involved in a solar thermal installation is essential to understand its operation.
In this section, you will find basic information about:
Basic thermodynamics concepts include thermodynamic systems and processes and essential properties such as temperature.
Solar System: the Sun and the Earth
The solar system is a group of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and other objects that orbit around the Sun, our nearby star. The Sun is the primary energy source in the solar system, and its energy manifests itself in light and heat.
The solar energy we harness on Earth comes from the Sun, the only star in our solar system. For this reason, it is appropriate to create a section to explain the composition of the solar system. In this section, we discuss aspects such as:
The Sun: characteristics, layers, and composition.
Earth: Earth's layers, magnetic field, and climate-altering effects.
The planets of the solar system making a brief review of the planets that make up our system.
Geometry: Figures and Geometric Bodies
Geometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the properties and relationships of figures in space and the plane. Geometric figures are shapes that can be defined by their characteristics, such as their sides, angles, and dimensions.
Geometry is vital in our daily life since it is present in many situations and objects that surround us, from architecture and object design to technology and natural sciences.
This section will explore some of the most common geometric shapes, polyhedra, and solid shapes in general. We will learn their characteristics, properties, and how they can be used in everyday life.
