Using Solar Power for Lighting at Home

For more than twenty years, we have been hearing that one day we would be able to use the solar power to generate free electric power for our homes. This is a great promise, and could become true, as the sun gives us more energy in a day than we could globally use in 27 years! To begin with, we could use the sun’s energy to light our homes, indoors and outdoors, with no electrical cost, other than the charges for the installation of the equipment.

Let us see how we can convert solar power to create electricity for lighting products.

Photovoltaics – Converting Photons to Electrons

Through photovoltaics, by the use of semi-conductors, we can directly convert sunlight into electricity. This is all it takes to power our homes. This is how photovoltaics work.

A photovoltaic cell is made of semi-conductor materials, such as silicon, that absorbs a portion of the sunlight that falls on it. A number of photovoltaic cells are connected, in series or parallel, to form a solar panel. The solar energy produced by these solar panels depends on the number of individual cells in the panel, and the way these cells are arranged. Cells in a panel are arranged in such a way to produce voltages in increments of 12, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, 36 volts, etc.

The streams of energy particles from sunlight are called photons. These photons generate electricity on hitting the silicon atoms of the solar cells. Mirrored dishes, and Fresnel lenses – which are concentric rings of segmental lenses – are used to concentrate photons on the photovoltaic cells, and liberate the electrons on hitting the negatively charged plates. This flowing of electrons is an electric current, which can be drawn off to use externally for lighting.

The advantage of using photovoltaics to generate electricity for lighting, and other uses, is that it is non-polluting. It requires very little or no maintenance, and as it has no moving parts, is silent during operation. For use of electricity at night to light up the homes, indoor and outdoor, photovoltaic power is stored in deep cycle batteries.

Most photovoltaic systems are designed to supply electricity when required, and have batteries to store electricity generated by the solar panels. To control their charge and limit their discharge, these batteries require electronic devices. As photovoltaics and batteries are DC devices, photovoltaic systems usually include DC/AC inverters. You receive AC power supply in standard voltages and frequencies for use at home.

After the initial cost of the equipment to generate electricity from solar power, you get to use free electricity to light up your home.

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