How Does Solar Power Work?
It’s Earth Day!, and while everyone is squawking about how you should leave less of a carbon footprint, we got to thinking, “Just how does solar power work? How do any of these sustainable energies work?”
With that curiosity, we set out to relay exactly how solar panels convert energy into electricity:
- Photovoltaic (PV) cells absorb sunlight and convert the heat produced into direct current (DC).
- The DC is then processed through an inverter, which converts DC into alternating current (AC) electricity.
- Then, AC electricity is sent form the inverter to an electrical panel, which distributes power through a breaker box, to your home’s lights and appliances.
- Throughout the day, the energy you use is measured by your utility meter. Your consumption will get recorded as a negative number when your solar panels convert more of sun’s energy than what you’re consuming. At night, you’ll tap into this stored energy to continue powering your lights and appliances.
Looking towards building a “greener” planet, more focus is being placed on developing products powered by renewable energy. We’ve seen the success and appeal of products like electric cars and increasingly – solar energy.
As we shift towards renewable energy sources, careers in these industries continue to grow. You can obtain online career training for industries, such as Solar Power Professional, Wind Energy Professional, and even Senior Certified Sustainability Professional.
Learn more about careers in sustainable energy fields by visiting, http://www.ed2go.com/career/sustainable-energy-green-programs.