How is solar energy produced?

Have you ever wondered how solar energy is produced? The truth is that with the new trends that exist today, harnessing the potential of the sun is the smartest thing we can do to obtain a stable and economical source.

It is becoming more and more essential to have renewable sources of energy and through solar panels we can achieve this. It is not that difficult or expensive and in the long term you will see the fruits of this investment.

Make yourself comfortable and find out more about a model that is here to stay in Spain and the whole world. Shall we start now?

How solar energy works

Would you like to know what solar panels are? Well, it is impossible to understand if we do not first talk about solar energy.

In a few words, it is an energy that is generated by the sun and is transferred by means of different radiations until it reaches the planet. The idea is to use it through different technologies because it is inexhaustible and abundant, being a more than interesting alternative to traditional means.

For this purpose, different photovoltaic installations are used to convert the energy into electricity through powerful cells.

However, before all this happens, the energy that travels to earth goes through a process of fusion fractions that are generated in the sun itself. This is transported by waves and then used for different purposes.

Types of solar energy

The following are the most common types of solar energy in use today:

Photovoltaics

This type of solar energy works through a photovoltaic system, which is a structure that generates electricity through modules that have the capacity to transform solar radiation into electrical current.

Solar photovoltaic energy has received a great boost in recent years thanks to the arrival of solar communities and solar self-consumption installations.

Thermal

On the other hand, we have solar thermal energy. The equipment used is based on solar collectors that transform solar radiation into heat, which collect and store solar radiation to heat water, which will then be used as a backup for domestic or industrial heating systems.

Passive

Passive solar energy benefits from the sun through building solutions without having to convert it into other types of energy. Nowadays, it is an indispensable part of the so-called bioclimatic architecture to heat the spaces most used by people.

Hybrid

Finally, we have hybrid solar energy, which is a mix of all the modalities we have shown you so far in order to achieve the greatest possible effectiveness.

Advantages of solar energy

Solar energy comes with a set of significant advantages that justify its growing popularity. Although it has its challenges, its strengths are undeniable and contribute to its long-term expansion.

Let us explore some of these advantages:

Increasing efficiency: Although the conversion efficiency of solar energy may not be as high as that of other sources, it continues to improve over time. Innovations and new techniques are steadily increasing the percentage of solar energy that can be converted into usable electricity, reaching up to 25% and rising.

Long-term savings: Although the initial investment can be considerable, solar energy translates into significant long-term savings. Once solar panels are installed, operating costs are minimal compared to the savings generated by producing your own energy.

Efficient use of space: Although the installation of solar panels requires space, this “inconvenience” can be turned into an advantage if you consider the possibility of installing panels on roofs and other unused areas. In addition, this space requirement also fosters cooperation and community by encouraging neighbours to come together and collaborate on solar energy projects.

Taking advantage of the Spanish climate: Spain is one of the European countries with the most hours of sunshine, making it an ideal location for solar energy. Although energy production can fluctuate due to weather conditions, the abundance of sunny days ensures a constant and reliable source of energy. In addition, modern energy storage systems can mitigate intermittency and ensure a stable power supply.