Solar power - Revision history

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2021-09-27T00:02:43Z

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energy>Jonathan at 00:56, 25 August 2021

2021-08-25T00:56:05Z

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	[[category: Data Visualization]]		[[category: Data Visualization]]
	[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
			[[Category:Translated to French]]
			[[Category:Translated to Spanish]]
			[[es:Energía solar]]
			[[fr:Énergie solaire]]
	[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[primary energy flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]		[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[primary energy flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.		<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2020-04-28T15:32:38Z

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energy>Jmdonev at 22:06, 10 April 2020

2020-04-10T22:06:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:06, 10 April 2020
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	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category: Data Visualization]]		[[category: Data Visualization]]
	[[Category:Done ~~2018~~-06-15]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]		[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[primary energy flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.		<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.

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	<html><iframe height='525px' width='785px' style='border:1px solid #cccccc' src='https://www.energyeducation.ca/simulations/dsplfinal.html?solar_consumption'></iframe></html>		<html><iframe height='525px' width='785px' style='border:1px solid #cccccc' src='https://www.energyeducation.ca/simulations/dsplfinal.html?solar_consumption'></iframe></html>

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Sun]]
			*[[Nuclear power]]
			*[[Primary energy flow]]
			*[[Wind turbine]]
			*[[Primary energy]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-06-25T14:30:33Z

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Jmdonev at 21:51, 21 June 2018

2018-06-21T21:51:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 21 June 2018
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	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category: Data Visualization]]		[[category: Data Visualization]]
	[[Category:Done 2018-04-30]]		[[Category:Done 2018-06-15]]
	[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]		[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.		<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.
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	The line graph below shows rapid growth in consumption of solar energy in different regions worldwide. Another useful view is to select "bar" and "country", to see the major solar power users worldwide. Once here, clicking the "per capita" button will show the solar power per person.		The line graph below shows rapid growth in consumption of solar energy in different regions worldwide. Another useful view is to select "bar" and "country", to see the major solar power users worldwide. Once here, clicking the "per capita" button will show the solar power per person.

	<html><iframe height='525px' width='785px' style='border:1px solid #cccccc' src='~~http~~://www.energyeducation.ca/simulations/dsplfinal.html?solar_consumption'></iframe></html>		<html><iframe height='525px' width='785px' style='border:1px solid #cccccc' src='https://www.energyeducation.ca/simulations/dsplfinal.html?solar_consumption'></iframe></html>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-05-11T18:17:05Z

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Jmdonev at 18:20, 9 May 2018

2018-05-09T18:20:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 9 May 2018
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	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category: Data Visualization]]		[[category: Data Visualization]]
	[[Category:Done ~~2017~~-07-01]]		[[Category:Done 2018-04-30]]
	[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]		[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]]~~.Currently, solar [[power]] supplies about 1% of electricity used every year in the world~~.</onlyinclude>~~<ref name="RE1">IEA. (August 19, 2015). ''World Energy Balances'' [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1787/data-00512-en </ref> However~~, ~~there are~~ some countries ~~that~~ use ~~greater~~ amounts of solar power. ~~Italy~~, Germany~~, and Belgium are three countries~~ which ~~obtain the greatest~~ percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the ~~data visualization~~ below for more statistics on solar power in the world.		<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].</onlyinclude> Although solar power makes up a small percentage of global energy production, some countries use significant amounts of solar power. China and the United States lead the world in total solar energy capacity, whereas Germany is a country which obtains a large percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.

	The ability to harness [[sunlight]] and use that [[energy]] to [[electricity generation\|generate electricity]] is achieved ~~by the use of~~ a variety of ~~[[solar collector]]s~~. ~~Primarily,~~ the use of [[photovoltaic cell]]s are necessary. These photovoltaic cells make use of a [[semiconductor\|semiconducting]] material that, when struck by sunlight, generates a small [[current]] as a result of the [[photovoltaic effect]]. Unlike some [[power plant]]s ~~that require [[steam]]~~, solar ~~power using photovoltaic cells is created directly by transforming~~ energy ~~from the Sun into electricity. However, this is not the case with solar~~ [[~~thermal power]]. In this case,~~ solar ~~collectors are used to focus the Suns energy on some [[heat transfer]] [[fluid]], which is then used to [[heat]]~~ water ~~to steam and turn a [[turbine~~]]. ~~This generates electricity.~~ Figures 2 and 3 below show a solar power plant and a [[solar thermal power plant]].		The ability to harness [[sunlight]] and use that [[energy]] to [[electricity generation\|generate electricity]] is achieved through a variety of methods. This article focuses on the use of [[photovoltaic cell]]s and [[solar thermal power plant]]s, however solar energy can also be harnessed for domestic [[solar water heating\|water heating]].

			Figures 2 and 3 below show a solar photovoltaic power plant and a [[solar thermal power plant]].

	<gallery mode=packed caption="Solar Power Plants" widths="350px" heights="232px" >		<gallery mode=packed caption="Solar Power Plants" widths="350px" heights="232px" >
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	File:PS20andPS10.jpg\|Figure 3. Two solar power towers at a solar thermal power plant.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 19, 2015). ''PS20 and PS10'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/PS20andPS10.jpg</ref>		File:PS20andPS10.jpg\|Figure 3. Two solar power towers at a solar thermal power plant.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 19, 2015). ''PS20 and PS10'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/PS20andPS10.jpg</ref>
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	There are numerous solar farms worldwide, and the size and capabilities of these farms has increased dramatically over the years. The largest of these solar farms is the Olmedilla Photovoltaic Park in Spain. This farm uses 162 000 flat [[solar panel]]s and can provide 60 [[watt\|megawatts]] of electricity on a sunny day. However, this plant was very expensive to create as the panels were built with [[silicon]]. The cost of the project was estimated at $530 million.<ref>Solar Insure. (August 19, 2015). ''Top 5 Largest Solar Plants'' [Online]. Available: http://www.solarinsure.com/largest-solar-power-plants</ref>

	==Collection Methods==		==Collection Methods==
	In order to use the energy from the Sun to generate electricity, there needs to be some method of ~~"catching" this~~ [[solar radiation]]. Since there is no [[fuel]] to burn to generate electricity like there is in [[fossil fuel]] power plants or [[nuclear power plant]]s, different methods are used to capture or concentrate sunlight. There are two main methods: photovoltaic cells and solar collectors. While solar collectors are less ~~expensive as they are composed of only mirrors~~, photovoltaic cells can be more useful as they directly transform solar [[radiation]] into electricity.		In order to use the energy from the Sun to generate electricity, there needs to be some method of harnessing the [[solar radiation]]. Since there is no [[fuel]] to burn to generate electricity like there is in [[fossil fuel]] power plants or [[nuclear power plant]]s, different methods are used to capture or concentrate sunlight. There are two main methods: photovoltaic cells and solar thermal collectors. While solar thermal collectors are typically less complex, photovoltaic cells can be more useful as they directly transform solar [[radiation]] into electricity. See the [[#Interactive Graph\|interactive graph]] below for more statistics on solar power in the world.

	===Photovoltaic Cells===		===Photovoltaic Cells===
	:: [[photovoltaic cell\|''main article'']]		:: [[photovoltaic cell\|''main article'']]
	[[File:pvcell.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 4. A solar panel, consisting of many photovoltaic cells.<ref>"20110504-RD-LSC-0621 - Flickr - USDAgov" by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20110504-RD-LSC-0621_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov.jpg#/media/File:20110504-RD-LSC-0621_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:pvcell.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 4. A solar panel, consisting of many photovoltaic cells.<ref>"20110504-RD-LSC-0621 - Flickr - USDAgov" by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20110504-RD-LSC-0621_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov.jpg#/media/File:20110504-RD-LSC-0621_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov.jpg</ref>]]
	A photovoltaic cell is an energy harvesting [[technology]] used to directly convert solar energy into electricity. The vast majority are composed of silicon semiconductors, and interact with incoming [[photon]]s in order to generate an electric current.<ref>R. Wolfson. ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012</ref>

	These cells can be placed in a solar panel and [[solar collector orientation\|oriented]] to face the Sun. For residential use, ~~generally only a few~~ panels on the roof ~~are needed~~ to generate ~~enough~~ electricity for the home. For ~~large~~ scale electricity generation on solar farms, large numbers of these panels are arranged in an array (shown in Figure 2) to collect ~~enough sunlight to generate a~~ significant ~~amount~~ of electricity.		Photovoltaic cells make use of a [[semiconductor\|semiconducting]] material that, when struck by sunlight, generates a small [[current]] as a result of the [[photovoltaic effect]]. Unlike some [[power plant]]s that require [[steam]], solar power using photovoltaic cells is created directly by transforming energy from the Sun into electricity. The vast majority of photovoltaic cells are composed of silicon semiconductors, and interact with incoming [[photon]]s in order to generate an electric current.<ref>R. Wolfson. ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012</ref>

			These cells can be placed in a solar panel and [[solar collector orientation\|oriented]] to face the Sun. For [[Residential energy use\|residential]] use, panels can be placed on the roof to generate electricity for the home. For utility scale electricity generation on solar farms, large numbers of these panels are arranged in an array (shown in Figure 2) to collect significant amounts of electricity.

	For more information on the different types of photovoltaic cells, click [[types of PV cells\|here]].		For more information on the different types of photovoltaic cells, click [[types of PV cells\|here]].

	===Solar ~~Collectors~~===		===Solar Thermal Power Plant===
	:: [[solar ~~collector~~\|''main article'']]		:: [[solar thermal power plant\|''main article'']]
	[[File:SolarStirlingEngine.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 5. A parabolic solar collector.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 10, 2015). ''Solar Stirling Engine'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/SolarStirlingEngine.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:SolarStirlingEngine.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 5. A parabolic solar collector.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 10, 2015). ''Solar Stirling Engine'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/SolarStirlingEngine.jpg</ref>]]
	Solar collectors are a series of devices that transform solar radiation into heat, which is then transferred into a heat transfer fluid. These devices are used primarily for [[solar water heating\|active solar heating]] and allow for the heating of [[water]] for [[domestic water heating\|personal use]].<ref name=boyle>G. Boyle. ''Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future'', 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2004.</ref> These collectors are generally mounted on the roof and must be very sturdy as they are exposed to a variety of different [[weather]] conditions.<ref name=boyle/>

	~~There~~ are ~~several different types of collectors, but most collect and concentrate~~ energy from the Sun ~~using~~ a ~~dark coloured absorbing coating or mirrors~~. ~~They~~ then ~~transfer this energy~~ to ~~some fluid which eventually heats~~ water ~~to produce steam~~, which is used to turn ~~turbines~~ and ~~create~~ electricity.		While photovolatic cells convert the Sun's energy directly into electricity, this is not the case with solar [[thermal power]]. Solar thermal power plants are [[electricity generation]] plants that utilize [[energy]] from the [[Sun]] to heat a fluid to a high [[temperature]]. This fluid then transfers its [[heat]] to [[water]], which then becomes superheated [[steam]]. This steam is then used to turn [[turbine]]s in a power plant, and this [[mechanical energy]] is converted into [[electricity]] by a [[generator]].</onlyinclude> This type of generation is essentially the same as electricity generation that uses [[fossil fuel]]s, but instead heats steam using [[sunlight]] instead of [[combustion]] of fossil fuels.<ref name="RE1">EIA. (August 18, 2015). ''Solar Thermal Power Plants'' [Online]. Available: http://www.eia.gov/Energyexplained/?page=solar_thermal_power_plants</ref> These systems use [[solar collector]]s to concentrate the Sun's rays on one point to achieve appropriately high temperatures.

	==Interactive Graph==		==Interactive Graph==

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2017-08-29T01:47:21Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 21:56, 15 August 2017

2017-08-15T21:56:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 15 August 2017
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	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category: Data Visualization]]		[[category: Data Visualization]]
	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-09-06]]		[[Category:Done 2017-07-01]]
	[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is a major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]		[[File:sunlight2.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 1. The Sun is the major source of energy and vital to life on Earth. It also acts as a [[flow]] that can be harnessed by a solar panel.<ref>Pixabay. (August 19, 2015). ''Sunlight'' [Online]. Available: http://pixabay.com/en/sunlight-sky-daylight-summer-422710/</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]]. Currently, solar [[power]] supplies about 1% of electricity used every year in the world.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">IEA. (August 19, 2015). ''World Energy Balances'' [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1787/data-00512-en </ref> However, there are some countries that use greater amounts of solar power. Italy, Germany, and Belgium are three countries which obtain the greatest percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the data visualization below for more statistics on solar power in the world.		<onlyinclude>'''Solar power''' is the [[electricity]] generated using the [[solar radiation]] from the [[Sun]].Currently, solar [[power]] supplies about 1% of electricity used every year in the world.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">IEA. (August 19, 2015). ''World Energy Balances'' [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1787/data-00512-en </ref> However, there are some countries that use greater amounts of solar power. Italy, Germany, and Belgium are three countries which obtain the greatest percentage of their electricity from [[solar energy]].<ref>Zachary Shahan. (August 19, 2015). ''Top Solar Power Countries'' [Online]. Available: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/12/top-solar-power-countries-per-capita-per-gdp-per-twh-of-electricity-produced-in-total/2/</ref> See the data visualization below for more statistics on solar power in the world.

	The ability to harness [[sunlight]] and use that [[energy]] to [[electricity generation\|generate electricity]] is achieved by the use of a variety of [[solar collector]]s. Primarily, the use of [[photovoltaic cell]]s are necessary. These photovoltaic cells make use of a [[semiconductor\|semiconducting]] material that, when struck by sunlight, generates a small [[current]] as a result of the [[photovoltaic effect]]. Unlike some [[power plant]]s that require [[steam]], solar power using photovoltaic cells is created directly by transforming energy from the Sun into electricity. However, this is not the case with solar [[thermal power]]. In this case, solar collectors are used to focus the Suns energy on some [[heat transfer]] [[fluid]], which is then used to [[heat]] water to steam and turn a [[turbine]]. This generates electricity. Figures 2 and 3 below show a solar power plant and a [[solar thermal power plant]].		The ability to harness [[sunlight]] and use that [[energy]] to [[electricity generation\|generate electricity]] is achieved by the use of a variety of [[solar collector]]s. Primarily, the use of [[photovoltaic cell]]s are necessary. These photovoltaic cells make use of a [[semiconductor\|semiconducting]] material that, when struck by sunlight, generates a small [[current]] as a result of the [[photovoltaic effect]]. Unlike some [[power plant]]s that require [[steam]], solar power using photovoltaic cells is created directly by transforming energy from the Sun into electricity. However, this is not the case with solar [[thermal power]]. In this case, solar collectors are used to focus the Suns energy on some [[heat transfer]] [[fluid]], which is then used to [[heat]] water to steam and turn a [[turbine]]. This generates electricity. Figures 2 and 3 below show a solar power plant and a [[solar thermal power plant]].
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]
	~~[[category: Mark edit]]~~