THESIS

Solar Cell Are They Practical?

The Earth is bathed ever day with more than 1,360 watts of energy from the Sun
According to Scientific American. Half of this power is absorbed by the Eraths magnetic
field and atmosphere or is reflected back into space. This leaves on average about 655
watts of energy per square meter, striking the planets surface. The energy from the Sun
that half of the Earth is bathed in is around 89 Petawatts of usable energy; the one
Petawatts is equal to 1015 watts.. science.howstuffworks.com
In comparison; in 2006 it was calculated that all the total power used by humans
worldwide was around 16 terawatt (US Energy .com). Our Sun put out so much energy
that in about 14 and half seconds, it offers as much practical energy to the surface of
the Earth then humanity uses in one day. If we could harness one tenth of one percent
of this free solar energy we could have access to 6 times as much energy as we
consume with nearly no greenhouse gas emissions. US Energy .com
Photovoltaic the process of converting Photons to Electrons, it was discovered nearly
two centuries ago by Edmond Becquerel a French physicist in 1839. His discoverer was
that selenium a mineral that is found in the soil reacted to light in a way that he was able
to produces electricity, the worlds first solar cell. Back in 1839s less than 1% of the
applied light energy was converted to electricity. The technology of today has made
significant strides since the 1800s and solar cell today are around 20 to 25 percent
efficient at covering sunlight into electricity. It sound like in 200 plus years we have not
made great strides in capturing energy from our sun, but for a homeowner 20 to 25
percent off of your monthly energy bill is substantial in money saved on energy also

more states are allowing the homeowner or business to sell the solar generated power
back to the power companied. The costs related with solar cell power generation are
still higher than those like coal power. In the direct conversion of light into electricity,
researchers at the Ohio State University have a patent-pending on the worlds first solar
battery it a solar cell and a rechargeable battery all in one. Other researchers are using
Blu-ray discs that could help make the solar cell used in solar panels even more
efficient. Figure 1 shows how a solar cell works but it is more than this simple illustration
shows.

Fig 1
The process of converting photons to electricity is more complicated you need more
than one solar cell Figure 2 shows that solar cell are group to make module these
module are then made into array or panels. A solar photovoltaics system for your home
or business consist of an solar cells panels; charging controller; batters system for dc
power and an inverters for ac power Figure 3. Today technology is improving the
efficient of the solar cell with amazing breakthroughs. It makes all the scents in the

world and a good investment to put a solar photovoltaics system in your home or
business

Figure 2

Figure 3

Works Cited Page

"How does Solar Energy Work." Heritage Enviro Blog. Web. Date Accessed November
06, 2014
"How Blu-ray discs can improve solar panels Foxnew.com/science/2014/11/26. Date
published. Web. November 26, 2014 Date Accessed November 28, 2014
Get solar for your home https: solarmehome.com Date Accessed November 28, 2014
"Solar cell power world first solar battery phy.org/news/2014-10-solar-cell-power-worldbattery.htm#jCp. Date published. Web. October 3, 2014 Date Accessed November 20,
2014
How solar works solar panel efficiency pureenergies.com/us/how-solar-works/solarpanel-efficiency/ Date Accessed November 18, 2014