Solar energy is frequently used in residential homes to heat water. This is an easy application, as the desired end result (hot water) is the storage facility. Solar energy is also relatively weak because it must first pass through the atmosphere, which protects the Earth from the sun’s intensity. As such, the intermittent and variable manner in which solar energy arrives on the Earth’s surface means it creates reliability problems. Solar energy is produced at the core of the sun by nuclear fusion. This energy is then radiated to the convection zone, where mixing transfers the energy to the photosphere.

Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. A photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell or PV, is the technology used to convert solar energy directly into electrical power. Photovoltaic solar energy is produced when the sun’s energy, in the form of photons, strikes a photovoltaic cell and is transmitted to electrons within the semiconductor material in the PV cell, causing an electrical current. Each photovoltaic cell generates only a small amount of energy, so many cells are grouped together into a module; then several modules are combined to form a solar panel. Photovoltaic energy systems cost more…