PTUK Course (1): Solar Energy Systems (renewable energy)

The sun is the only star of our solar system located at its center.

The earth and other planets orbit the sun.

Energy from the sun in the form of solar radiation supports almost all life on earth via photosynthesis and drives the earth’s climate and weather.

The sun generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei to helium.

Sunlight is the main source of energy to the surface of the earth that can be harnessed via a variety of natural and synthetic processes.

Plants capture the energy of solar radiation and convert it to chemical form.

Nearly all life on earth depends on photosynthesis.

The photosynthesis equation is as follows:

6CO2 + 6H20 + (energy) → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carbon dioxide + water + energy from light produces glucose and oxygen.

Basically all the forms of energy in the world as we know it are solar in origin.

Oil, coal, natural gas, and wood were originally produced by photosynthetic processes.

Even the energy of the wind and tide has a solar origin, since they are caused by differences in temperature in various regions of the earth.

The greatest advantage of solar energy compared with other forms of energy is that it is clean and can be supplied without environmental pollution.

Over the past century, fossil fuels provided most of our energy, because these were much cheaper and more convenient than energy from alternative energy sources, and until recently, environmental pollution has been of little concern