Earth and beyond

Earth's energy resources

non-renewable energy sources

renewable energy sources

sources of energy in the world

unusual sources of energy

measuring work and energy

the greenhouse effect

nuclear power

trapping the Sun's energy

using solar cells

Sun and climate

trapping the Sun's energy

Solar energy can provide power for your home, your calculator or even your car without causing any pollution. To trap the Sun's energy directly, we need to use solar panels or solar cells.

Image of a map showing the areas with most intense sunshine each year

Here is a map showing which countries get the most hours of sunshine each day. Can you see why Australia has the potential to make very good use of solar energy? Even though the UK is not a world leader in sunshine, we can still use solar power in addition to other sources of energy.

Solar Panels

A solar panel uses the Sun's energy directly to heat water.

Here are some solar panels on the rooftops in China.

Diagram of a solar water tank

How does it work? Below right is a close up view. The panel on the roof has a zig-zag of water pipes running through it. The top of the panel is transparent to let the Sun's radiation through. The pipes are painted black and lie on a black base. Black surfaces absorb the Sun's radiation much better than white surfaces. The whole panel has an insulating layer on the bottom, between the water pipes and the roof. Cold water flows in, is heated by the Sun's radiation and hot water flows out. Free hot water! You may have experienced the same effect if you leave a garden hosepipe, which still has water in it, out in the Sun. For the first few seconds after turning the water on again, the water can be surprisingly warm.

Diagram of a solar panel

Solar Cells

A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) transfers the energy of sunlight into electrical energy. It uses the photoelectric effect.

Image of Lambeth building with solar panels

Here is a modern building in Lambeth, London. Can you see the solar cells?

***********Press Release**************

News Release - 07 February 2003- Largest Solar Roof in the UK Opens

Thursday the 6th of February was the opening of the Indoor Training Centre at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

The roof is expected to generate approximately 80,000 kW of clean electricity every year which is estimated to provide all of the Centre's electricity needs. The solar roof will also prevent around 35 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year - that's the same amount produced by driving around the world 4 times!



	back to top