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As a renewable energy source, the sun’s infinite supply of rays is second to none. Solar cells are designed to capture solar energy and transform it into other forms of power such as electricity. Like so many other forms of alternative energy, Canada is taking strides to claim a perch near the top in the solar cell industry.
Solar cells operate via the photovoltaic effect. Voltage is created when electrons are transferred from one material to another. When this transfer occurs, voltage is built up between two electrodes. As photons in sunlight strike solar cells, materials such as silicon absorb them and electrons are freed from the material. This flow of electrons creates electricity. These cells perform this task specifically using the sun’s radiation. They are grouped together to form the familiar solar panels seen on rooftops and solar farms worldwide.
Due to its abundance of high pressure systems, Canada possesses a good number of sunny days by which to produce electricity via solar cells. Research and development in the country is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Additionally, a number of national photovoltaic energy companies have invested in the development of these types of power systems in order to position themselves as a viable force worldwide using this renewable energy. This has been done in conjunction with climate change programs set up by the federal government.
Universities have especially taken the lead in forging the development of solar cells in Canada. The University of Alberta has teamed with the National Research Council’s Institute for Nanotechnology to focus on the improvement of plastic cells efficiency. Known for its open prairie, Alberta is already noted for its wind power capabilities and is now ready to obtain power from the open sky as well. Silicon, which is the most common element in solar cell, is in short supply and as result is rather expensive. Scientists in Alberta have aimed their attention toward optimizing the output of plastic cells to ease cost and increase production. Layers of materials make up the construction of a plastic cell in a fashion similar to a sandwich. Scientists at The University of Alberta have already noticed as much as a 30% increase in efficiency over conventional silicon cells in only one layer of the “sandwich”.
As Canada continues to make strides in the renewable energy industry of solar cells, the country will continue to seek cheaper and more efficient methods of turning the sun’s rays into usable power.
New-Energy-Portal is a Renewable Energy Business Directory where you can find great solar heating consultants and solar cooling system providers [http://www.new-energy-portal.com/nocache/en/company-directory/for-companies/worldwide/solar/]. Make the most of all these resources for day to day activities.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Eckard
Advances In Solar Lighting Technology
When some consumers hear the words “solar light fixture” they may automatically assume that this will be a relatively low-light emitting item not meant to do more than cast rays in a feeble radius. That is not an accurate perception of such handy and earth-friendly fixtures any longer.
Thanks to advances in solar cell technology, LED lighting and rechargeable batteries, today’s solar lighting fixtures are almost comparable to the quality and illumination of traditional, “hard wired”, settings. In fact, many people prefer the luminosity of LED bulbs more than the glaring light of traditional bulbs, and no one can deny the importance of installing lights that require no electrical source in order to operate.
Aren’t solar lights just those small path lights or single lights that people install in areas without electricity? Actually, today home and business owners can find powerful spot and flood lights that operate strictly on solar energy. These lighting fixtures can be quickly installed and used to illuminate flag poles, signage, store fronts or even create an effective form of security around a property. The great thing about these fixtures is that they do not require any professional services to install. An owner simply drives the fixture’s stake into the soil or attaches it with the included hardware and places the solar panel in an area that delivers adequate sunlight, and that is it!
Of course some of these lights are triggered by motion and will serve in the exact same capacity as their electricity-consuming cousins. What all of these features really add up to is a lot of savings in time and money. The owner does the installation themselves in a matter of minutes and it will cost only pennies over the course of many years to maintain the lights.
There are also many fixtures that are perfect for yards and gardens, and these too are outfitted with the latest technologies, including dusk to dawn sensors, adjustable lamps, motion detectors and materials suitable for year-round installation. For example, there are lamp posts, pathway lights and porch and patio fixtures that deliver illumination equal to hard wired fixtures, but which never demand the type of professional installation or maintenance that they do.
Finally, it is important to point out one advantage that most solar lighting fixtur
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es have over traditional lights and that is that they are usually self-contained. Unlike traditional fixtures that can have cords deteriorate or which might fall victim to animals and vermin, solar lights have few vulnerabilities and are less likely to succumb to many environmental factors.
By: The Solar Guy
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Jonathan Gal is a solar lighting expert and owner of YCA Solar Lights, an organization dedicated to promoting clean, energy efficient outdoor solar lights usage. To find out more about how solar technology is changing the way we live, especially with respect to lighting, you are invited to visit Jonathan’s Solar Lighting site: www.ycasolarlightstore.com
Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up – I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…
Stanford’s New Solar Cells Are The First to Produce Electricity …
Dont get me wrong, I do like to hear about the progress of solar cell technology and this is good to hear but I do not like how the constraints are not mentioned in this article. Are the materials cheap? What are some operational costs? …
Release of New Solar Cell Module for Residential use by HONDA …
Release of New Solar Cell Module for Residential use by HONDA SOLTEC. August 12, 2010 · Filed Under Green Tech · Honda's wholly owned solar cell subsidiary, Honda Soltec Co, Ltd. has released a new solar cell modules targeted at …
New tech turns ordinary windows into solar cells | Newsdesk.org
New tech turns ordinary windows into solar cells. Leave a Comment 12 August 2010. A new thin-film technology has been developed that can turn an ordinary window into a power-generating solar cell. Inside of film-deposition chamber (from …
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