When we look at the scorching sun and hide in the air-conditioned room, have you ever thought that this "scorching sun" can also send thousands of households the "electricity" needed to create a cool world. Let's meet the internationally recognized as one of the most competitive energy sources in the future - solar energy.

Where does the enormous energy of solar radiation come from?

Solar energy refers to the photothermal, photoelectric and photochemical direct conversion of solar radiant energy.

The center of the sun has a high temperature and extremely high pressure of up to 15000000K. About 80% of the sun's mass is composed of hydrogen, and proton chain nuclear reactions will occur inside the high-temperature and high-pressure sun, releasing huge nuclear energy. And these nuclear energy radiate out in the form of electromagnetic waves (visible light that makes our world colorful is a kind of electromagnetic wave) and reach the earth. The radiation of the sun is very complex and consists of many wave bands, including ultraviolet, long-wave radiation, infrared and visible light and so on. Each band has its own characteristics, and they add up to form the total solar energy.

It can be seen that solar energy is the radiant energy released by the high-temperature nuclear fusion reaction inside the sun. To some extent, solar energy can be said to be inexhaustible, and the annual solar radiant energy reaching the earth's surface is about 130 trillion tons of standard coal, which is equivalent to the sum of all kinds of energy consumed by the whole world every year. 10,000 times.

How is solar energy converted into directly usable energy?

At present, we use solar energy generally through the following two technologies:

The first technology is to convert solar energy into electrical energy, called solar photovoltaic power generation (photovoltaic effect principle). In the laboratory, the efficiency of solar photovoltaic power generation has reached more than 45%. It can be said that with this technology, where there is the sun, there is power.

For example, we often see many solar panels on roofs and street lights. Another example is to install solar photovoltaic panels on the parking shed to provide power for electric vehicles.

Another utilization technology is to convert solar energy into heat energy. Solar energy directly produces high-temperature steam, which is then converted to other uses, which has many applications in industry. Such as putting solar vacuum tubes on the roof to generate hot water for bathing; concentrated solar energy and linear solar collectors allow us to achieve outdoor barbecues without smoke. In short, there is only what you can't think of, and there is nothing you can't do.

Driven by a series of policies and regulations promulgated by the Chinese government, the domestic photovoltaic industry has developed rapidly. China has the natural advantage of developing the solar energy utilization industry. Its industrial development has reached a considerable scale, and it is now striding forward from a large solar energy production country to a creative power.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy compared with other energy sources

As a natural energy source, solar energy is internationally recognized as one of the most competitive energy sources in the future, with many advantages:

A long time - According to the results of astronomical research, the solar system has existed for about 5 billion years. According to the current total power of solar radiation and the total content of hydrogen on the sun, it is estimated that solar energy resources can continue to last for 60 billion years.

Clean and safe - solar energy is not only pollution-free, but also far cleaner than conventional energy, and it is also safe, much safer than nuclear energy.

Illuminates the Earth—radiant energy that we neither need to mine, dig, nor transport. All over the world, mountains, islands, continents, and oceans are treated equally. There are no patents at all, and it is impossible to monopolize. Development and utilization are extremely convenient.

The amount is huge—the annual solar radiant energy reaching the earth's surface is about 3630 trillion tons of standard coal, and the solar radiant energy received by the land surface also reaches 762 trillion tons of standard coal.

Therefore, more fully exploiting and utilizing solar energy can enable us to better maintain the natural balance, and fully embody the concept of sustainable development and human return to nature.