Alternative power supplies are increasingly becoming part of our daily lives. Companies and enterprises are interested in their use. The policy of many states is aimed at replacing traditional sources of electricity with certain shortcomings and alternative ones. Such devices are distinguished by good performance and their use is advisable in the modern world. A good example is solar panels, on the basis of which entire solar power plants are being built. Such devices are widely used in electronics, as an autonomous power source for many household appliances.
The sun is a gigantic source of energy that can very well be adapted to our needs. As a result of nuclear fusion, such a quantity of thermal, electromagnetic and other types of energy is generated in a star within one second that it would be possible to provide all of humanity half a million years in advance. Modern solar panels are currently converting a negligible fraction of this radiation.
Without going into technical details of the operation of such devices, we can briefly consider the principle of operation on which solar panels operate. It is quite simple: they convert the radiation energy into electrical energy, which is transmitted to working devices or accumulated in rechargeable batteries.
Modern solar panels vary in power, design features and scope. A good example of their use can serve as an ordinary lamp designed for street lighting. There is no need to lay a
power cable to it; it does not
consume electricity. With its help, it is quite possible to solve the problem of lighting in the dark.
In addition, autonomous power sources are quite mobile and are widely used away from cities, for example, in hiking trips or research expeditions. Solar panels for a laptop will provide a full charge of the device’s battery. Their use is advisable away from the main power sources. The size of the battery is optimized for the average user and its transportation will not cause problems. They are distinguished by power, they can easily be used as a constant power source during daylight hours, for example, for a radio receiver.
Currently, work is underway to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Recall that the theoretical limit on efficiency for such devices does not exceed 43 percent. The rest of the energy is spent on useless heating of the panels, which affects not only their technical characteristics. Excessive heating of the device reduces its service life and can damage the battery. With an increase in efficiency, additional opportunities are opened for reducing the used area and, accordingly, this will affect the overall dimensions.
The appearance on the market of devices that provide household appliances with alternative energy sources dramatically changes the very idea of their application. Independence from the mains provides additional opportunities for the average consumer.