1. SOLAR ENERGY

2. THE SOLAR ENERGY IS A RENEWABLE ENERGY OBTAINED FROM THE SUNLIGHT ANDPRODUCED THROUGH SOLAR PANELS. 3. THERMAL ENERGY: IT CONVERTS SOLARENERGY INTO HEAT BY MEANS OF SOLARPANELS AND COLLECTORS.PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY: THE SUN LIGHT IT CHANGES INTO ELECTRICITY THROUGH PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES. 4. THERMAL ENERGYThermal energy is oftenaccumulated from activesolar collector or moreoften combined heat andpower plants, andtransferred to insulatedrepositories for use later invarious applications, suchas space heating, domesticor process water heating. 5. PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGYSolar photovoltaic power involves usingcrystalline panels to convert energy fromthe sun into electricity for use in yourhome or business.The basic unit is a solar cell made up ofthin layers of silicon.When photons falling from the suninteract with the silicon, electrical chargesare generated as direct current.The panel photovoltaic modular is madeup of multiple photovoltaic cells and isthe principal building block of thephotovoltaic system.The photovoltaics modules produce directcurrent that is transformed to alternatingcurrent by an inverter.The inverter sends the AC to your homeselectrical panel, which supplies electricitydirectly to your appliances, lights andother electrical devices. If more electricityis being produced than consumed, thenthe excess is rerouted from your utilitymeter into the utility grid where you arecredited for later use, a process known asnet metering. 6. PASSIVE SOLAR DESINGPassive solar design refers to the use of the sunsenergy for the heating and cooling of livingspaces. The building itself or some element ofit takes advantage of natural energycharacteristics in materials and air created byexposure to the sun. Passive systems aresimple, have few moving parts, and requireminimal maintenance and require nomechanical systems. 7. DIRECT GAINSun can enter through southwindows or skylights; openplan can allow sun and storedheat to serve entire top floorof building. Large areas ofthermal mass surface shouldbe darker colored and free ofrugs, wallhangings, etc. Light-coloredsurfaces near glass reduceglare. Outdoor view andaccess to south areencouraged. 8. INDIRECT SOLAR GAINThe suns heat is collected and trappedin a narrow space between the windowand the thick masonry wall (thermalmass or Trombe Wall) after it passesthrough the windows. This heats theair, which rises and spills into the roomthrough vents at the top of the wall.Cooled air then moves to take its placefrom vents at bottom of the wall. Theheated air circulates throughout theroom by convection. The thermal masscontinues to absorb and store heat toradiate back into the room after the sunhas gone. Dampers can be placed in thevents to prevent warm air fromescaping through them at night.During the summer months, the processis reversed. The thermal mass isprevented from receiving direct sunlightwhile absorbing the heat in theroom, helping to keep the temperaturecooler.