Solar energy
Turning sun rays into electricity
Energy from the sun is called solar energy.
The sun is a source of energy that we can use forever.
Sunlight can be used to make electricity using photovoltaic cells. When the sun shines on these cells they make electricity.
Solar energy can be used in other ways to heat water, warm houses, dry clothes or dry foods such as grapes (turning them into sultanas).
Photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) have been around for many years. Many small calculators are powered by small solar cells – so they don’t need batteries or to be plugged in.
Solar energy at home
It is now easy and simple to use solar energy at home. This involves putting solar panels (a set of solar cells in a frame covered by glass) on your roof.
The solar energy works in with your normal electricity supply so you will always have the power you need.
When the sun shines on the panels, power flows through your house just like mains electricity.
Energy that you don’t use is fed into the electricity supply for others to use – in fact, the electricity company buys your surplus power.
If there is not enough sunshine or your power need is greater than the solar panels can make, the extra power you need will come from the electricity supply.
If you have enough solar panels, when the sun shines your home will be like a mini power station, pumping the power you don’t use into the electricity distribution grid.
See more information on solar energy here.
Energy buzz word
If enough houses have solar panels generating surplus power, the energy put into the power grid could be equal to a large power station. Some people think this a better way to make electricity, rather than building new power plants. This is called distributed generation.
Solar pros and cons
Australia is indeed a sunburnt country and that means we can collect a lot of solar energy. Sunshine is free, but the solar panels need to be purchased.
| For | Against | |
| Clean (no greenhouse gas emissions after set-up) | Cost of buying and installing solar panels | |
| Renewable | ||
| Easy to install and use | ||
| Lower household power bills | ||
| Solar will become more attractive as the cost of installation gets cheaper |
Weblink/ Fact box
Solar energy stations are big news.A very big solar energy plant is being built in North West Victoria. When working, the plant will produce enough energy to power the annual needs of 45,000 homes.
The solar power station uses solar cells that were first designed for satellites. It will be one of the world's largest and most efficient solar photovoltaic power stations.
The power will be available to consumers through the national electricity grid which includes Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
US heliostat field - The mirrors in the field reflect the sun back to a tower, which converts the solar rays into electricity. The energy captured by the tower is 500 times more than what falls on a normal solar panel. Note the difference in size between the person and the mirrors.
Solar energy investigations
- Investigation 1 (Basic level): Sunshine map
- Investigation 2 (Advanced level): Overnewton Anglican Community College solar data
Discover other renewable sources: Wind energy, Hydro, Biomass