Solar Energy Facts For Kids

Solar energy is a form of energy that is harnessed from the sun. Solar energy, just like many other sources of power, can be used to run machines and industries.

Solar energy happens to be a source of heat and light energy for homes. It can be used for many purposes in the house, including: cooking food, powering vehicles, running machines, heating and cooling the inside of the house and as a way of lighting the home, as well.

Solar energy is environmentally friendly as it does produce carbon gases or any green house emissions. Energy from the sun is trapped through use of solar panels and other sun capturing devices. The greatest advantage of solar energy is that the sun is a never ending source of natural power.

Solar energy is taken directly from the sun and converted into electrical and thermal energy for easier use. Solar energy has many other uses, including creating a germinating atmosphere for growing plants. It is also a source of energy for animals and humans. It brings all living creatures essential Vitamin D.

Every evening the sun sets in the west. During the night, there is no solar source for energy. This is the reason that solar cells which collect energy from the sun's rays in the daytime are hooked to batteries and generators where the solar energy is stored. This stored energy allows users to have access to electricity during the night. The energy which is used up throughout the night will be replaced by new energy that is connected during the following day.

For a solar system to work there has to be solar cells that store solar energy. The solar cells are small and are part of the solar system panels. They receive the solar energy from the sunlight and convert it into electric power in the solar system. The solar energy that has been converted is then stored in batteries. That energy is then transferred to electrical lines throughout the home.

Solar panels can be placed in different locations and can be used to generate power for homes, businesses and for channeling power into larger electrical grids, as well. They can be placed on rooftops of the house or office building or even outside.

Solar panels can even be placed on top of street lights, phone booths and on objects like calculators. Solar panels can be used to power all of these objects. They can even be used to power mobile phones. Solar cells are easily spotted, as they are black and have small lines on them.

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