HOW IS ELECTRICITY GENERATED FROM SOLAR ENERGY?

The sun is the source of all energy either in the form of fossil fuels or wood. After all, these substance have been made from the energy of  the sun and have stored its energy. However, the heat of the sun can be used directly in the form of solar energy. Solar cells and giant solar plants are used for generating electricity. It has been estimated that the solar energy reaching the Earth's surface in one year is double than we will ever receive from all the Earth's resources of coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium together.


HOW CAN WE CAPTURE THE HEAT ENERGY OF THE SUN?

The easiest way to capture the heat energy of the sun is to use it to heat water. In countries with regular supply of abundant sunlight, the roofs of the houses have tanks with water that gets heated by the sunlight. 'Solar houses' can now be seen in various countries across the world. Solar collectors are placed on the roofs of these houses which collect heat from the sunlight. This energy is used to heat water, which in turn produces steam which drives a turbine connected to an electrical generator produce electricity.