There are a number of ways that solar power is used. For example, solar photovoltaic cells are used to produce electrical energy. Inverters are also used to convert solar power into other forms of electricity. Other methods of solar power use are concentrating solar-thermal energy and mining of the cryptocurrency bitcoin.

Photovoltaic cells

Photovoltaic cells are one of the core components of a solar power generation system. They absorb light, convert it into energy, and store the energy in electrochemical storage batteries. The resulting electricity can be used to power consumer products and electric power grids.

Solar cells can be produced in a variety of ways. Depending on the materials, their efficiencies can range from 15% to more than 33%.

The basic design of a PV cell is a square centimeter of silicon layered with a positively charged layer (P) and negatively charged layer (N). These two layers are connected by metal strips, forming a series or parallel circuit.

A photon striking a photovoltaic cell will be absorbed by the P and N layers. The resulting energy is transferred to the electrons in the semiconductor material. Some of this energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of particles.

These free electrons migrate to the front surface of the cell. This makes the front surface more receptive to the electric field. However, it is the interaction between the electric field and the crystalline structure of the material that is crucial to a PV cell’s performance.

Concentrating solar-thermal power

The technology of concentrating solar-thermal power (CST) is based on capturing sunlight and converting it to heat and electricity. It uses mirrors to focus the sun’s energy onto receivers that absorb the heat. This method produces high-temperature heat that can be used for a wide range of applications, from chemical processing to oil recovery.

CSP technology has been around for almost a century, but the first commercial facilities didn’t come online until the mid-1980s. Today, the technology has grown to 1.3 GW of installed capacity worldwide. Solar thermal power plants can provide electricity on demand, as well as replace old conventional power plants.

The costs of concentrating solar-thermal power are still relatively high, but they are coming down. With sufficient storage, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) can be reduced by as much as 20%. As the world’s population continues to grow, solar energy technologies can help meet increasing electricity demand.

The DOE and CSIRO released a road map of concentrating solar-thermal technology, aimed at increasing the commercial viability of heliostats. Several new large-scale plants are in development, including in Southern California and in Spain.

Inverters

Inverters are devices that convert solar power into alternating current (AC). There are many different types of inverters, so it’s important to understand what they do and how they work. You should also consider how your inverter will affect your electricity usage.

There are two main types of inverters. The first are “string inverters” and the second are micro-inverters. Unlike string inverters, micro-inverters are installed on individual solar panels, and most are made by manufacturers that are installed in the field.

Inverters use transistors to control the flow of electricity. These transistors are solid state devices that are designed to convert DC to AC. When inverters are working efficiently, the current flow will be synchronized with the voltage, so that electrical power is maximized.

Another important aspect of inverters is the efficiency of the output. Efficiency is measured in terms of weighted efficiency, which factors in the level of DC input. A good inverter will be able to convert at least three to five times the rated wattage of the device.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining uses a large amount of energy. Using renewable energy can cut costs, increase profits, and reduce emissions. By installing solar panels, a crypto miner can save 100 percent of the electricity they consume.

In addition to lowering the carbon footprint of crypto mining, solar can also boost mining profit margins. The cost of panels dropped significantly last year. It’s important to know what a crypto miner needs to set up a solar farm.

A crypto miner requires six to 12 square meters of solar panels. He or she will need a power storage system, too. To be viable, a solar farm needs a 500 to 600Ah battery bank. This bank will hold enough watts to support a crypto mining rig.

While the installation process is simple, the long-term viability of a crypto mining setup is uncertain. The best setup depends on how much it costs to buy the equipment and how high the hash rate is.