Non Conventional (Alternative) Energy Source

1) Solar Energy ?

Solar Energy is the energy obtained from the sun. The sun gives out vast amount of light and heat. It is only a little less than half (47%) of solar energy which falls on the atmospere reaches the earth's surface. if we could use just small part of this energy it would fulfill all the country's need for power.

2) What are Solar Energy Devices ?

The Energy from the sun can be harnessed to provided power. The various devices used for harnessing sun's energy are called solar energy devices.

Solar Cells :

• Solar Cells (Photovoltaic devies) is made up of Silicon that converts sunlight directely into electricity.
• Solar cell produces electricity without polluting the environment. Since it uses no fuel other than sunlight.
• No harmful gases
• No burning and no wastes are produced
• Only drawback of solar cells is the Installation charges are high

Uses of Solar Cells

• It can be used for street lighting, traffic signals, water pumping, battery charging system etc.
• It is used in artificial satellites and Space Probes
• It provides radio and TV transmission to Remote Areas
• It is used in calculators, electronic toys and watches

3) Solar Panel?

Arrangement of many solar cells side by side and connected to each other (either parallel or series) is called solar panel. The capacity to provide electric curent is much incresed in the solar pannel. The only disavantage of solar panel is the initial investment and manufacture is very expensive.

• Advantages of Solar Energy :
• It is available in abundance in our country and is free of cost
• It is a renewable source of energy
• It does not cuase Pollution
• It can be used to produced electricity or heat

4) What is a solar cooker?

Solar cooker : It consist of an insulated metal box or wooden box which is black painted from inside so as to absorb maximum solar radiation. A thick glass sheet forms the cover over the box.

The reflector is the plane mirror which is attached to the box.

The food placed inside the box is cooked by energy radiated by the sun.

• What is Solar power plant
• In a Solar power plant many solar panels are used to concentrate sun rays to heat up water into steam.
• The steam is used to run the trubines to produce electricity
• The capacity to 100 litres heater can save upto 1500 units of electricity per year

5) What is Biogas?

• Biogas is mixture of methane (nearly 75%), Hydrogen Suplhide, Carbon Dioxide and hydrogen.
• It is produced by the decomposition of animal wastes (cow dung) and plant wastes in the absence of oxygen (covered by a closed area)
• It is also called as Gobar gas since the starting material used is cow dung which means Gobar in Hindi

6)Uses and Advantages of Biogas

Uses of Biogas

• It is used as fuel for cooking
• It is used to run motors and pump sets
• It is used to generate electricity

Advantages of Biogas

• It burns without smoke and therefore causes less pollution
• An Excellent way to get rid of organic wastes like bio-waste and sewage materials
• left over slurry is a good manure rich in nigtrogen and phosphorus
• It is very safe and and convenient to use
• It can reduce the amount of green house gases emitted