| What, indeed. Many people use the terms solar | | | | and housed in an enclosure to form a photovoltaic |
| energy and solar power interchangeably, but they are | | | | module, 2 or more of which are then connected |
| very different animals, as you're about to find out. | | | | together to form an array to produce sufficient |
| So, then, what is the difference between solar | | | | electricity to provide power for remote or residential |
| energy and solar power? Well, the simplest definition | | | | or commercial purposes. |
| of solar energy is the fact that it's radiant light and | | | | Location, Location, Location |
| heat derived from the sun, which supplies over | | | | For the purposes of this discussion, we'll cover solar |
| 10,000 times the amount of energy used by the | | | | power as it relates to small remote and/or residential |
| entire human population of the world. And that's | | | | applications. We'll then subdivide this discussion over |
| where solar power comes in, because solar power is | | | | several articles, as there are various types of |
| what results from converting solar energy into | | | | systems and setups available depending on whether |
| electricity. | | | | or not the location for which power is being supplied |
| The Photovoltaic Effect | | | | is in a remote area or is connected to the grid (i.e. |
| The most direct method of converting solar energy | | | | gets power from the local utility company, or |
| into electricity is via the use of photovoltaics. And | | | | grid-tied), and only needs some of its power from |
| what exactly are photovoltaics? The "photovoltaic | | | | solar, or is connected to the grid but wants to be |
| effect" was first discovered by a Frenchman named | | | | completely energy independent. |
| Edmund Bequerel in 1839, and he found that when | | | | As you can see, the terms solar energy and solar |
| light struck certain materials, such as silicon, it would | | | | power have quite separate and distinct meanings, |
| produce small amounts of electrical current. | | | | despite being interconnected due to the fact that |
| The word photovoltaic is derived from the words | | | | one feeds off the other. You'll find the term |
| "photon", which is a "unit" of light, and "volt", which is | | | | "photovoltaic" used frequently in discussions of solar |
| the term used to measure the strength of an | | | | power, and, if it's a term that's new to you, hopefully |
| electrical current.The smallest photovoltaic unit is | | | | you're now more comfortable with its meaning and |
| known as a cell, many of which are then combined | | | | origin. |