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Solar Energy is energy the sun transmits to the earth,

which is a mixture of light and heat. The light is necessary

for plants to grow and heat is important to keep us warm.

This light and heat transmitted from the sun can't be used

to directly power cars or television. Solar energy must be

converted into other forms of energy, like electricity, to run

our electronics.

That is what Solar Panels do. They convert the sun's light

and heat into electricity.

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Solar energy is obtained from sunlight.

Solar energy has been used by humans for a long time for uses such as heating, cooking food, removing salt from seawater and drying clothes.

These days it is also used to create electricity. As technology has improved, solar power costs have decreased and it has become a more viable alternative, competing with energy sources such as coal and oil.

While solar power is becoming more efficient, it only provides a small fraction of the world’s energy supply.

Solar cells convert light energy into electricity.

Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells.

Solar cells can be used to power portable devices such as calculators.

Large numbers of solar cells are put together to create solar panels.

The largest solar power plant in the world is found in the Mojave Desert, USA.

Spacecraft and space stations such as the International Space Station (ISS) often use solar panels to generate power.

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Safety Smart® Science with Bill Nye the Science Guy®: Renewable Energy -- PREVIEW

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The sun shines on the solar panels, generating “DC” (Direct Current) electricity.

The electricity is fed into a solar inverter that converts into “AC” (Alternating Current) electricity.

The AC electricity is used to power appliances in your home.

Any power not required by your home goes via your home’s switchboard into the mains power grid for others to use.