Power Stations

Solar Power.

Solar power can be used to generate electricity directly from sunlight
(called a Solar Photo Voltaic Power System)
or
to heat air which rises up a tall chimney
(called a Solar Thermal Tower see the next page).

In both systems the original source of the energy is the Sun.

In a solar photo voltaic power system
sunlight falls on to solar panels (solar cells)
and generates direct current electricity.

Small systems can use the electricity directly
(for example solar cells can light roadside signs).

Large systems can use the direct current to make hydrogen from water
or have the direct current changed into alternating current using an inverter.
The alternating current can be connected to the National Grid.

Advantages of a solar photo voltaic power system.

1.  It is renewable.

2.  It does not cause pollution.

Disadvantages.

1.  It does not work well when the sky is cloudy (less Sun).
It is does not work at night (no Sun).

2.  It is relatively expensive.
The future cost is expected to fall with
(i) higher levels of production (make more and they get cheaper)
(ii) improved technology (more electricity from the same amount of sunlight).
(iii) governments pay people to generate their own electricity.

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