​Solar Thermal Power Plant

Solar Energy

​There are two main types of Solar Energy Plants

1. Photovotaic (PV) cells collect solar energy and change it into electricity.

2. Solar Thermal: sun shines on large panels which heat up water to turn a steam turbine.

What is Solar Energy?

Solar energy comes from the sun.

The sun send energy to the Earth in the form of radiation.

This energy also heats the Earth.

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells (PV) collect the radiation and turn it into useable energy.

How does a PV cell work?

When the sunlight hits the cell, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms.

As the electrons flow through the PV cell, they make electricity.

This electricity can be used to power things.

It is the same idea as a steam turbine. But instead of using a generator with a magnet, the PV cell can make electricity.

PV cells can be used in cities on street signs or lights.

The PV cells can collect energy from the sun all day and be used at night.

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Solar Energy in Cities

You can also add solar panels to the roof of your house.

The panels will change solar energy to electricity for your home. Extra electricity can be given back to the electricity grid.

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Solar Energy in Cities

Solar thermal powerplants are a lot like other power plants.

They use mirrors to heat up water to turn a steam turbine which spins a generator to create electricity.

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Solar Thermal

Several building in Taiwan use solar power.

One of the most famous is the Beitou Library.

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​Solar Power in Taiwan