In simple terms, smog is air pollution that lower visibility. This pollution occurs as a result of harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SOx), and volatile organic compounds.
How is Smog Formed?
The main components of smog are ground-level ozone and airborne particulate matter. Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides create a …
Also known as acid deposition or acid precipitation, acid rain is precipitation that contains acidic components like nitric or sulfuric acid. Acid rain occurs nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are released into your atmosphere through air currents or winds.
Both nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides come from natural sources like burning fossil fuels, manufacturing, and heavy equipment. Before falling to the ground, these acidic …
There is no denying that pollution is a worldwide problem. Pollution is typically the introduction of toxic and harmful substances into the air, water, soil, or food, which can negatively impact human, animal, or plant life.
Pollution can be manmade or a result of natural causes. Here, we will explore the most common types of pollution and their causes.
Air Pollution– Air …
Simply put, solar power is typically the conversion of the sun’s renewable energy into electricity. This can be done through photovoltaic or concentrated solar power. Some countries in the world have adopted the use of solar power, with China and the United States leading in the total solar energy capacity in the world.
In Germany, solar power makes up the highest percentage of electricity production. Solar energy is cost-effective and an …
Solar photovoltaic cells convert energy from the sun into electricity. There are different types of PV cells used from different materials, with the most common material used being silicon. The different types of photovoltaic cells include:
1. Monocrystalline Silicone Cell
This is one of the main types of photovoltaic cells on the market. Produced from monocrystalline silicon, this solar PV cell has 15% efficiency, which …
In 1839, French experimental physicist, Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with an electrolytic cell. Simply put, the photovoltaic effect is the process of generating electric current from a photovoltaic cell to convert sunlight into electricity.
In his experiment with metal electrodes and electrolytes, Edmond established that the cell’s voltage increased during exposure of silver plates to sunlight. The …
The electricity generated by photovoltaic cells by converting radiant solar energy is commonly referred to as photovoltaic electricity. The conversion process uses the principles of the photoelectric effect, which was a theory proposed by Albert Einstein.
Many photovoltaic cells are found in solar panels to harvest any incoming light from the Sun and generate it into an electric current. This generation of electricity is done by the flow of …
A photovoltaic (PV) cell is a type of technology used to harvest energy. The solar energy then goes through the photovoltaic effect process and is converted into useful electricity. PV cells have come in different types, but they all interact with incoming photons from the Sun using semiconductors to generate electricity.
PV Cell Layers
Many layers of materials make up a photovoltaic cell, with each one having its own specific …
Successfully ingraining solar technology in urban living means that the implementation should feel natural and is something that society accepts. A full-scale integration should also have the participation and involvement of all the stakeholders: not only the ones responsible for the technological innovations and solar-cell companies but also the designers, municipalities, architects, energy and construction companies, and the citizens.
Every …
The focus of research regarding photovoltaics technology is how it can be integrated into a structure in a way that all its uses can be combined and taken advantage of effectively.
When you want to ingrain new technology in society, a bird’s eye view of technology integration is not the only requirement. The technology must also be developed in structures that are multifunctional.
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