Harnessing Solar Energy

Harnessing of solar Energy Photosynthesis versus Semiconductor Based Solar Cell Photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells are both(prenominal) enjoymentd to harness solar qualification from the insolate photosynthesis for plants and semiconductor based solar cells for human beings. Photosynthesis consists of swinging reactions and dark reactions. It is a process in which carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and sluttish nada are utilized to synthesize an susceptibility-rich carbohydrate like glucose (C6H12O6) and to set off oxygen (O2) as a by-product.Simply put, photosynthesis is a process that tape drives efficacy from the solarise (solar energy) into chemical energy for plants and animals. Photosynthesis is a vital process among plants, algae and well-nigh bacteria that are able to construct their own food forthwith from inorganic compounds using light energy so that they do not have to eat or rely on nutrients derived from other sprightliness organisms. A semiconductor-based solar cell is devised to change light to electric current.The solar cell directly converts the energy in light into galvanising energy through the process of photovoltaics (a field of semiconductor technology involving the direct changeover of electromagnetic radiation as sunniness, into electricity). Solar cells do not use chemical reactions to produce electric exponent, and they have no moving parts. near solar cells are designed for converting sunlight into electricity. In large arrays, which may contain many thousands of individual cells, they bath function as primeval electric power stations analogous to nuclear, coal-, or oil-fired power plants.The conversion of sunlight into electrical energy in a solar cell involves tierce major processes absorption of the sunlight in the semiconductor material generation and separation of free positive and negative charges to variant regions of the solar cell, creating a voltage in the solar cell and transfe r of these separated charges through electrical terminals to the outside application in the random variable of electric current. Comparisons Photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells both get their energy from the sun and convert it into a form that is needed either by plants or gentleman (Vieru, 2007). The first two steps of photosynthesis involve capturing photons released from the sun and using that energy to create a flow of electrons. From there, photosynthesis involves using that electrical energy to create chemical energy (Stier, 2009). The products of photosynthesis are sugars to feed plants. Semiconductor-based solar cells also induce photons that use energy to create a flow of electrons which create electrical energy. A final similarity between photosynthesis and solar cell technology is that a semi conductor has solar cells that trap energy from the sun and convert it into electricity.Plants have cells that trap energy from the sun and convert it into efficac ious products (Haile & OConnell, 2005). Contrasts The first contrast is in the conversion of energy detain by the sun photosynthesis converts solar energy to chemical energy apply by plants and semiconductor-based cells convert solar energy into electricity employ by humans. The solar panels for semiconductors are manmade and photosynthesis comes from a natural process. Finally, photosynthesis has been rough for billions of years reservation it the oldest technology on earth (Stier, 2009).Charles Fritts created the first solar panel in 1883 which means the semiconductor has been around for about 229 years a absolute zygote to photosynthesis. Thermodynamics Semiconductor-based solar cells and photosynthesis both use the uprightnesss of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is the study of the conversion of energy between heat and other forms, mechanical in particular and it has terzetto laws. The first law of thermodynamics says that energy is conserved, it is neither created nor destroyed but can change form. This is called energy conservation.The flake law of thermodynamics says that systems always tend to be in states of greater disorder. As disorder in the universe increases, the energy is transformed into less usable forms. The third law of thermodynamics is usually tell as a definition the entropy of a perfect crystallizing of an element at the absolute zero of temperature is zero. Thermodynamics apply to photosynthesis by plants transforming sunlight energy into food this is an example of the first law. During the process of photosynthesis plants also drift off energy because they to not convert all of he energy pin down from the sun into food. Some of the energy is lost in the process this demonstrates the second law of thermodynamics. Plants needing to trap energy from the sun constantly demonstrates the final law of thermodynamics because the cycle is repeated. In semiconductor-based solar cells energy from the sun is converted to electrici ty this is the first law. Because energy is lost in the conversion, the second law of thermodynamics is utilize here. Finally, the cells have to continually obtain energy from the sun which obeys the third law of thermodynamics (Heckert, 2007).Solar energy has been around for billions of years whereas semiconductor-based solar cells have only been around a little over 200 years. In writing this, I have discovered that solar energy is harnessed by both photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells to convert energy into food and electricity to be used by plants and human beings. Both photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells utilize all three laws of thermodynamics by converting energy, losing energy, and trapping energy constantly. This shows the many similarities and differences between photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells.