As the country moves closer to the government’s target for net-zero, it is obvious that we are all looking towards alternative, cleaner ways to create electricity. For years we have relied on coal and gas to provide us with the electricity that we need, but this has come at a price to the planet. We can recover from some of the damage that has been done, and this is why alternative renewable energy sources have been explored and perfected over the last few years.
Most of our electric cabling is created using copper wiring as it is a good conductor of electricity. It is important that the pylons and other structures that carry the cables are robust, and in some cases, the metals may be coated using HVOF from companies like https://www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/plasma-coatings to help prevent them from being damaged by the elements.
Solar panels are one way that we can generate electricity without the need for fossil fuels. The panels are created in a way to gain the heat and light that comes directly from the sun, and this is then generated into electricity. Solar farms have been established across the country to supply electricity to local regions on a large scale. When it comes to individual homes and office buildings, the solar panels that are situated on the roofs of the properties will often generate enough electricity for that property. During the summer months, there is often a surplus which can be put back into the national grid.
One of the stumbling blocks for solar panels has been the way in which the generated electricity is stored. Batteries are supplied to homeowners, and these can store the electricity generated for a set period of time so that the power can be used later on in the year when the sunlight may not be as strong. The photovoltaic cells located within the solar panels are now so sensitive that they can generate power even on a cloudy day or during the autumn and winter months. The cumulative amount that the cells generate during the colder seasons may be less than in the summer, but with the power being stored in batteries, there should be no disruption to supply.