How Does Solar Energy Work?

As the world continues to suffer from climate change and global warming, we are increasingly looking for renewable energy alternatives that do not have the same impact on the planet as fossil fuels. One of the best and most accessible options is solar energy. With the sun providing enough solar radiation to Earth over the course of one hour to power the entire planet for a whole year, solar is clearly the best way forward for a brighter, cleaner future.

Here’s how solar energy works:

Solar radiation is light (electromagnetic radiation) that is emitted from the sun. That radiation travels over 90 million miles to Earth in about 10 minutes. The solar radiation, also known as photons, then becomes the sunlight that we experience on Earth that warms us, helps plants grow, and now provides us with a renewable source of clean energy.

The way we harness that energy is through solar panels that collect the solar radiation and transform it into usable energy sources. This is done through something called photovoltaics (PV). When the sunlight hits a solar panel it is absorbed by the PV cells housed inside the panel. The solar radiation (energy) then generates electrical charges that interact with an internal electrical field within the cell, resulting in a flow of direct current (DC) electricity.

The DC current then flows to something known as an inverter, which converts the electricity from direct current to alternating current (AC). AC electricity is energy that we can then use to power our homes, cars, and cities without harming the planet any further.

The Elumis Foundation believes that no kid should be left in the dark. Our goal is to bring light to families and children around the world who don’t have access to electricity through solar kits. With the renewable power of the sun, we can change the lives of people all around the world, give them opportunities they wouldn’t have without access to electricity, and help our planet in the process. Find out how you can get involved and help us make a difference today!

About the Elumis Foundation

The Elumis Foundation is a certified non-profit organization that was created in 2018 by siblings Eva and Michael Sakellakis (ages 15 and 13), looking to make a difference. Their father, who has his own successful solar business Elumis, helped and inspired them to form the foundation. Together they formed a Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization. This allows all donations to be tax-deductible by the donors. 100% of all donations received will fund the distribution of solar kits to be given to families who do not have electricity in impoverished areas of the world.

Elumis’ goal is to bring light to families and kids without that privilege through solar kits. These solar kits are powered through solar panels and can provide light and electricity for a family for up to 24 continuous hours. The Foundation has already made its first donation of 1000 solar kits in Vietnam and plans to distribute more kits to third-world countries throughout Africa, South East Asia, Central America, and India. Our goal is to distribute at least 100,000 kits to families in need.