• Solar radiations can be converted electricity through solar cells (photovoltaic cells).
• Photovoltaic cells convert solar radiations directly into electricity through silicon solar cells.
• Solar cells arrange on a large flat sheets form a solar panel.
• Solar cookers are painted black from outside and a large glass plate to trap solar radiations by green house effect.
• Advantage of Solar cookers:
(i) Eco friendly
(ii) Renewable
(iii) Used in rural areas.
(iv) Retains all the nutrients in food due to slow cooking.
• Disadvantages of solar cooker:
(i) Silicon cells are expensive.
(ii) Solar radiations are not uniform over earth’s surface.
(iii) Cannot be used at night or on cloudy days.
(iv) Cannot be used to make chapattis for frying as these require a temperature of 140°C or more.
(Maximum temperature of 100°C only can be achieved in a solar cooker)
• Other solar devices- Solar water heater, Solar furnace
