Life on earth is fueled by the light and heat from the sun. The total amount of solar energy that strikes the earth is about 3850 zettajoules (ZJ) per year. The suns energy travels to the earth by way of electromagnetic radiation like radio waves but the frequency range is different. Heat and light are the primary forms of solar energy.Some of this energy is absorbed as it comes thru the atmosphere. Solar energy has many advantages over conventional energy. The energy from the sun is free the only expense is from recovering the energy. Recently solar cell technology is on the rise.
Using solar energy rather than conventional energy is a faster way to recover from the cost. Recovering units do not need to be connected to gas lines or power lines. They are intended to work by themselves. There is an umlimited supply of solar energy and there are no gases emitted to hurt the earth or its atmosphere. There are several ways to recover solar energy: Focusing collectors: It has an adjustable mirror called a heliostats that is aimed at the sun and can put out a temperature of about 4000 C. This temperature is used for solar furnaces in industry and research, and they do not contaminate the environment.
The heliostats can focus the energy to a boiler that turns water into steam. To generate solar electricity for home use, focusing collectors can be used.
Flat plate collectors: These solar power panels can be used in schools and homes to provide heat using water that is heated in pipes. Since they are not as large, they will provide less heat than focusing collectors. Solar distillation: Solar distillation is about the same as flat plate collectors but provides distilled water instead of heat.
Sea water is put in tanks or ditches on the roof of a house and the heat from the sun heats and evaporates the water and turns the water vapor into liquid water that is distilled. Solar electricity: The use of focusing collectors and photovoltaic cells, made with thin pieces of semiconductors can make radiation form the sun into electricity. Solar energy is non-polluting, and its availability does not depend on supply, demand, or market pricing; it is always free. It is unprocessed and unadulterated. It would engender in us a generally higher level of fitness. Together, there are a multitude methods we may implement to achieve optimal output of natural and renewable resources.
Going with solar energy is motivational to others who want to make a difference. The expenses to using the solar energy are less than the cost of using other resources for heat, including electricity and gas. When you use electricity and gas you may have a low cost up front but in the end you end up paying for it from now on. With solar power you may have an initial investment to turning your home into solar power but after that you have no reason to pay for it any further, unless you use electric or gas for a back up heating source. Solar power was available yesterday, it’s available today and hopefully it will be available for us in the future.
