Life on earth is fueled by the light and heat from the sun. Approximately, 3850 Zettajoules (ZJ) per year is the total amount of solar energy available to the earth. Though the frequency range is different, the suns energy travels via electromagnetic radiation similar to that of radio waves. 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 photovoltaic technology is on the rise.
The cost of recovering the suns energy is recovered faster than with conventional energy. Recovering units work all by themselves, therefore they do not need to be connected to natural gas or power grids. Solar enery is unlimited, and it creates no pollution that enters the ground or the air. There are several ways to recover solar energy: Focusing collectors: This has a movable mirror, known as heliostats, is pointed to the sun and can provide a temperature around 4000 degrees 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 power, 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 smaller,they cannot provide much heat as compared to focusing collectors. Solar distillation: Solar distillation units are similar to flat plate collectors; however, distillation units provide water instead of heat for power generation and home heating.
Sea water is put on the roofs of homes on a tank or ditch and the sun heats and evaporates it and the water vapor turns into liquid distilled water. Solar electricity: The sun’s rays are turned into electric power by slender semiconductors known as focusing collectors and photovoltaic cells. Solar energy would not be affected by the supply and demand of fuel for it is free and it doesn’t polute the atmosphere. It would provide us with better health.It is natural and pure. If we all pitch in and work as a team, there are several options we could use to help conserve both our natural and renewable resources.
Going with solar energy is motivational to others who want to make a difference. The cost of solar energy is less than using gas, electricity, or other types of resources for heat. Gas and electricity have relatively low initial costs, but you’ll pay much higher ongoing expenses. 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 has been availabile in the past, is available now, and barring disaster, should be available for a very long time to come.