Solar energy had being used from the period when humans have existed on this planet. The sun being 150 kilometers away from us helps us in many different ways. Humans have always used the sun’s energy directly (eg, for drying clothes and foodstuffs), as well as indirectly to power the agriculture that supplies us with food. This century we have started to use solar energy more effectively, and it is likely that we’ll increase its use in the future.
Earth receives 5.6 x 1018 (5,600,000,000,000,000,000) megajoules of solar radiation each year, but to make it worthwhile we need to collect it over many hours and across many square meters of ground. We then need to concentrate it so as to make available the sort of power that modern society needs. Sunlight is not as ‘energy-dense’ as oil but this is made up for by the fact that it is present over such a large area.
The use of solar power in the home is becoming an attractive proposition for a growing number of people. People are using this energy to heat their homes and to run diiferent appliances. Solar energy can also be used to generate hot water. By using the solar energy, we not only lower our utility bills but also adds value to our home.
In addition to this, nowadays solar cells also provide the energy to run satellites that orbit the earth. This can help us in giving satellite TV, telephone, navigation, weather forecasting, the internet and all manner of other facilities.
In California, the solar one power station use’s the sun’s heat to make steam and drive a generator to make electicity.
Solar energy can be stored by photoluminescent products and can act as a useful source of emergency lighting in the even of sudden power outage.
The great feature of solar energy is the fact that it is likely to continue to exist so far into the future that we can think of it as being unending. It is, therefore, a form of renewable energy. This is a big contrast with non-renewable energy sources, most of which are running out as we use them. In addition, using solar energy doesn’t cause air pollution or involve damaging the Earth’s surface. It requires no difficult and expensive extraction procedures.
In short, Solar energy is free and doesn’t needs any fuel. It doesn’t produce any waste or pollution.
