Solar Energy - A Great Natural Energy Resource

May 24
07:25

2010

Kathy Wolfe

Kathy Wolfe

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Solar energy is one of the best types of alternative, green energy sources that is used today. To help reduce our dependency on fossil fuels for power, more of us need to invest in creating electricity from solar energy.

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One of the finest environmentally friendly types of alternative energy is solar energy. This is achieved by converting sunshine into electrical energy by making use of solar cells.

Basically,Solar Energy - A Great Natural Energy Resource Articles there are 3 manners in which we can take advantage of solar energy for our benefit. They comprise of passive and active solar energy, and also by using photovoltaic panels.

No energy is transformed when we use passive solar power. Passive solar energy uses the architectural structure of a building to obtain the highest gain coming from sunshine.

This type of method can also be used in homes. Studies have proven that for minimal cost, this can lower the heating demands up to 80%. You won't need to use the heating system nearly as much as you would otherwise. If we all used a passive approach, we wouldn't consume nearly as much electricity as we currently do. Our electricity is mostly produced by using, and depleting, non-renewable energy resources.

Active solar energy, which is the second way, converts the rays of the sun into heat. This performs best for providing hot water. It can be a substantial benefit, particularly if you use a hot water heating system in your residence.

The third, and the best system for supplying electricity is to use solar cells. The final product is electrical power to use for just about everything we require. It can work for a small building or a whole home. The size of the solar system will decide on the amount of power changed into electricity. This is completed with the use of solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. Large numbers of solar cells are used to create the solar panels that harness the sun's energy. These panels are the kind found on the roofs of residences and office buildings.

Weather conditions are what will control how effectively this green energy source produces power. It will only work well in direct sunshine. It isn't able to accumulate and convert power on overcast or rainy days. An additional source of electricity may have to be used until the sun comes out again, if you don't own a big enough rack of batteries in reserve.

Among the more interesting uses of solar energy has been when solar driven autos have been constructed as experiments. Just like buildings, they are limited by the size of the battery bank built into the vehicle. Solar panels even produce power for the satellites orbiting around the earth. A fully operating business can even function on its own, thanks to photovoltaic power. Solar panels can be located anywhere on the planet, as long as there is a great deal of sunshine readily available. They will also work well year round, as long as the sun is bright.

The larger the number of solar cells used in your panels will definitely result in a greater quantity of electricity that you can produce. If sufficient in size, this could probably get your household through several days of cloudiness. If your battery bank is large enough, you could never have to resort to using traditional electricity.

Solar energy is not the only source of alternative power which could be given consideration. There are various other alternative energy sources that we've found out how to make full use of. Additional green power sources sometimes utilized are wind energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity and bio-fuels. These kinds of energy are all harmless to the environment. By utilizing them more often, we won't need to rely on fossil fuels in the form of coal or oil, which are both nonrenewable resources.

As a nation, we will need to pressure our politicians to pass laws to stimulate the use of the many types of green energy. While you hear a good deal of discussion by our politicians about their concern for the environment, very little action has been taken on the problem, and it remains mostly all talk. To save our planet, this has to be changed.

America is not even one of the top ten countries that are expanding their use of renewable energy sources. Germany and Japan are two countries that have greatly broadened their use of solar energy. The world leader in the use and production of solar panels is Germany. Spain, France, Italy and South Korea are following their example.

There is no doubt that the United States can be more responsible, and not end up being left behind in the switch to green energy. We all need to stop talking about it, and literally start taking steps to rid ourselves from our need to rely on non-renewable fuels.