Solar Energy - An Ideal Renewable Energy Resource

Social IssuesEnvironment

  • Author Kathy Hupp
  • Published July 12, 2010
  • Word count 778

One of the most effective environmentally friendly forms of renewable power is solar energy. By using solar cells, sun energy is transformed into electricity that can be used in our homes.

There are three different ways we can work with solar energy for our benefit. They are passive, active, and by harnessing solar power by using photovoltaic or pv cells.

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

This approach can be applied to houses, as long as the location and shape of the home is taken into consideration. Studies have shown that for minimal cost, this can easily decrease the heating requirements by as much as 80%. You won't need to use the heating system nearly as much as you would otherwise. As a people, we would not consume anywhere near the amount of energy that we do now, if we all used a passive solar approach. Our electricity is mostly produced by using, and depleting, non-renewable energy resources.

Active solar energy, which is the second method, converts the sun's rays into heat. This works best at creating hot water. It can be a huge help, particularly if you use a hot water heating system in your residence.

The third, and the best method for producing electricity is to use solar cells. This will make it possible for us to have the power we need to have by making our own electricity. It can power a small building or an entire home. It is only restricted by the size of the solar system. Solar cells convert sunshine into electricity as direct current, or by utilizing a power inverter, it can be transformed into alternating current. This is the standard sort of electricity used in our homes. Large amounts of solar cells are used to create the solar panels that harness the sun's energy. Houses and office buildings can often be seen with solar panels built on top of the roof.

Weather conditions are what will limit how well this renewable energy source produces power. It can only work effectively in strong sunlight. If it is cloudy, then no electrical power is produced whatsoever. Without a large battery reserve, conventional electricity will need to be switched on until the weather eventually improves.

Among the more interesting uses of solar power is when solar powered autos have been constructed as experiments. The same as buildings, they are restricted by the size of the battery bank built into the automobile. Solar panels even power the satellites orbiting around the planet. A completely functioning business can even operate by itself, thanks to photovoltaic energy. It doesn't make a difference where solar panels are located, as long as they get plenty of direct sunlight. Solar panels deliver results in the winter, as well as the summer.

The larger the number of solar cells put into use in your panels is going to result in a more substantial quantity of electricity that can be manufactured. If sufficient in size, this could probably get your household through several days of cloudiness. If you have a sufficiently sized battery reserve, you may never have to switch to using traditional electricity.

Solar power is just one of the types of green energy sources. Over the years, we have learned to make use of other renewable sources. Additional natural power sources commonly used are wind power, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity and bio-fuels. No detrimental effects to our environment are a result of utilizing these alternative energy sources. We could reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy resources, like coal and oil, if a lot more people used alternative energy for our energy.

To make this happy event happen, we need to get our legislation to endorse the use of green energy. While you hear much talk from our politicians about their concern for the environment, very little has been done about the issue, and it continues to be mostly all talk. Changes have to be completed to save the world for our descendants.

America is not even one of the top ten nations that are enlarging their use of replenishable energy resources. Two nations that have accelerated their solar power usage are Germany and Japan. The world leader in the use and generation of solar cells is Germany. Right after Germany and Japan in renewable energy use are Italy, Spain, South Korea, and France. Surely the United states can do better, and not be left behind. We ought to follow their lead, and do our best to move from fossil fuels to the many varieties of green energy sources.

Visit Solar Powered Generator to find information for making your own green electricity with solar energy.

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