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What You Need To Know About Solar Power

Going green is not only fashionable these days; it’s becoming increasing necessary with every doom-filled scientific report about the future of this planet.  And we are the cause of this problem by using energy sources that harm the environment.   Since the Earth is our only home, it is a matter of pure survival to learn all about solar energy.

Solar power is nothing new.  Long before there was Thomas Edison, there was the Sun to dry clothes, grow crops and light the path.  But is solar power feasible and practical in this modern world of cars, skyscrapers and Blackberries?  Of course it is – if we insist on improving all about solar power engineering. There is a lot of conflicting information about solar power out there.

Solar Power Facts

At the time of this writing, only about one percent of the potential power of the sun is being used for solar energy.  That’s sure to grow as time moves on, and demand increases funding for engineers to learn all about solar power.  Check with the American Solar Energy Society for all the latest news about solar power.

Unfortunately, it’s a little complicated getting sunlight from the sun into your battery charger.  Sunlight needs to power a battery, or cell, that converts the sunlight into usable energy.  Sometimes this requires a little of another kind of energy, like electricity or hydrogen power, to make the process work better. 

Currently, we do have solar cells working small devices like calculators, watches and water purifiers.  Energy for bigger projects, like powering up a house, requires solar panels.  These solar panels are made of silicon (a neutrally charged element), which can store energy, and other materials that encourage positive and negative charges.   Both positive and negative charges are needed for power to flow through your house’s wires.  Silicon is like an eight seat taxi, with four seats already filled.  The problem with solar panels today is that you need huge panels to convert a small amount of energy.  

The challenge now is, obviously, to create smaller, faster and more efficient solar panels.  Seem impossible?  Laptop computers seemed impossible at one time.  The first computers took up entire office buildings.  Over the years, computers have gotten smaller and faster, with the help of silicon.   In 2007, East Amwell, New Jersey resident Mike Strizki converted his 3500 foot home entirely to solar and hydrogen power.  He shows that hope for the future is about solar power.

Many Ask What Is Solar Power Doing For Mankind

While many people understand that the sun provides more power in an hour than the world can use in a year, they still wonder what is solar power good for and how can it benefit me? While the idea of using the power of the sunlight has been around for more than 100 years, it was not until the late 1970s that a genuine effort was made to learn about what is solar power and how it can help reduce the world’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Oil, coal and natural gas will only last so long, and estimates of the remaining supply vary from scientist to scientist as well as from government to government. The emission of carbon dioxide and harm to the Earth’s atmosphere has resulted in cries concerning global warming with dire consequences predicted. By learning what solar power is used for, is making a difference in the conversion of solar power to electricity.

Essentially, the suns rays are unfettered and uncontrolled beams of ultraviolet radiation and the first successful experiments in the 1890s and 1900s showed that the sun’s energy could be harnessed to heat water, turning it into steam to power mechanical devices sush a steam engine water pump. From those early experiments, what is solar power has been harnessed through the use of photovoltaic cells to convert the sun’s energy into electric power.

Technology Continues To Improve Process

While the first cells were exceptionally weak, today’s cells are capable of converting only about 15 percent of the energy absorbed into electric power. The direct current produced by solar cells is capable of powering devices requiring DC current, and inverters have been designed to convert the stored power into alternating current to effectively power devices designed to operate on AC current. The early questions about what is solar power good for are continuing to be answered by technicians worldwide.

Other natural resources are also being explored as renewable energy resources such as wind power and water, however water generation is limited to areas where there is a sufficient flow to operate turbine generators. Wind power is also growing in popularity in areas where there is a breeze most days of the year. Electricity being generated by what is solar power is the most popular, as and determined by researchers in 1890, the most likely source of consistent energy in the future. As a result, additional financial and technical focus will be placed on improving what is solar power over the next several years.

We Need It, But Where Is Solar Energy Found?

Yes, obviously solar energy can be found on the sun.  I heard you think that.  Don’t think I didn’t.  But don’t think it again.  No one likes a smart aleck, especially a harried freelance writer who really wonders why my home is still reliant on non-renewable forms of energy.  We all know we need solar energy – but where is solar energy found in the real world of now?

Solar Power, Oh , Solar Power, Wherefore Art Thou?

Very gradually, power plants are offering customers the option of paying extra for electricity made with green power (solar power, wind power, water power) but that is a slow program so far and not available to every town in America.  If you lived in Africa, Australia or India, there are towns powered from large ponds that act as a solar power cell or acres of desert covered in huge panels.

But where is solar energy found in America?  Currently (pun intended, sorry) if you want solar power, you are on your own.  You must take the initiative to convert even part of your home’s energy needs to solar power.  You need to become your own mini power station.

There are many companies that install and maintain solar power panels and solar power generators.  A lot of these companies, not surprisingly, are in states like Texas, California and New Mexico.  But you can still get solar power panels even in Pennsylvania, land of every weather condition known on Earth.

You’ll Need A Loan To Go It Alone

Where is solar energy found in America? Almost every state can boast of some solar powered homes and businesses.   The initial cost of installing a mini solar power plant in your home is quite large, but there are ways to ease this cost.

Home improvement loans from banks include switching to solar power.  Check with your bank for details
Most states offer a tax rebate for property owners who go green
Some states offer a partial refund of your installation costs.  Check with each state government.
On days of high energy demands (such as during a heat wave), the local electricity power companies will cry “Where is solar energy found?” and ask to buy your extra solar power.

So where is solar energy found in America?  Within the demand of property owners and energy consumers, and then in their determination to make a difference.

Understanding What Solar Energy Is

For most people, their first experience in seeing what solar energy is comes from school, generally in the form of a calculator that uses solar cells for power.  This first experience with seeing what solar energy is doesn’t really show the full spectrum of what this plentiful renewable resource is capable of.  To better understand this form of energy, let’s take a look at what solar energy is capable of doing.

It Has Some Matter

It used to be thought that energy had no inherent matter of its own, but what solar energy is composed of is more than just light.  That light contains tiny particles called photons, and weren’t really understood much until Albert Einstein came up with a theory to explain why light was able to interact with matter, causing electrons to come loose from matter when light hit a surface.  This interaction of light and matter, in fact, is what makes solar energy generate electricity in that previously mentioned calculator.  When the light strikes the photovoltaic cells, the electrons that come loose are usable as electricity.

It Can Create Other Forms Of Energy

Another great thing about solar energy is that the energy, known as radiant energy, can be converted to other forms of energy as well.  For instance, when sunlight hits a car that’s been sitting in the sun, that car grows to be very hot inside, which can be uncomfortable when you get in.  But if you had, for instance, a tank of water that you wanted heated, and it was able to absorb solar energy, then you have a hot water heater that works pretty well during the day. 

In the past, this was the only way to have a hot water system when there was no power to run a water heater.  Today, solar energy is what campers use to heat up portable camp showers, which consist of light, clear plastic bags designed to allow solar energy in to heat water that’s been used to fill the bag.  Solar energy is also used in thermal power plants, which uses heat energy to create steam, which then drives an electrical generator.  While more often, fossil fuels are used to accomplish this, there are plants that use solar energy to accomplish this.

It Is Renewable

Above all, solar energy is what we would call a renewable resource; that is, even if we were to use all the solar energy that hit the Earth, which is not likely the sun just keeps producing more of it for us to use.  Solar energy is a plentiful resource, and one that won’t run out for millions of years.  So, its in our best interests to learn to harness this energy resource so we can reduce our dependency on finite resources.

A Guide to Solar Wind Power

Solar wind power is a term which refers to the conversion of wind energy into more useful forms, such as electricity, using wind turbines. Most modern solar wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current, by means of an electrical generator.

Solar wind power has a variety of uses, especially in today’s world, and for instance it is used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, such as crushing grain or pumping water, and it is also used frequently in large scale wind farms for national electrical grids, and even in small individual turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines, which are used to actually produce this solar wind power, are machines which are used to convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy, and basically if the mechanical energy is used directly by machinery then the machine is known as a windmill, whereas if the mechanical energy is then converted into electricity, this machine is called a wind generator.

Benefits

There are many different benefits and advantages which come from the use of solar wind power, as wind power is an ideal renewable source. This is because it is a pollution free, infinite form of energy, does not require fuel, and it does not create greenhouse gases or produce any toxic or radioactive waves.

It is also incredibly quiet and it does not present any sort of significant hazard to birds, other wildlife or the environment. Landowners often receive payment for the use of their land, and so when wind power is produced on their land they end up making a larger income and thus the value of their land is increased as well.

Wind power is also incredibly cost-competitive to other fuel sources, and it is the least expensive of all renewable energy sources. This is because the cost of wind power is free, and so it is thus able to provide a stable long-term price for power production. The popularity of wind power is growing incredibly fast, and it has actually been the world’s fastest growing renewable energy source for more than a decade now.

It is local, as wind power projects keep more energy dollars in the communities where projects are located and provide a steady income through lease payments to the landowners, and as well it is reliable and efficient, as wind energy systems require minimal maintenance and have low operating expenses.

Examining The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy

There are many sources of power that we can use to run our society, and each of those sources has things that are good and things that are bad about them.  Fossil fuels, for example, are easy to obtain and can generate a lot of power, but can pollute and we have a finite amount.  Because of the drawbacks of fossil fuels, some people have been debating the pros and cons of solar energy as a power source.  And although solar energy is an attractive source of energy for many reasons, in the debate about the pros and cons of solar energy, the cons have outweighed the pros for a long time, though this is slowly changing.  Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of solar energy to see why.

Large Power Source, Low Efficiency

To kick off our examination of the pros and cons of solar energy, let’s discuss how much solar energy we have to use and how much we’re actually capable of using.  Currently, the amount of energy that hits the Earth from the sun is many thousands times more than the amount of power that we use every year, which is a big plus when you consider using solar energy. 

However, the drawback is that solar cells for turning this energy into usable electricity aren’t terribly efficient, so it’s hard to take advantage of all that energy yet.  Adding to this problem, we must convert solar power from direct current to alternating current to use it, which results in additional losses in efficiency.  As time goes on and as our solar power technology has improved, though, solar energy has become cheaper and more viable.

The Cost Of Solar Energy

Next, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of solar energy with respect to the cost of solar power.  As you might imagine, solar power itself is inherently inexpensive, since there’s no mining to be done, no transport of fuels to take place, and so on.  Solar power facilities are relatively low maintenance facilities, so the cost of maintaining a facility is relatively low. 

However, the initial cost of setting up a solar facility is high, which requires a large startup cost, since solar panels aren’t cheap.  As a result, solar energy ends up being more expensive than electricity from the grid.  However, remote areas such as island communities can still benefit from it, and the price of solar power goes down every year.  As you can see, it’s only as our technology improves that this plentiful natural resource will come into its own as a truly viable power source.

How Does Solar Energy Work?  The Basics

Through all the concern about pollution and global warning, some people have attempted to figure out how to run our world using alternate sources of energy.  One of these sources, solar energy, holds the appeal of coming from a renewable resource, but the question that the average person has is, how does solar energy work?  To answer the question, how does solar energy work, let’s take a look at the basics of how this renewable energy source can help.

Our Sun: The Source

Of course, the big key to the question, how does solar energy work, is the energy from the sun.  A lot of solar energy hits the Earth; more, in fact, than we can possibly use!  The actual amount of energy of energy that hits the planet every minute is much greater than the amount of energy we use through fossil fuels like coal each year.  The problem, of course, is learning to harness that energy, though there are plenty of ways to do this.

Absorbing The Energy

The answer to the question, how does solar energy work, is to find a way to absorb that energy for use in other applications.  For instance, a solar cooker is usually a box with a transparent lid that reflects light into it, which absorbs a lot of energy, much like a car sitting in the sun might.  This in turn heats the inside of the box to temperatures high enough to cook food, making use of the ambient solar energy to perform the same activities in a stove.  This answer to the question, how does solar energy work, is particularly critical in impoverished areas where fuel for cooking fires is not readily available.

Absorbing In Different Ways: Photovoltaic Cells

Understanding how solar energy can be used for cooking doesn’t quite answer the question, how does solar energy work, with respect to electricity.  The answer to this question is through photovoltaic cells.  In essence, the way these power cells work is similar to the way it works in a cooker; that is, solar energy is absorbed in order to create an effect. 

But in this case, instead of just heating, special cells made of conductive material, called photovoltaic cells, absorb the energy, which knocks electrons loose from atoms and results in a small electrical charge.  The resulting electricity, in the form of direct current, can be converted to alternating current, which American households use.  So, next time someone asks you how this form of energy works, you at least have a basic understanding of how solar energy generates electricity.

Bringing Down The Cost of solar energy With The Help Of Balloons

Most people must surely find that the high costs of energy and the changes in our climate are some of the reasons why we need to find more cost-effective energy solutions. Thus, it is hardly surprising that renewable energy of which solar systems is a good example are creating quite a stir in the imagination of people because such solutions do not pollute the environment and all that is required is plenty of sunshine.

Shortage Of Refined Silicon

However, as with every good thing, there are some serious drawbacks as well such as the shortage of refined silicon that is critical in the fabrication of solar cells. And, since solar installations of necessity need large space, solar arrays do require more real estate and without getting subsidies from the government, cost of solar energy can be prohibitive.

Nevertheless, solar power is a promising source of energy and this has led to many companies striving to address concerns such as these. An alternative mooted is to add solar systems on office buildings and even making multi-use structures that can double as carports and also solar arrays. Even then, cost of solar energy is a major constraining problem which requires further development of solar designs that will help reduce such costs.

Companies such as CoolEarth Solar are convinced that they can manufacture solar systems that can help bring down cost of solar energy and make it cheaper than using coal as well as make farmers is able to supply electricity as well.

The basis for these claims of reducing cost of solar energy is that the company has a technology that makes use of balloons to capture as well as concentrate the energy from sun and not needing any great space to do so, while also not needing great amounts of silicon. According to this company, the cost of solar energy can come down by as much as four hundred time as compared to conventional mirrors, and they are also able to resist winds of hundred miles per hour, thus protecting the mirror surface as well as receivers from the effects of rain, dirt and also insects.

And, the company also says that given the low maintenance as also replacement costs, it can bring down the cost of solar energy to less than two dollars, which is a significant reduction from the present four dollar cost per watt of installed capacity. In addition, such technology can also provide farmers the opportunity to ‘farm’ electricity besides farming their crops. Thus, not only is the cost of solar energy reduced, but it also generates good profits for operators.

Some Basic Facts About Solar Energy

Solar energy remains a perennial topic when it comes to the subject of conservation, alternative energy and the reduction of home expenses. Yet, most people’s knowledge of the subject does not go beyond a surface value level of knowledge. In other words, when it comes to the subject of solar energy, most people realize that it refers to the conversion of sunlight to electricity, but that it falls sort of traditional energy sources such as gas and oil. This is simply not true and is based on a lack of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. In fact, once people are informed of the many positive attributes and facts about solar energy, they begin to see the proverbial light in regards to switching forms of energy to the most cost effective wave of the future known as solar energy.

Facts About Solar Energy Number One: Solar Energy Does Not Cause Pollution

Because solar energy draws its energy from the sun, it does not involve any expelling of carcinogenic properties nor does it create toxic waste. It does not pump any gas or smoke substances into the environment nor does it require any special disposal or clean up. In short, solar energy is about as clean as a source of energy can be. This, additionally, makes solar energy among the cheapest forms of energy available, as it does not require any pollution related costs.

Facts About Solar Energy Number Two: Solar Energy Is Cheaper Than Traditional Gas Heating

Solar energy, when used for heating and electrical purposes, costs significantly less that traditional gas or electrical utility costs. Yes, there are additional one-time costs involved with installing solar panels, but in time these expenses are recouped via the savings on monthly utility bills.

Facts About Solar Energy Number Three: Solar Energy Provides Energy Independence

Solar energy also provides for a reduction of dependence on foreign oil. Considering that dependence on foreign oil remains a major aspect of socio-political strife in the world, the fact that solar energy can reduce such foreign dependence makes it an incredibly important area of renewable energy to pursue.

When one examines these facts about solar energy, it becomes clear that solar energy remains a hugely positive alternate energy source that is cost effective, safe for the environment and serves the global good. Because of this, solar energy will increase in popularity in the future. Those looking for alternatives to traditional forms of energy should give it serious consideration.

Weigh Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Power Before Investing

Those thinking of cutting their ties with the electric company and relying on the sun to provide electric power should consider the advantages and disadvantages of solar power before having the wires removed. The immediate thought is not receiving a monthly electric bill and playing a role in saving the environment from the pollution of fossil fuel power generators, but there are other considerations that may make the move to solar power less attractive.

The first thing to consider is the initial cost of installation to provide enough power to the home and make the return in lower utility bills worth the investment. This cost can be approximated at $10,000 for every 1,000 kilowatts of power generated. While no monthly from the electric company and may be one of the advantages and disadvantages of solar power since if your solar system fails you will be left in the dark. The main components of a solar power generation system consists of solar panels, storage batteries, a power inverter and a charge controller to prevent damage to the batteries as well as to keep them fully charged.

As prices for photovoltaic cells fall, the initial installation will reduce the initial cost, but at its current rate, the average annual cost, considering the five-year life expectancy of many of the parts, will be about $2,000 per year before a return on the investment is realized. However, other advantages and disadvantages of solar power can help make the decision easier.

Environmental Concerns Push People To The Sun

For those conscious of the need for conservation of fossil fuels and to reduce their negative effects on the atmosphere, the advantages and disadvantages of solar power are outweighed by the environmental benefits. The average person uses under 900 kilowatts a month, requiring about 170 pounds of coal. This results in about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide being pushed into the atmosphere every year. It also requires about 100 gallons of water every month.

With the appropriate size solar panel array and sufficient battery backup, solar power can be used 24-hours a day, seven days a week. However, extended periods of bad weather resulting in the sun not penetrating the clouds, the batteries may run low leaving the home without power. However, the advantages and disadvantages of solar power are also overcome in remote areas with little or no access to the power grid. Without the availability of solar power, having electricity would not be possible in these areas.