Solar Power
With fuel reserves running out at a rate faster than they are being discovered and new energy sources not being built fast enough to keep up with future demand it is only prudent that we use the abundant energy available for free from the sun – solar energy.
Using solar energy helps greatly reduce environmental pollution.
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Many people resist installing solar power in their homes thinking them to be extremely expensive and cumbersome. The other problem is that we really do not understand the technology involved and are wary of change in the way that we generate our power requirements.
You will, however, be surprised to know how easy it is to install and make use of these power solutions. In your own homes. The major benefit being that they will significantly reduce your power bills. You will also be secure in the knowledge that you are doing your part in saving energy resources and reducing the impact of pollution for future generations.
Solar cooker: A solar cooker is a cooking device that uses only the power of the sun for cooking. You can easily cook food for up to five people in the small box like device. If you think using a solar cooker will reduce your choice of menu then think again you will be surprised to know that you can not only boil food but also roast and bake using only the sun's power !
The only downside with the solar cooker is the time it takes to cook. A small price to pay given the free source of energy it uses, and the reduction in ever growing bills.
Solar home lighting: Solar home lighting system converts solar energy into electrical energy for your home using photovoltaic cell's that are grouped together to increase efficiency and output. At night your house can still be illuminated because of the solar energy stored in the solar cells.
If you install a solar home lighting system in your home you will never again worry about large electricity bills.
Solar heating system: By Installing a solar hot water heating system in your home it will help cutting down your electricity bill as well as saving the world's depleting power and fuel resources. In the past some system's were quite bulky but thanks to improved technology companies providing solar power solutions for homes can now install aesthetically pleasing heating systems in your home.
The other barrier to installing solar heating was the costs involved but today investing in a solar heating system is a good move because you can get a return on your investment within three to four years.
Solar water heating systems are split into two groups: Active and passive. When the heating systems are active they rely on a pumping system or other mechanical device that can move the water between the flat plate collector and the storage tank.
Active is the most common as it is quicker and more efficient. A passive system uses gravity to move the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. This can result in performance issues and can be slow at times resulting in a lack of hot water.
Both systems are a logical consideration and it may be more of a choice of preference for you. Another detail that you need to consider is that if your flat plate collector and your storage tank are not at the correct angle it may be hard or near impossible for gravity to feed the liquid through.
By Scott Devere
Solar power is clean power.
Solar energy is the future, and the future is just about to hit you square in the face. The energy generated from the heat or light from the sun will soon power the entire world, all by itself.
Solar power, also called solar energy, can be used to produce heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling. It is reliable and efficient, especially now, and as time goes on it will get even better. Solar power is even evident on cloudy days, because much of the sun's radiant energy can reach you even through the clouds. That's why so many people get sunburned on overcast days, they play outside all day without sunblock, and end up sunburned.
Solar power is produced by using photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture the energy of the sun and convert it into electricity. The basic units of the system are solar cells, all of which are connected together into modules.
Solar power is rapidly becoming the solution for many businesses and home owners who want to control the escalating cost of electricity. Global warming and generous rebates and tax incentives are in the process of ushering in the next wave of alternative energy. Solar power is also currently being widely used by owners of recreational vehicles (RVs) and luxury boats as well.
Solar power is a major player in a sustainable energy plan. In sunny areas, many people have installed panels on their roofs to help with powering their air-conditioning, lighting, and other household necessities; people are beginning to find that the panels pay for themselves.
Solar power is an incredible source of power emanating from a practically inexhaustible source - the Sun. It is a form of energy derived from the Sun, which is then converted into electricity or heat. Solar power is actually the heat that we receive from the Sun on a daily basis.
The Earth, being placed at a certain distance from the Sun, receives enough light and heat to keep it warm. Solar power has to be part of the global energy mix.
The global power economy is in the early stages of a shift as profound as the shift when gasoline began to be widely used. It is currently heavily dependent on government subsidies to promote rapid introduction and acceptance by mass markets.
Solar is an inert process that makes it difficult to compare to other non-inert technologies when comparing costs, considering that current solar modules are generally warranted for a 25 year life span. Solar power is pollution free during usage. Production end wastes and emissions are manageable using existing pollution controls.
The power is made from the sun's rays, which is completely natural and renewable. Concentrated solar power, also called solar thermal, is a means of gathering solar energy distinct from the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Instead of directly converting solar energy to electricity as in PV panels, concentrated solar power concentrates sunlight onto a relatively small point, which heats a medium.
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. The concentrated light is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant. Concentrating solar power systems generate electricity with heat.
By Julie Landry
