What
is solar energy? How is it
generated?
We
all know solar energy is obtained from the sunlight we
receive. Sunlight is actually a beam of electromagnetic
waves that are absorbed by the upper layers of earth’s
atmosphere. This is called solar radiation and the
energy is called radiant energy. About seventy percent
of this radiant energy that reaches earth is absorbed by
the water bodies, clouds and the landmasses. The rest is
reflected back to the space. A good amount of this
absorbed sunlight can be captured and machinated into
different forms of power suiting our various
requirements. This conversion of this radiant energy
into electricity, mechanical power or even chemical
power is called as solar energy. Solar energy is
generated by modern techniques called solar power
generators of various types like photovoltaic cells,
solar thermals, solar heaters, solar roof tiles, solar
chimneys etc. Solar energy is being harvested largely
across the environ-conscious world. This article
discloses some very real facts about solar
energy that were never addressed
before.
Facts
about solar energy: Myths
resolved
In
spite of the entire cognizance worldwide about solar
power saving and regeneration, there still endures a
dilemma to accept the facts about solar energy. A
misconception and skepticism that dominates most of the
hearts is yet to be enlightened by the convincing
developments of modern science. However, there is some
solid pragmatism that cannot be belittled by any means.
Firstly, solar energy is the best amongst all other
traditional sources of energy because it saves the
environment by producing NO amounts of greenhouse gases
and air pollutants. Apart from the direct use of solar
energy like the heat needed in the colder seasons,
drying clothes, absorbing vitamin D for the bones there
are several other uses that are performed by capturing
and machinating this wonder power by the solar power
generators. Solar energy generators find their
application in a varied number of fields like lighting
buildings, in architecture, agriculture, urban planning,
solar vehicles and even domestic usages like cooking and
water heating. There is a myth among many people that
installation of a solar power generator takes a hefty
amount of money. But the bare fact is that solar power
generators are pretty economic if used the right way.
Does anyone of us really think about the massive
electric bill that we pay throughout our life? Believe
you me, solar energy is the cheapest of all the power
resources under the sun. Once installed properly, the
maintenance cost is also
negligible.
Some
more facts about solar energy will help us realize this
massive source of renewable power. The amount of
sunlight that falls in an hour on the earth’s surface
actually surpasses the amount required by the entire
world’s population in a year. And the current demand of
solar power is surpassing the amount that is being
supplied by the solar power
generators.
Facts
about solar energy: environmental compatibility,
economics and development
While
discussing the environmental compatibility of solar
energy, we can usurp that the power, say electricity or
the mechanical power that is generated is absolutely
pollution free and devoid of any greenhouse gases like
that generated from the traditional power plants. Also
compared to the conventional power plants the solar
energy generators are much more economic considering
that the solar plants have a minimum life-cycle cost
like no fuel charges and minimum operating expenses. The
source being a free one, solar energy generators cost
you far lesser than the coal or fossil fuel plants.
However, while discussing the facts about solar energy
let us not overlook the few disadvantages it has. On
discussing the disfavors it offers we might come to a
solution for the same. While installing a solar power
generator we have to make sure that the area gets plenty
of sunlight throughout the year, or else the entire
set-up will go in vain as less sunlight hampers the
efficiency of these generators. Research on these
limitations is still going on and soon will a time come
when every other house will be having a solar power
converter to welcome a greener world ahead. Surprisingly
enough a solar industrialization was predicted way back
in 1447 by Da Vinci which is now nearing its
realization!
Here
is another fact about solar energy –
did you know that you can install a solar energy system
at home yourself? Yes it is possible provided you know a
few things such as how to select the location and set it
up, where to buy cheap parts and batteries from, how to
wire the system and last but not the least the safety
precautions. To build the solar energy system at home
for ecological and financial benefits you need to know
all this.
