The ultimate source of energy

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Solar energy is the most important renewable source of energy. It is produced from the sun’s radiation. Nowadays this renewable energy is used for a wide variety of purposes. The non-renewable energy sources are depleting day by day. So different solar technologies such as solar architecture, solar heating, solar thermal electricity and solar photovoltaic are used to solve the most of the urgent energy problems in the world. Solar technologies are divided into active solar and passive solar technologies. This classification is based on the method by which solar radiations are captured and converted as energy. In active solar techniques, solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels are used for the harnessing of energy. A passive solar technique involves the placing of building towards the sun, capture the radiation and produce the energy.

 

The main advantages of solar energy are cost effectiveness and sustainability and it is used for many purposes. It is mainly used for residential purposes. The important solar equipment used for household purposes are solar heater, solar lights, photovoltaic cells etc. Photovoltaic cells installed on the roofs of the houses will capture solar radiation. The energy from the radiation is turned into electricity and this is used for the working of household equipment. Batteries will capture energy in the day time, store it and supply electric power during night. The usage of solar heaters and solar lights has many advantages. They help to reduce energy expenditure to a great extent. Solar energy is also used for industrial and commercial purposes. They are used to power the TV, radio stations, lighthouse, aircrafts etc. They are widely used in industry, warehouses and offices for power generation. This energy source is very much reliable, affordable and often need less maintenance.

 

There are different advantages of solar energy. For producing energy from the sun, only initial investment is required. We don’t have to afford additional expenditure. Solar equipment reduces the electricity bills. Solar energy reduces the demand of fuel. This kind of energy is very much environmentally friendly. Most of the conventional forms of energy produce harmful pollutants during their combustion. But solar energy does not release toxin like mercury, carbon dioxide, and sulphur oxide or nitrogen oxide during their combustion. Thus it prevents the environment from getting polluted. So it does not cause acid rain, global warming and smog. It helps to decrease the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. Solar power will continuously supply electricity to your homes and offices during power outage.

 

A solar power system does not require connection to a power grid and so such systems can be installed even in remote locations. This is the more cost effective and practical approach of providing power to the remote areas. Less maintenance is required for the solar energy systems. There is no recurring cost for this system. In spite of all these advantages there are some demerits for solar energy.  The initial cost this system is very high as compared with other conventional energy producing systems. For the installation of solar panels large area is needed. Also the production of solar power depends on the presence of pollution and clouds in the air.

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Significance of Solar Energy and Its Uses

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Solar energy is mainly obtained by converting sunlight to electricity. This is achieved either by making use of PV or photovoltaics or by indirectly using CSP (concentrated solar power) systems. In the case of concentrated power systems, they will be using certain mirrors or lenses and will then be tracking the systems for focusing into a huge area of the sunlight on to a small beam. On the other hand, the photovoltaics will be converting the light into electricity with the aid of photoelectric effect. Solar photovoltaics, solar architecture, solar heating and solar thermal electricity are some of the solar power technologies which will be able to make considerable contributions for solving out various issues.

 

The solar power is mainly classified into two groups: active and passive solar. The classification is mainly done based on the way they are capturing, converting as well as distributing the solar energy. Some of the active solar power methods may include the usage of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels for harnessing the energy etc. On the other hand, the passive techniques may include choosing materials which are having light dispersing properties or satisfactory thermal mass, positioning the building to Sun and also designing some spaces which will naturally circulate the air.

 

One of the added advantages with the active solar power technique is that, it will intensify the energy supply and are mainly said to be ‘supply side technology’. However, the passive solar technology will aids in reducing the necessity for other resources and is most often considered as ‘demand side technology’. One of the greatest benefits of the solar power is that, it will be utilizing free energy resources from the sun. This is the technique which is mainly used for the generation of electricity. This in fact can save money too.

 

Even if any extra power is being produced, it can be sold out to various utility providers for profit. Other than just saving money, the use of solar energy will also aids in making money to some extent. In addition to this, there are several other advantages too. You don’t have to do maintenance work at regular intervals. On the other hand, the cost which is associated with the maintenance while considering long term basis are found to be too low. Another added benefit is that, the solar power is considered as a source of energy which is renewable.

 

Even though it is not found to be not used up on cloudy days as well as during night time, you can depend on its availability on each and every day. The solar cells are said to be good collectors. They will not be producing any sort of noises similar to that of the other sources of energy. The solar panels are said to be more reliable. The parts are fixed up and hence they will not be moving around. They can last for a longer period of time when compared with the other sources which are producing energy. This is found to be very clean and hence does not cause any environmental pollution.

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Solar energy – The Only Alternative To Fossil Fuel

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sun is the source of all energy on earth. Capturing the solar energy was done by humans in the past as well. Initially it was for drying and heating by direct contact. Now the most important need of the human race is the electric energy and we have devised methods to harness the energy of sun for that also.

 

The technologies used to capture solar energy are characterized into either passive solar or active solar. Active solar technologies involve usage of photovoltaic cells, solar thermal panels, solar cookers, etc. Passive usage of sun’s energy involves construction of buildings so as to receive maximum amount of light rays and designing areas which naturally circulate air.

 

The solar energy which falls on the earth for one hour is about the same that we humans use in one year. The earth receives about 174 petawatts of incoming radiation at the upper atmosphere. The solar energy is available at different intensities at different geographical locations; therefore, for best use of the solar energy there are certain factors to take into consideration.

 

Solar energy is a potential alternative for fossil fuels. It is a renewable source of energy and will be available as long as the sun lasts. It is estimated that the sun will be shining for another 4.5 million years more. Even then effective capitalization on this free source is hindered by the lack of proper advancement of the technical knowhow. At present the solar energy is captured using solar cells, also called photovoltaic cell which is only 15% efficient.

 

Advantages of Using Solar energy

  1. It is the cheapest energy source available. After the initial investments are recovered, it is basically a free source of energy. The use of solar energy does not require any fuel. The savings from the investment is immediate. The reduction in health cost due to use of solar energy is high.
  2. It is a renewable source of energy which does not harm our environment in any way because the pollution induced by solar energy is nil. There is no release of nitrogen oxide, carbon di oxide, sulphur dioxide, or mercury into the atmosphere. It contributes for reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emission. Since it is mostly generated where it is needed, the cost involved in transportation and recovery is nil.
  3. Most of the solar energy systems work independently. There are no strings attached to it. There are no monthly bills or tax. Government subsidies are available for its establishment and maintenance. It reduces our dependency on centralized sources of energy, so that in the event of a disaster there will be sustained provision of energy for us.
  4. The maintenance costs associated a solar energy system is very minimal. Once established it will last for about 10 years without further maintenance.

 

There are also certain disadvantages in choosing a solar power plant. The main fact which outstretch is the initial cost of installing. Considering its numerous advantages this is the best available alternative to the present deteriorating fossil fuel.

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