Solar Energy; The Real Facts
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 Subscribe To Our Feed
Most power plants in the United States and all over world are using fossil fuels to operate and generate electricity. Fossil fuel has been used as an energy source as long as man has learned to generate power. Fossil fuel has been around for ages and when man started using this energy sources no one though about the consequences. Fossil fuels will run out and there will be a shortage of it in near future. This shortage in fossil fuel will have its affect on our daily live and various industries. Today we see some of these affects already, fossil fuel prizes are raising and electricity is becoming more expensive. Although fossil fuels are more scares, to need for fossil fuels will still be here and will not decrease in near future. To solve this shortage of fossil fuels we will need to look for other possibilities for our energy demand.
Fortunately, alternative power sources are growing in fees. As an example, locations with high water falls are experimenting on building a hydro-electric power plant, which turns out to achieve success. Other locations with high wind speed utilize a power wind mills that may convert wind energy into electricity. Also thermal and tidal powers are good choices.
Solar energy is also one of the sources of energy that’s gaining in charges. Solar power has steadily been growing. Today solar power is employed generally in the USA and the benefits are common. Our solar power source, the sun, its life-span is reckoned to be another 4.5 billion years. It is fair to claim that this power source is kind of unending.
Rate of power from the Sun
The sun’s radiation reaches a certain unit of area in space in the area of the Earth’s orbit and is predicted to be at 1,400 watts per square meter. Out of this, photovoltaic cells ( AKA solar cells ) can capture nineteen to fifty six watts per square meter ( for 15% potency ) or an equivalent of 0.45 to 1.35 KW an hour ( kWh ) in an once a year nighttime and daytime average.
Therefore, if there would be more area that’ll be covered by several solar cells, these panels can produce a touch more energy in the shape of electricity than what’s now available from oil, gas, and other power sources mixed ( presuming 8% solar cell potency ).
Conversion of Solar Energy
There are two ways of conversion of solar energy. First is the direct solar energy which involves only one conversion into a usable form. For instance:
Sunlight hits the solar cell, changing it into electricity.
Sunlight hits the absorber surface of a solar thermal collector, changing into thermal energy which can be employed to heat houses during cold season.
The 2nd is the indirect solar electricity which involves more than one conversion to reach a serviceable form. For example :
Plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy to chemical energy, which can be burned later as fuel to generate electricity (also known as bio-fuel technology).
Hydroelectric dams and wind turbines are indirectly supplied by solar energy through its interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere.
Pros and Cons of Solar Energy
Just like every other sorts of energy resources, solar power has its bits and bobs.
Pros :
Pollution-free.
Solar facilities can be run with little additional input or upkeep.
It is abounding. As discussed earlier, almost all of the inhabited areas here on Earth can be reached by daylight.
Cons:
Although it is abundant, non-tropical locations can receive little sunlight. Thus, power that will be produced in these locations is a minimum.
Only during daytime thus not available during night time.
Photovoltaic cell technologies generate direct current (DC) power which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) power used in distribution grids.
Once huge development of the utilization of solar power is materialized, expect that each household or industry in the world will now be powered by solar power. It isn’t just a dream, it’ll be a waking dream.
What you just learned about Solar Pool Heaters is just the beginning. To get the full story and all the details, check us out at Best DIY Solar Power House Guide.
Evans D. Smith
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