Solar Energy As a Renewable Source

Solar Energy
Solar energy is the energy available as the solar radiation from the sun. Sun is the source of almost all the energy that is available on earth. It is the single and most viable alternative source of energy. It is about 150 million kilometers away from the Earth. Sun shines brightly and huge amount of radiation energy reaches the earth. The amount of Sun’s energy reaching the earth is enough to meet all the human energy need; the limitation is to harness them. Most of the energy utilized by the green plants and fossil fuels derive their energy from the Sun. The energy from the water, wind, and tides are all the result of the interaction of sun's energy with the Earth's atmosphere. It is a non depleted source of energy that man can depend on for many years to come. Solar energy is used by harnessing the Sun's  radiation to be converted into electricity, solar thermal panels to heat  water or air for heating rooms, solar thermal generator etc. The Sun’s energy has been used for drying clothes and foods.

Photo credit: solarenergy.gen.in

Solar energy technology can be classified into passive solar devices and active solar devices depending upon the capture, conversion, and distribution of solar energy. Solar energy can be utilized in various ways such as using solar panels to generate electricity, solar thermal solution for cooking and heating rooms, day lighting, desalination of salt water for drinking water, used in thermal generator for production of electricity etc.

Uses of Solar Energy

Solar home heating is where solar energy or heat from the Sun can be used to heat the home and interiors. The Sun’s heat is directed to solar collector panels that are filled with fluid such as water or air. These panels are mounted on a Sun-facing roof or wall that admits Sun light. Water or air is circulated through pipes along these panels, which get heated by the exposure to Sun light. This heated fluid or air is then circulated around the house through pipes for warming purposes. This helps the centralized heating system which can help save the fuel costs.

Photo credit: solar-energy-at-home.com

Solar furnace is used to cook food and drinks. It consists of a huge array of mirrors that concentrates the Sun’s energy into a small area, which produces very high temperatures. Solar furnace is used as a solar cooker for cooking foods and drinks especially when the whether is hot and warm and in warm climates.

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Solar panels or photovoltaic panels are used to convert solar energy into electricity. These are used mostly for powering satellites in space. There are many electronic devices that work with the help of solar panels such as calculators, video games, etc. It can also supply power to appliances such as electric bulbs, fans, and other electrical devices. Solar power panels can supply energy to the entire house by storing the electrical energy in a battery and then powering an inverter to produce the AC line voltage. Good storage batteries and sufficient solar panels can help supply several hours of electricity to the house, mostly at night when the sun is not shining. The home solar system can almost entirely supply the home energy need and can save electricity bills. Solar panels can also power devices such as mobiles, laptops, notebooks etc. It can also charge rechargeable batteries used in small electronic devices.

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Solar power station produces electric power by a solar thermal generator. Here many solar reflectors or mirrors are used to concentrate the rays of the Sun to a central power tower. The mirrors are mounted in such a way that it always faces the Sun at all times of the day. Its position is maintained using a motorized rotator that turns, so that the Sun's energy is reflected straight to the tower. The mirrors reflect the Sun’s energy to the central tower where enough heat is generated to heat the oil in the power generator around 3000 degrees Celsius. The heat in the oil is used to generate steam in a steam chamber that drives the generator which produces electric power.

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Advantages:

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy that can be utilized without it getting exhausted.

Solar  energy is non polluting and is not a source of pollution of either air,  water and there are no byproducts formed as a result of solar  radiation.

It  can help to prevent the excessive burning of fossil fuels and the  resultant pollution in the form of air pollution, water pollution, smog,  acid rain etc.

Solar  energy can be utilized in various means such as by solar panels, solar  water heaters and cooking utilities, solar furnaces, solar thermal power  generation etc.

Solar energy is a very efficient form of energy which can be effectively utilized for human needs.

The  durability of solar panels used for electricity production is 25 years  and more and the cost and efficiency of the panels are coming  drastically down.

Drawbacks:

Solar energy is not produced with the absence of the sun during night and on cloudy skies or rainy days.

Solar energy production infrastructure can cost somewhat high at the beginning but later pays off.