The Future Of Solar Power

Study is shedding new light on an unexpected source of energy for heating homes and producing electricity-the sun.

The sun-directly or indirectly-is the major source for most types of energy found on Earth. Solar energy is clean, abundant and renewable.

Though we think of solar energy as a new discovery, ancient civilizations located innovative approaches to work with solar energy. Amongst them, the Greeks, Romans and Chinese all developed approaches to work with solar warmth for their homes, which includes making use of southern exposures to maximize solar heating and generating use of solar lighting.

Now, thanks to innovative technologies, it really is attainable to capture this energy, concentrate it, shop it and convert it into electrical energy.

Sunlight is converted into electrical energy making use of solar cells. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells, or “PV cells” for short. PV cells had been first developed inside the 1950s for use in American space satellites. Today, they may be employed for energy needs ranging from telecommunications to rural electrification. PV cells may be located on items we use every day, for instance calculators, flashlights, radios, landscape lighting and children’s toys.

Portable solar photovoltaic units are also available for emergency and disaster use, just like keeping cell phones and smaller appliances charged when the user is away from the grid or through blackouts.

Shoppers can harness the energy in the sun for themselves more effortlessly than ever. Solar panels you see on buildings and homes have been available on the market for decades. New systems-which incorporate solar into roofing shingles-are now aesthetically pleasing, effective and durable.

2006 ushers in new tax credits for solar energy technologies and buyers might also be eligible for state rebates.

Sunlight is not only employed to generate electricity. It’s also used to heat water, which may be employed to warm homes and organizations. Solar-powered radiant heating systems run some industrial processes and drive turbines to create electrical energy. A lot of solar thermal technologies have been employed in homes for decades and may last more than 20 years.

Specialists believe that solar energy technologies can benefit this nation in quite a few approaches. They have the possible to help diversify this country’s energy provide, reduce the dependence on imported fuels, increase air quality, offset greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economic climate by helping to make jobs inside the manufacturing and installation of solar energy systems.