Wednesday, December 15, 2010

What is Solar Energy

Solar Energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth.



How it Works
There are several ways to use the sun’s power to generate electricity. One of the most promising is called concentrating solar power. This involves using mirrors to reflect and focus the sun’s rays, providing heat, which in turn helps power a generator. Another is photovoltaic panels, such as the displays on the rooftops of homes and office buildings.

Uses And drawbacks
The drawback to solar power is that it is expensive to produce: generating power from photovoltaic panels costs more than four times as much as coal, and more than twice what wind power costs. But today we are again realizing what history should have taught us. We need to free our self from the use of fossil fuel based energy, and now that need is expedited by the evidence of global warming that is becoming too clear to dispute. So the time is now to begin saving on your home and water heating costs. The technology exists for people to begin making solar power at home.

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