Our Planet is Blue, But Needs to Be Green
Solar Power - Here comes the sun!
In some ways, humans are "solar powered" as the things we need for survival are all based on plants that need solar energy to grow. For generating electricity, there are two main sources of solar power - solar collectors and photovoltaic cells.
Solar Collectors
Concentrated sunlight is used to heat a liquid which then produces steam to turn a turbine. The way the sunlight is concentrated depends on the design. Some designs use large mirrors to focus the beam; some are "solar troughs" that track the sun as it moves through the sky during the day. These structures are typically found in arid areas that receive large amounts of sunshine.
Photovoltaic Cells
Since most of us do not have the space to build a solar collector, photovoltaic cells hold the best promise for homeowners to generate electricity from solar energy. First used in the space program to produce power for satellites, PVC's can now be used in many different applications, including covering an entire house roof. Germany leads the production and use of PVCs in all sorts of applications. Solar panels will never take your house "off the grid" but they can be used to supplement your electricity from the power company with free electricity that does not add any carbon dioxide to the earth's atmosphere. In order for your house to be off the grid using solar, you would have to install large battery systems to store the electricity for the evening.
Solar Collectors
Concentrated sunlight is used to heat a liquid which then produces steam to turn a turbine. The way the sunlight is concentrated depends on the design. Some designs use large mirrors to focus the beam; some are "solar troughs" that track the sun as it moves through the sky during the day. These structures are typically found in arid areas that receive large amounts of sunshine.
Photovoltaic Cells
Since most of us do not have the space to build a solar collector, photovoltaic cells hold the best promise for homeowners to generate electricity from solar energy. First used in the space program to produce power for satellites, PVC's can now be used in many different applications, including covering an entire house roof. Germany leads the production and use of PVCs in all sorts of applications. Solar panels will never take your house "off the grid" but they can be used to supplement your electricity from the power company with free electricity that does not add any carbon dioxide to the earth's atmosphere. In order for your house to be off the grid using solar, you would have to install large battery systems to store the electricity for the evening.
Other Types of Solar Energy
Passive solar systems "collect" solar energy to heat swimming pools and hot water for your house and is probably the most familiar home application for solar energy. Sometimes states may offer tax rebates for persons to install passive water heating systems.
What is the Future of Solar Energy?
The best future of solar energy is probably in photovoltaic cells. The American Southwest can be the "sunbelt" to provide millions of megawatts of electricity that adds nothing to the carbon footprint. In ten years, the cost of producing electricity from photovoltaic cells will be the same as conventional fossil fuel plants.
Passive solar systems "collect" solar energy to heat swimming pools and hot water for your house and is probably the most familiar home application for solar energy. Sometimes states may offer tax rebates for persons to install passive water heating systems.
What is the Future of Solar Energy?
The best future of solar energy is probably in photovoltaic cells. The American Southwest can be the "sunbelt" to provide millions of megawatts of electricity that adds nothing to the carbon footprint. In ten years, the cost of producing electricity from photovoltaic cells will be the same as conventional fossil fuel plants.
What can I do to support Solar Energy?Install photovoltaic cells to supplement your power
Buy solar-powered yard lights
Write your representatives to encourage the support of solar energy
