Solar Energy is a Form of Green Energy
Source
Solar energy is a green energy source because it is a renewable
and it does not cause any harm to the environment. This is achieved by converting the sun’s rays into electricity
with the help of solar cells.
There are three basic approaches how we can use this form
of green
energy source namely passive, active and by
using photovoltaic cells.
When we refer to passive solar energy,
nothing is converted. What happens is the building’s design helps avoid heat loss and gets the most out of day
lighting.
Such a technique can also be used in homes because studies have
shown that this can reduce the heating requirements by as much as 80% with minimal cost. This means you don’t have
to turn on the air condition or heater that often and if everyone does that, we don’t consume that much electricity
which we get from non-renewable resources.
The second approach which is active solar energy is the first
way of converting sunlight into heat. You should know that there are certain limits to this one and all it can do
is make sure you have hot water.
The third approach is the big scale version and it can power an
office or an entire home. This is done with the help of solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The
smallest ones around can be seen in calculators and watches with large ones planted over huge acres of
land.
The only limitation to this green energy source is the fact
that it can only generate power when the weather is good and the sun is out. Should it rain, then nothing is
collected and converted. When this happens, the auxiliary system is turned on until the weather
improves.
Despite that, scientists and students themselves have made
solar powered cars. NASA or the National Aeronautical Space Administration has sent satellites into space that are
powered by solar panels. A fully functional airport can function on its own thanks to solar power even if it is
situated in the middle of the frozen desert.
So people can see the awesome power of
solar
energy, did you know a kilowatt of
solar energy can produce 5.5 hours of electricity per day. If you have more solar cells in place, naturally
you will be able to produce enough power to last several days.
Solar energy is just one form of green energy source around.
Through the years, we have learned to tap other resources and these examples include wind power, geothermal energy,
hydroelectricity and biogas. These are all safe and by using these more often, we don’t need to depend on oil which
is a nonrenewable resource.
To make this happen, we have to persuade our law makers to
promote the use of such resources. Although you hear speeches left and right about their concern for the
environment, it is all talk and not that much action. It is something that has to change.
Two countries that have increased solar usage happen to be
Germany and Japan. Spain, France, Italy and South Korea are next on the list and where is the United States?
Well, one thing is for certain and that it is not in the top 10 despite the fact that it is an industrialized
nation.
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