What is Solar Energy?

What is solar energy-- will provide a broad understanding of how solar energy is used today, the advances in technology and how active and passive solar differ.

Simply put, solar energy is the light, heat and other radiation put off from the sun. It strikes our planet all the time, regardless of whether we actually make any use of it. While only a very small percentage of the sun's light touches the earth, it's still enough to keep it warm and sustain life. It can also help us reduce our use of other kinds of energy sources, as long as we can invent ways to collect it efficiently. A number of different technologies are being used to do this, and they're advancing every day.

Solar cells, also called photovoltaic (PV) cells, are the most common method of turning the light of the sun into electricity. Called active solar power, this kind of usage is an excellent alternative and supplement to traditional sources of energy, and is becoming common with businesses and homeowners in areas that receive a lot of sunlight. The technology to produce more efficient cells has been progressing quickly, and we can now get more power much more cheaply. While PV panels are the most popular, this technology is experiencing some interesting competition from thin-film solar and prism solar. These options have advantages that will help the solar energy industry grow rapidly and make it much more affordable for homeowners. This is making solar power a viable addition to many homes. In fact, solar energy is growing faster than any other energy sector.

The Simplest Solar

Active solar isn't the only way to harness the light of the sun to produce energy for your home. Passive solar technology - arranging your home so you can take advantage of the heat and light that strikes it every day - can also be a big help. Taking advantage of passive solar energy costs nothing, it does require that you position your home appropriately to take advantage of the sun exposure and have a thermal mass (brick, stone or concrete floors/walls) to absorb the sun's heat.

Another way to take advantage of solar energy is with solar water heaters, they absorb the sun's heat to make hot water and are a great way to cut down on gas and electricity use without a lot of extra expense.

If you're interested in adding active or passive solar technologies to your home, you'll need to evaluate the amount of sunlight and how it strikes your home in the summer and winter in order to maximize your investment. When evaluating your needs, start with determining your current energy usage and have a thorough evaluation of your home's energy efficiency. Reducing your energy usage before purchasing solar technologies will save thousands of dollars. You will be able to buy less solar panels because you have reduced your energy needs.

While it can take some time and effort to make sure you're doing things right, solar technology has the ability to help you cut down on your ecological footprint, and even save money in the long run. If you care about the world around you, and you'd like to make use of this free, clean, almost infinite source of energy, you're not alone. Lots of other people are choosing to go solar, too - and it's a great idea!

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