What Is Solar Energy
Solar energy is the energy provided by the sun’s radiation..With the exception of nuclear energy, geothermal energy and tidal energy (from the movement of water created by the tide), it is the source of all energy on Earth.
Through various processes, solar power can be transformed into heat,electricity or biomass energy.Techniques to directly capture a part of this energy are available and are being improved continuously.
One can distinguish three types of Solar Energy
Solar Photovoltaic:
This refers to electricity produced by converting a portion of solar radiation with a photocell (which is an electronic component, exposed to light (photons), which generates a voltage). Several cells are connected in a solar photovoltaic module. And then, more modules are grouped to form a solar panel system for individual use, or a solar photovoltaic power plant, which supplies an electrical distribution network. The term “photovoltaic” refers to the physical phenomenon – the photovoltaic effect – or the related technology.
Solar Thermal
Solar thermal is to use heat from solar radiation. It comes in different forms: thermodynamic solar power, hot water and heating, cooling, solar cookers and dryers. Solar power is a thermodynamic technique that uses solar energy to generate electricity.
Passive Solar Power:
The oldest use of solar energy is the direct input of solar radiation and is called passive solar Power.
For a building that benefits from good sunlight, it must take into account the solar energy in the architectural design: double facades, orientation towards the south and glass surfaces, among others. The thermal insulation plays an important role to optimize the proportion of the available passive solar heating and lighting. A house or a building which has a high passive solar energy content,contributes to a significant reduction in the amount of energy used and therefore a lowering of your power bills.
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Solar Energy= Using The Power Of The Sun
When asked about alternative or renewable energy, most people would automatically think of solar energy.
Generating electricity from the sun is a renewable technology that the majority of people know well. Whether it is simply your pocket calculator, your home, or in your workshop, regardless of your power needs, solar energy can get the job done.
Solar Energy has several unique advantages over standard grid-based electricity. Solar electric systems can be designed for a variety of applications and are extremely useful in remote areas where grid based electricity does not exist. They could prove to be very beneficial in third world or developing countries, helping to bring electricity and all its associated benefits to the wider population Also photovoltaic panels that generate solar power, have no moving parts, therefore minimal maintenance is required, and the smaller units are totally portable, which is another huge advantage in off-grid locations.
Eco-friendliness is a major selling point for converting to solar energy. Its fuel is a free renewable resource, namely the sun. Solar Energy offers a total pollution free source of energy, unlike fossil fuelled electricity, that emits greenhouse gases. Another attractive factor for many who choose solar electricity over grid based power is simply the feeling of total freedom. Freedom from the power company, freedom from power cuts and blackouts and total freedom from their ever rising prices.
The most difficult part of converting to solar energy is the initial set up cost of the system. Solar Power, is not a cheap quick fix. It should be viewed as a long term investment. A professionally installed retail system for an average dwelling should pay for itself in 5/7 years. Costs can be greatly reduced by either, building your own or purchasing a used solar panel system.
A Do it yourself system is much easier than you think with excellent guides and videos available now, so even a novice Do it yourselfer can install their own Solar Panels. Also increasingly now, Governments are introducing grants for installing solar energy, and it is also possible, that you may be able to sell your unused solar electricity back to the power company. In these cases, payback on your initial investment would be much quicker.
World’s Top Ten Solar Energy Nations
Solar Energy is becoming of immense importance in current times. With global warming breathing heavily over our shoulders, we just cannot do without wind and solar energy. Countries across the world have geared up to develop alternative energy sources for better living.
India,for example is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, which is an ideal combination for using Solar Energy. However, on the world map, India lags far behind other countries in solar generation, although the country has made significant progress in wind energy generation.
They are making big strides however in trying to catch up.Back in July 2009, India unveiled a $19-billion plan to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020.To further achieve their aims the Indian government has decreed that all government buildings, hospitals and schools must be totally solar powered.
Let us take a look at the top 10 countries using solar power.
1. Germany
Total use: 10,000 megawatts
Germany is the world leader in solar energy and aims to be totally 100% renewable by 2050
In 2009 alone, Germany installed 3,806 megawatts of solar energy capacity, which is more than Spain’s total capacity and almost eight times more than the US recently installed.
2. Spain
Total use: 3,500 MW
Spain was the world leader in newly installed PV solar energy (2,605 MW) in 2008 but has been overtaken by Germany as its new installed capacity decreased tremendously (to just 69 MW) in 2009.
The reasons for this drop are attributed to the delay and complexity of a new government subsidy programme and a decrease in energy demand due to the economic crisis.
With expectations that both of these will improve, Spain is expected to bump up its solar energy capacity again this year.
3. Japan
Total use: 2,700 MW
Perhaps a surprise entry at No3, Japan has set a high solar energy goal of achieving 28 GW by 2020 and 53 GW by 2030.
$9 billion was invested in their solar energy program in 2009 alone, and the government also announced a plan to install solar power at 32,000 schools.
4. United States
Total use: 1,800 MW
From a relatively low starting point solar energy use is expected to rise rapidly in the US over the next few years,due to the large number of solar projects already in the pipeline.These were aided not only by supportive state level policies but also by the lifting of the Federal solar tax credit cap in 2009.
5. Italy
Total use: 1,300 MW
In 2009, Italy had experienced the second-largest Solar Power growth in the world.
Italians install more solar power ever 2 months than California does in an entire year.
6. Czech Republic
Total use: 600 MW
Again,perhaps a surprising entry into the list.The Solar energy market in this country has boomed,due to a generous Feed in Tariff and a general slashing of administrative red tape.There are some concerns though that the boom is unsustainable and the solar energy bubble will probably burst in the coming years.
7. Belgium
Total use: 450 MW
Belgium is a bit of a 2011 solar energy surprise.
Belgium’s success was from ‘a well-designed Green Certificates scheme (which actually works as a Feed-in Tariff), combined with additional tax rebates and electricity self-consumption.’
8. China
Total use: 400 MW
China is a major solar panel manufacturer but has installed very little of it itself. But that is about to change dramatically.
The Chinese government has recently announced projects totally12 Gigawatts of solar energy and when these projects are implemented China will undoubtedly rise to the top of the list.
According to China’s national energy plan, Solar energy production is expected to reach a total of 20 GW by 2020.
9. France
Total use: 350 MW
France has a well-designed Feed in Tariff system which has encouraged solar uptake.One concern however,appears to be the amount of production that is not connected to the Grid.In 2009, 285 MW of capacity was installed but only 185 MW was connected to the grid.This is an issue which clearly will have to be addressed.
10. India
Total use: 200 MW
India is developing quickly and has ever increasing electricity demands. Its climate makes it ideal for Solar production and the Indian government has also been moving forward strongly on clean energy.
The country has a goal to reach 20 GW by 2020 as well.Many experts expect India to rise steadily on the listing over the coming years.
The above listing is of course based on large scale commercial projects.If you want to read more on how you can individually benefit from Solar or Wind Energy click here now.
Uses Of Solar Energy For The Purpose Of Heating Systems
We are end up knowledgeable about rotating a dial or even clicking some control so as to get heat. All these simple ways are actually neat nevertheless they may be annoying likewise. Heating up houses, schools or companies by way of solar powered energy it isn’t just easy but inexpensive too. There are lots of strategies that we can easily collect the sun’s heat even in winter time. In order to capture the sun’s heat you must use a solar source. This specific source is something designed to bring in the sunshine but capture heat from it every time it enters the source. A decent illustration is a sunroom.
These particular rooms are attached to a house or a building and they are made out of glass sections from the floor towards the ceiling. It’s usually oriented towards the morning sun’s rays to get the entire outcome in the heat. When the sun shines straight into the room, the glass facilitates the sun’s light heat up the furnishings as well as everything in the room. These particular areas get to be the foundation that store the heat in so that it wouldn’t escape out of the glass. This particular home heating is actually natural and may be relatively effective when it is engineered correctly.
Other useful sorts of solar technology heat are:
Thermal mass which often absorbs and keeps in the heat. This draws in and additionally retains heat while the sun is shining and also disperse the heat the moment the sunlight goes down.
Trombe Wall regarded as a natural solar heating and ventilation system that utilizes air channels to maintain heat coming from a glass item and a thermal mass which is pointed to the sun’s rays. The sunrays gets trapped and saved inside of this wall and it is then distributed by means of vents and the top and the bottom part in the wall. The particular wall radiates heat.
Transpired collector is yet another wall that is used pointing toward the sunshine. The actual retaining wall takes up the sun light and therefore warms the air whenever it enters into the ventilation mechanism.
Solar Cooling is a great technique to freshen a house. This soaks up the solar heat and cools it bringing in ice by using a solar powered steam engine this is installed on a chilling unit.
Solar Chimney yet another solar air-flow process. It is constructed of a thermal mass that is hollow inside. The chimney shall warm the air in the chimney as well as inducing the heat to go up. The increase makes it possible for the air circulation and also vent accordingly.
There are numerous methods that we can produce heating and cooling to the rooms, organizations, structures or some other structures which need to get warmed up. The ideas in the above list are actually with the use of all natural materials designed to lead to the longer term assuming you have heat while using sun rather than an artificial heating source that can be manufactured by non-renewable sources. We all desire heat whatever. We need to look for out what ways we could conserve heat from the time of day to maintain the house warmer during the nighttime. Not only do you use it with respect to heating but additionally cooling too.
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Clean Energy Sources Boost Property Values
Within places where smog is elevated, research has discovered people are sicker. When that condition is combined with more expensive bills as well as lower home values, tense living situations are bound to occur. Modifications must be incorporated to end this devastating destructive cycle. An ideal change a person might explore is green energy strategies whether or not an individual believes in the greenhouse effect.
Using clean energy sources will help the air people breathe. Electric is mostly created with fossil fuels within the United States which these plants emit excess pollutants. Renewable energy products do not emit damaging toxins. Hence, people’s health may be better utilizing renewable energy sources.
Clean resources of energy consist of solar panels, windmills as well as magnetic energy motors. The majority of people are familiar with solar panels as well as windmills. However, magnetic energy motors have become more popular during recent years.
A great point about clean energy is they raise home prices. To start with, individuals will need to realize household projects are broken down in two categories. Those categories include minor maintenance projects or major renovations. Essential upkeep tasks include tightening screws, replacing filters and oiling squeaky doors. Minor repairs will not boost house values. Significant improvements consist of constructing solar power systems, wind turbines as well as magnetic generators. Significant upgrades increase home prices.
Another favorable thing about renewable sources of energy is they decrease electric bills. Yearly people everywhere are noticing rising electric expenses using common resources for electric. Whenever people install solar power systems, windmills or else magnet energy generators, those devices make electric so that an individual does not need to depend on the large electricity corporations. If an adequate sized structure is built a person can totally do away with utility expenses.
Possibly the most challenging thing is picking which green energy strategy to install. Obviously, solar power systems need a lot of sun. A lot of wind is required to operate a wind turbine. Those methods will be effective when an individual lives within a sunny or breezy location. But, once the breeze quits or when night arrives, these devices no longer produce electricity. Magnetic energy motors use magnets to furnish electric. Thus, those generators could be utilized whenever.
Building solar power systems, wind turbines or perhaps magnetic energy motors could be the greatest chance to enhance everyone’s well-being long term. Furthermore, an individual can enjoy higher house values and reduced electric expenses. Install one or several green energy products and then discover how great green energy resources are to utilize.
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