Solar Energy

Introduction

Solar energy may be regarded as energy from the sun. The radiations from the sun can be transformed and used as a renewable source of energy. Solar collection is the process of converting these radiations emitted from the sun to the earth into usable form of energy such as heat. In the ancient times, people would use radiations from the sun to fire wood. The steam engine is also the result of solar collection. In the year 1936, Charles Greeley Abbott made the most remarkable development in the field of solar energy by developing an efficient solar boiler. The shortage of oil in the 1970s era forced governments to take an interest in considering various possible solutions of solar energy.

Today's world is facing numerous environmental pollution issues. Moreover, the conventional resources of energy have dwindled over time (The NEED Project, p. 22). This has raised increasing concern among developed and developing countries to shift to alternative or renewable sources of energy. Hence, solar energy is one of the best options capitalized by many countries around the globe to address the issue. Germany is the market leader when it comes to deployment of solar energy and has come up with world class projects.

Solar energy is also an inexpensive solution for developing countries and provides economic advantages for the developed countries. Radiations from the sun are free to capture. It does not cause any pollution such as air or water pollution. As of today, solar energy is the most viable solution to the energy crisis faced by the world today. Major uses of solar energy include but are not limited to heat, electricity and light. In US, the building architecture and infrastructure today has to have solar energy usage for heating building and water for electricity.

Meaning of renewable energy

Renewable sources of energy mean a source of energy that will not diminish. It is energy from the natural resources. For instance, the radiation from the sun will never diminish and is constant. Similarly, water, biomass and air are also examples of renewable energy.

Environmental benefits of Solar Energy

The environmental benefits of solar energy are much more than using fossil fuels and nuclear as a form of energy. The benefits accrued by countries like Germany are only a small percentage of the true potential of solar energy. The first benefit to understand is that it is very economic. About 30 to 50 percent of American energy is made from solar energy. Hence, consumers and businesses in America can afford a much cheaper power supply. Commitment to renewable sources of energy can raise the percentage further. Cooling, electricity fuel, lighting, and heating are only a few benefits that solar energy has to offer. Scientists are engaged in finding new ways of using this freely accessible resource.

Fossil and nuclear fuels produce much more pollutants when compared with solar energy. Solar energy addresses the issue of carbon dioxide emitted from using fossil fuels used for transportation, heating, lighting, cooling ...