Solar Energy – A green Energy Source
Solar energy is a green energy source as it does not harm the environment and is renewable. We have used the benefits of this energy for years in that homes and buildings have been designed to take advantage of the sun’s rays. This is called passive use of solar energy. There are of course a number of active uses of this energy that we should be using much more widely especially as it is the most abundant source we have.
The two most active uses of solar energy that are becoming established, are solar panels to generate electricity and solar panels to heat water. The solar panel to generate electricity use photovoltaic cells to convert energy from the sun into direct current (DC) electricity. A converter is then used to change the direct current into alternating current (AC). Batteries are used for storage together with a controller to ensure that the batteries are not over or undercharged.
Solar panels to heat water come in two forms, evacuated tubes and flat plate collectors. These panels use the sun‘s rays to heat the water that is stored in your hot water cylinder. This means that you can have hot water throughout the summer months without using your boiler as long as the sun shines. When it is dull you can use the immersion heater in your cylinder. It is possible so save up to a third on your electricity bill and that means that there will be less pollution.
Many simple applications of solar energy have been around for years, such as calculators, light for our gardens, battery charging, and even experimental cars have been powered by the sun’s rays. Satellites have been sent into space that are powered by solar panels. Yet despite the growing concern throughout the globe about pollution to the environment, Governments have in most cases been slow to act.
Some of the Scandinavian countries of Europe have used wind turbines for many years, but it is only in recent months that the UK with 40% of the European wind resource have issued licences for large scale offshore wind farms. Solar projects are now advanced in countries like Spain, France, Japan, Germany and South Korea. The United States and the UK have been slow to adopt the green source of solar energy. There are grants available for installation of solar panels, but when it is considered that in the UK for instance some 25% of pollution comes from homes.
There is much that can still be done. Governments should encourage the widespread use of green energy and particularly solar by house holders. Prices of installations are still fairly high, but at least now anybody can now build their own solar panels at home. Not only will they be reducing their carbon footprints by doing so, but also saving themselves money. Power bills are said to be on the increase again and with up to 80% savings available when using solar panels to generate electricity and up to a third when employing solar panels to heat water, it is something that we should all consider.
Learn how to build your own Solar panels
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