Since the beginning of time and the evolution of humanity, the sun has played an important role. People have worshiped the sun as the sun god, Ra. It has played a role in Greek Mythology and a number of religious beliefs. As far back as the time of the Aztecs and the Incas, to the more modern times of native Americans, the sun has played a part in their religious beliefs. Such as been the background of solar energy.
The sun projects light and heat on our planet Earth. Its closeness is dramatic when seen in the daytime when all other stars can only be observed at night. This alone attests to its power of energy. Outdoor drying of our clothing is one insignificant example of the suns potential as an energy source. Plant life has depended on the suns rays for thousands of years in the production of food. The food that is not eaten becomes decayed and forms fossil fuel that we used in the form of oil, gas, and coal. Even nuclear energy can be traced to the power of sunlight. A nova, which is an exploded star, emits uranium atoms that are necessary in the production of nuclear energy.
The ways in which the suns energy can be used are limitless. As early as the 1890′s people in the United States using solar energy for heating hot water. It was a cleaner and cheaper alternative to wood and coal. The warmer and more sunny states were the first to make use of the suns energy for this purpose. Solar water heating panels were being put to use in homes more and more and by 1920 thousands of the panels were being sold. As more abundant supplies of gas and oil were discovered, the prices of these commodities were reduced and solar panels took a back seat to these fossil fuels. In modern times, solar energy is again being put to use as supplies of natural fuels are being used up.
Solar energy is now being used in the production of electricity. Travel to the Mojave Desert in California, would bring one to see many rows of solar mirrors. Referred to as parabolic troughs, these mirrors are curved to collect the suns energy in a way that will take water to the boiling point. The steam produced from the boiling water then powers the turbines that give off electricity. Some power plants continue to experiment with ways to produce electricity more efficiently.
A way has also been discovered to turn solar energy directly into electricity. This is accomplished by the use of photovoltaic cells. When struck by the sun, the PV’s or solar cells, cause the loosening of electrons. The loosened electrons move to the front of the panel creating an imbalance within the front and back surfaces. Acting as a connector, these surfaces allow the flow of electricity from positive to negative. Special devices located on these panels allow for the tracking of the suns rays and sunlight can be collected for longer periods.
This direct form of energy, from solar cell to electricity, is immediately available for use. In our homes, it can tun on our lights and run our appliances. Businesses can even store electricity in batteries for use in illuminating billboards during hours of darkness. Roadside emergency cell phones can also be ran with an energy stored battery.
The electric automobile is now within the range of use. The use of PV cells located in these cars will allow for sunlight collection that is directly transferred in to electricity that will power the motors of these autos. Smog filled cities due to car and factory emissions could easily become a blight of the past. Solar power collection no longer has to be located miles from the earths surface. Advances will continue to be made as technology is only on the surface of what sun produced energy can do.
The power of the wind has worked for mankind for many centuries. Harnessing the power of wind is now being used for the purpose of making electricity. Wind Power Maintenance The power of the wind has worked for mankind for many centuries.
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