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 uses for the suns energy are infinite. Humankind has long made use of its properties. The 1890\’s found people heating their hot water with solar energy. Cheaper than wood and coal, it was also a cleaner alternative. In the U. S. The states having the sunniest and warmest number of days emerged as the first ones to use solar energy for heating water. Solar panels to heat water were installed in thousands of homes by the 1920\’s. When greater amounts of oil and gas were found and prices plummeted for these fuels, many reverted back to their use. Presently, there is concern that the demand is beginning to exceed the supply and solar energy has moved again to the forefront.
Electricity is another horizon being developed with the use of solar energy. Located in California\’s Mojave Desert, one can find row upon row of solar mirrors. These mirrors are called parabolic troughs as they collect sunlight in a specific way. The suns heat becomes so intense that it can boil water and the resulting steam in turn will power a turbine to produce electricity. Other forms of power plants, some still in the experimental stage, are focusing their efforts toward greater efficiency in the production of electricity.
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.
Available for use right away, this is a direct energy form. From the sun, to the solar cell, and then to electricity, our homes can be illuminated and our appliances powered. Electrical energy stored in batteries can power roadside emergency phones and light up roadside billboards during night time hours.
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 more wind there is, the more electricity can be made. In excess of 11,000 turbines are presently being used, so one can imagine the number at each site. Global Wind Patterns The power of the wind has worked for mankind for many centuries.
