What exactly is solar energy ?

Solar energy is radiant energy which is produced by the sun. Each day the sun radiates, or sends out, a huge quantity of energy. The sun radiates more energy in a second than people have used since the beginning of time!

The energy of the Sun comes from within the sun itself. Like other stars, the sun is known as a big ball of gases––mostly hydrogen and helium atoms.

The hydrogen atoms in the sun’s core combine to create helium and generate energy in a process called nuclear fusion.

During nuclear fusion, the sun’s extremely high pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to come apart and their nuclei (the central cores of the atoms) to fuse or combine. Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to become one helium atom. However the helium atom contains less mass compared to four hydrogen atoms that fused. Some matter is lost during nuclear fusion. The lost matter is emitted into space as radiant energy.

It takes countless years for the energy in the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and then just a little over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to earth. The solar energy travels to the earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, the speed of sunshine.

Only a small percentage of the energy radiated by the sun into space strikes the earth, one part in two billion. Yet this amount of energy is enormous.

Where does all this energy go ?

About 15 percent of the sun’s energy that hits our planet is reflected back to space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water, which, lifted in to the atmosphere, produces rainfall. Solar power is also absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans. The remaining could be used to supply our energy needs.

Who invented solar technology ?

Folks have harnessed solar power for hundreds of years. Since the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they'd cause wood to catch fire. Over 100 years ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to produce steam to drive a steam engine. In the beginning of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar energy in earnest. One important development was a remarkably efficient solar boiler invented by Charles Greeley Abbott, an American astrophysicist, in 1936.

People and world governments remained largely indifferent to the possibilities of solar energy prior to the oil shortages of the1970s. Today, people use solar technology to heat buildings and water and to generate electricity.

How we use solar energy today ?

Solar power is used in a number of different ways, of course. There are two standard forms of solar energy:

* Solar thermal energy collects the sun's warmth through one of two means: in water or in an anti-freeze (glycol) mixture.

* Solar photovoltaic energy converts the sun's radiation to usable electricity.

Let us discuss the five most practical and popular methods solar energy is employed:

1. Small portable solar photovoltaic systems. We see these used everywhere, from calculators to solar garden products. Portable units can be utilised for everything from RV appliances while single panel systems can be used traffic signs and remote monitoring stations.

2. Solar pool heating. Running water in direct circulation systems via a solar collector is an extremely practical way to heat water for your pool or hot tub.

3. Thermal glycol energy to heat water. In this method (indirect circulation), glycol is heated by sunshine and the heat is then transferred to water in a hot water tank. This method of collecting the sun's energy is much more practical now than in the past.

4. Integrating solar photovoltaic energy into your home or business power. In numerous parts of the world, solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible method to supplement the power of your home. An increasingly popular and practical way of integrating solar energy into the power of your home or business is through the use of building integrated solar photovoltaics.

5. Large independent photovoltaic systems. For those who have enough sun power at your site, you could possibly go off grid. It's also possible to integrate or hybridize your solar energy system with wind power or other forms of sustainable energy to stay 'off the grid.'

How do Photovoltaic panels work ?

Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to produce photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electrical energy. The energy created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the power into basic voltage and AC electric power.

Solar cells are prepared with particular materials called semiconductors like silicon, which is presently the most generally used. When light hits the Photovoltaic cell, a specific share of it is absorbed inside the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is given to the semiconductor.

The power unfastens the electrons, permitting them to run freely. Solar cells also have more than one electric fields that act to compel electrons unfastened by light absorption to flow in a specific direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the -Photovoltaic cell, the current can be drawn to use it externally.

Do you know the benefits and drawbacks of solar energy ?

Solar Pro:

- Heating our homes with oil or propane or using electricity from power plants running with oil and coal is a cause of global warming and climate disruption. Solar energy is clean and environmentally-friendly.

- Solar hot-water heaters require little maintenance, and their initial investment may be recovered in just a relatively small amount of time.

- Solar hot-water heaters can work in almost any climate, even just in very cold ones. Simply choose the best system for your climate: drainback, thermosyphon, batch-ICS, etc.

- Maintenance costs of solar powered systems are minimal and also the warranties large.

- Financial incentives can reduce the cost of the first investment in solar technologies.

Solar Cons:

- The initial investment in solar hot-water heaters or in PV electric systems is higher than that required by conventional electric and gas heating systems.

- The payback period of solar PV electric systems can be high (dependent on size of system), as well as those of solar space heating or solar cooling (solar domestic hot-water heating payback is short or relatively short).

- Solar hot-water heaters do not heat water in the central heating system (domestic radiators).

- Some hvac (solar space heating and the solar cooling systems) are very expensive, and rather untested technologies.

- The efficiency of solar powered systems is rather determined by sunlight resources. The distance from the equator has significant impact on the amount of solar energy reaching your solar panel. The closer you are to the equator, the more electricity your solar panels generate.

Who am I ? - Barbara Young writes on http://www.12voltsolarpanels.net/ her personal hobby site. Her work is devoted to helping people save energy using solar powered energy to eliminate CO2 emissions and energy dependency.

URBAN ENERGY

Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."

Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.

Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/ Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com About the Author: Exploring clean energy sources for cars is a great way of adapting to increasing fuel costs and taking active steps in resolving environmental concerns. Read more at my blog by following the link.

Bio-diesel At Home

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BIODIESEL

Caution: Your car must already run on diesel fuel. You will not have to install any particular converter to your vehicle,because biodiesel is adjustable to any diesel-run vehicle. This E-book is equipped with accurate information and a step-by- step guide on how to carefully and successfully make your own biodiesel -- from scratch! Here are just some of the things you will uncover:

You don't need a PH degree in chemistry to make biodiesel! - The process is very simple and easy to follow. This E- book will guide you in a concise and diligent manner to ensure you create your homemade biodiesel, CORRECTLY and SUCCESSFULLY!

You don't have to install any particular converter to your vehicle! - Biodiesel is adjustable to any diesel-run vehicle. So there is not need for any modification. Through this E-book, you will learn what are the necessary tools and ingredients (that prices at minimal cost) needed!

People who don't know chemistry has easily made and used their own Biodiesel--- SUCCESSFULLY! - Which means YOU can do it too, but only with the right guidance from this E-book and a little patience to overcome this learning curve.

It only requires tools like basic kitchen utensils and natural ingredients like cooking oil! - You'll be amaze that you don't need large machines and processors lying around the house or basement. Read this E-book to find out how you can create your homemade biodiesel without operating big and complicated machines!

The ingredients are easily obtainable! - You will discover where you can get your Biodiesel ingredients for FREE!

It is safely guaranteed and you will not harm yourself in the process of creating your own Biodiesel! - All you need is a guide book to help you understand well enough on what to do!

Find out today HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BIODIESEL

Gas2Electricity

Many everyday people want to convert their gas guzzling car into an efficient electric car. However, most people don’t have the $3,000 it costs to hire a mechanic to do the work for them! So, a couple of mechanics got together to solve this problem for everyone! They wrote a detailed, easy to use instruction manual that will show even the newest of car newbies how to do an electric car conversion! Here are just some of the Benefits of Gas2Electricity: The Newest Electric Car Design.They propose that their design will get the most Miles Per Charge and Will Charge Overnight! The Easiest Do It Yourself Guide - You Can Convert a Car to electric in a few Afternoons! You Do NOT Need to know much about cars to perform a conversion and everything is Step-By-Step. Gas2Electricity.Com might be the Cheapest Guide. You are shown how to get all the parts needed to convert your car to electric for less then $280.00 Dollars! Thoroughly Researched - This Guide Has Been Tested In Many Cars to Save You Money and Time. Paying an Auto-shop to convert your car to electric will cost at least 3,000 dollars. These mechanics are offering you the same guide they use for 1/60th the price. Start converting your car tomorrow by getting the Gas2Electricity guide

Gas 4 Free

Discover How To Convert Your Car or Truck To USE Water And Gasoline, To Double, Even Triple Your Mileage This is the one you have to see to believe A car that uses ordinary water as fuel? NO it is not science fiction, it is NOT waiting to be rolled off the assembly line and it does NOT cost thousands of dollars. Do-It-Yourself system that is affordable and SIMPLE to install, anyone can do it. With Gas4Free, just by using WATER with Your gasoline or diesel engine you can double, even triple your mileage. Water packs incredible power, boosting performance while cleaning your engine and preventing smog by significantly reducing emissions. Gas4Free comes in 2 beautifully designed E-books, with a 100% money back guarantee. Book 1 Contains:

How To Assemble ALL parts using off the self parts at home

How To Install the entire systems without Engine Modification Maintenance and Troubleshooting

...and Much More! Book 2 Contains:

How To Fine Tune the System For Maximum Fuel Economy

How To Ensure Your Saving Tons Of Money with Secret Gas Saving Techniques

...and Much More! You could do all of this research yourself but only if you are prepared to surf and sift through mountains of information about the process. they have gone to the trouble of finding out exactly what does work and does not work when it comes to install water/hydrogen systems in modern cars and trucks. you do not have to be an auto mechanic to install this system. They teach you how to build the simplest yet most efficient working model using simple home tools and the most basic of skills. You are provide with hundreds of pages of photographs from real life installations of the systems into all kinds of different cars. This conversion works on 99% of vehicles including trucks, vans, gas or diesel powered cars, SUV's and much more! You should have no problem at all getting this technology to work on your vehicle! Take a serious look at HHO technology with Gas 4 Free

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