Solar Energy Equipment and Products

The majority of countries in our world rely on coal, oil, and natural gas to provide energy. These sources of fuel are known as fossil fuels because they come from ancient carbon buried in the ground. The carbon comes from decomposing life forms hence the name fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels will run out. Humans are using them faster than the earth creates them; therefore it’s not a renewable source of energy. Besides a pending shortage of fossil fuels that will lead to a dramatic increase in price- oil has tripled in price since 1996 (making them too costly for most), fossil fuels cause air pollution, water pollution, and soil corruption. The emission of carbon into the atmosphere is causing global warming.

Global warming is an unnatural increase of the earth’s temperature from the build-up of greenhouse gases. This increase will cause polar ice caps to melt, alter weather patterns, and cause the extinction of hundreds of species of animals. During the last hundred and fifty years the atmospheric levels of carbon have risen by thirty one percent and the levels of methane by one hundred and fifty one percent.

Many countries around the world are now realizing that the human race cannot continue on in this manner or it will surely lead to the destruction of the planet. Reducing the addiction to fossil fuels and finding other sources of renewable energy are our only options.

Renewable sources of energy include the sun, wind, hydropower, biomass, and hydrogen. Hydrogen is one of the most common elements in our universe but technology has a long way to go by learning to separate it from the other elements before we can harness the power of hydrogen.

Biomass energy sources involve burning renewable sources of fuel such as trees. Biomass also references harnessing the natural output of methane emitted by decomposing matter- using methane produced from decomposing trash at a landfill to run power plants is an example of biomass energy.

Hydropower harnesses the power of flowing water. Water going downstream can generate powerful forces that can turn turbines and generate electricity. Water is renewable source of energy on the planet as it moves from one form to another (from the vapor in clouds to rain to river and oceans and then evaporated back into vapor form.)

Wind power is the second most viable option for renewable energy. Wind is created when hot air causes changes in atmospheric pressure and cold air rushes to replace it.  Wind has been used to propel sail boats and run windmills for centuries, but just now are we learning to use home wind turbines to create electricity. The only drawback to wind is that it can sometimes be unpredictable.

Solar power is the best and number one source of renewable energy. The sun generates the energy that gives life to every living creature. The sun creates wind and makes plants grow. Those plants are eaten by animals and we in turn eat those animals and plants for our personal energy.

Harnessing solar power is done with the use of photovoltaic cells on solar panels. They are made either from the traditional polysilicon material or from new thin film technology. These cells collect the sunlight and convert it to electricity that can be stored or used to power thousands of homes and businesses.

Photovoltaic cell production has doubled every two years, making solar power the world’s fastest growing energy source.  In 2004 a shortage in polysilicon emerged however, driving thin film technology. Thin film solar panels use other materials to collect the sunlight like copper and selenium. This technology has even be applied to paint and spray on formulas making it extra versatile and more flexible than traditional solar cells.

One of the major issues with solar power was making it cost effective enough to give coal a run for its money. In 1976 solar power cells cost about one hundred dollars a watt, but with today’s advances in thin film technology by 2010 the cost of thin film photovoltaic cells will be an affordable one dollar per watt- creating a viable competitive market with coal power.

With the advances in solar power and solar technologies residential solar power will soon be available to most homes. Solar water heaters will provide homes with free hot water after initial investments.  And overall carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced- by ten to twelve tons annually per household.

 

Solar Energy Equipment | Products | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

©