The Importance of Solar Power Essay

The Sun’s energy out powers all of the energy sources made on Earth. Even though only a fraction of the Sun’s energy makes it to Earth, it is still ten-thousand more times powerful than the energy sources on Earth. However, we are unable to harness such energy because of the many breaches we have to past through to achieve solar energy. As well, solar energy lacks certain aspects causing fossil fuels to be valued more. Although, by creating engineering advancements to improve the efficiency, expenditure, and availability of solar energy, the problem of solar energy usage will be resolved.

In this modern fast paced world that we live in, there are many issues that are looked over, energy is one of these. As a world, we are dependant on dwindling fossil fuel supplies and take for granted electricity, oil, and gas. There are four completely renewable sources of energy around us that should be used and developed, they are: wind, growing plants, flowing water, and the sun. These sources of energy are the ones we should be tapping, because they are reliable and renewable. Harnessing the suns energy is the most certain and ultimate energy source. Looking at a brief history and some facts about solar energy, a glimpse of the future can be seen, a future not dependant on

Solar energy is the energy that the sun shines onto Earth. There are two types of solar energy, photovoltaic and thermal (Beltran). Solar panels are used to acquire the sunlight which then the photovoltaic cells convert into electricity. Solar concentrators collects the sun’s heat to make solar thermal energy which is used for heating. Both are used for different purposes, but they all originate from the sun and are all solar energy.

The sun is a massive burning ball of hydrogen that outputs gigantic quantities of energy every second. Sunlight is an excellent energy source and the future of using solar power is very exciting. The Sun's energy can be used to heat and cool buildings, generate electricity, operate communication, and GPS systems and even power solar cars. The sun’s energy is clean and solar panels used to harness the energy are low maintenance.

The increase in oil prices, the depletion of fossil fuel, and increase in consumption of energy has led to finding an alternate source of electricity generation through sustainable energy resources. The sun was humankind's first source of power, and with a little effort to make it more efficient, it may be the only source of energy we may need for the future. Among various sustainable sources, solar energy is the fastest growing,

There are two main forms of solar power: The use of photovoltaic, or PV, cells, and the use of thermal energy from the sun. Photovoltaic cells exploit the photoelectric effect, which converts the protons from the light of the sun into electrons, which can be converted into energy. Photovoltaic energy accounts for fifteen gigawatts of global energy, which is equivalent to fifteen large electric power plants. Also, the production of PV cells has increased by two thousand times over the past twenty years, and it is expected to continue to grow. Solar-thermal energy takes the thermal energy created by the sun and turns it into electricity. Although it only only produces as much energy as one large power plant, solar-thermal energy has many domestic uses. It can not only be used for electricity, but also for solar heating, which uses sunlight to heat up houses. Solar power has already proven to be a reliant source of energy, and it will only continue to improve in technology and

Solar energy has been one of the most newly introduced forms of electricity in the past half century, as solar panels become more and more frequent from year to year. One of the biggest pros about solar energy is the renewability. This means that we cannot physically run out of solar energy, as opposed to non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, coal and nuclear. According to NASA, we will have access to solar energy for as long as the sun lives (Solar Energy). Although there are emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation and installation of solar power systems, it’s almost nothing compared to most conventional energy sources considering harnessing solar energy does not cause pollution. Solar energy has also proven to reduce electricity costs as homeowners can now “sell” excess electricity during times when they produce

Recently, the price of unrenewable energy resource such as oil, coral and natural gas is increasing by time because of rare and more and more usage for individual and industries. Solar panels which use energy from Sun are considered as renewable energy through the form of solar radiation, UV. Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they

In order for one to further understand the importance of solar energy, the problem of global warming must be explained. As defined by Webster’s Dictionary, “Global Warming” is an increase in the earth’s average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect. With an average increase in atmospheric temperatures, our planet is slowly deteriorating. In order to stall or halt this global destruction, countries must turn to solar energy as a cleaner alternative to the depletion of fossil fuels. Solar energy creates a homeostasis for the climate. Due to its ability to decrease global climate changes, solar power can address global warming in several ways.

If designed correctly, buildings could capture the sun’s heat in the winter and possibly minimize it in the summer, while using the daylight year-round. The designs for these buildings are in such a way that utilizes passive solar energy-a resource that can be tapped without mechanical means to help heat, cool, or light up a building (Union of Concerned Scientists).

Bob Johnstone, author of Switching to Solar, proclaims that every day the sun produces 970 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy (Johnson 11). Volker Quaschning – writer of Understanding Renewable Energy Systems – puts this fact in perspective by explaining how the world only uses one ten-thousandth of that quantity to power itself (Quaschning 22). This means that if humanity can find a way to harness even a fraction of the sun’s energy, the world will no longer need fossil fuels or other harmful energy sources. There are, of course, many ways to translate the sun’s power into electricity, but one stands out. After analyzing the benefits and possible downfalls, it is clear that solar technology holds incredible potential. Not only is it pure

Solar energy explained straightforwardly is a method of which the suns’ rays are collected with panels, therefore harvesting solar energy and converting it into electricity.These panels work by implementing solar cells that these devices turn into energy protons. A. E. Becquerel was the first physicist to examine the “photovoltaic effect” in which light photons stimulate electrons to create an electric current. (SE) Solar panels are large black rectangular squares, which can be placed on the roof of most structures and occupy a minimal amount of space. The ramifications are reduced cost of

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. The Solar energy as a kind of natural energy, with its abundant and no polluting shows its unique advantages, has been internationally recognized as one of the most competitive energy future. The application of solar energy has a hug impact on society.

Therefore, solar energy has the capability to solve the energy shortage problems that could develop in the future. If solar energy is to become a cost effective primary energy source though, then batteries and fuels cells must become less expensive and more efficient. In order to obtain these goals research must be done to develop our current technologies. Until solar energy becomes more cost effective, cheaper means of obtaining energy will continue to be utilized even though resources may be depleting and the detrimental effects to our planet may be evident.

Solar energy and its use isn’t new to the world. It has been used by various societies beginning from 7thCentury B.C, when the sun’s heat was concentrated by glass and mirrors to light fires. Today, we have everything from solar-powered buildings to solar-powered vehicles. By and large solar technology has some environmental, economic, psychological and ethical implications for our society. Actions taken by companies and individuals to increase the use of solar technology will create good local jobs, improve our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil while doing what’s ethical and moral for our society.