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Alternative Energy: Solar Power
Have you heard of frying an egg on the sidewalk? That is possible with the sun’s energy. It provides a source of heat for swimming pools, lakes, rivers, oceans and ponds. People have hung their laundry out to dry for thousands of years. How is it that we cannot harness this natural source of energy and use it efficiently?
It may just be the next best source of power. The energy is heat which strikes the earth. It is and has been a natural form of heat for millions of years. It will not pollute the environment, able to be renewed and concentrated. Scientists are working on making it a viable energy source so that it can be implemented world wide.
Currently, it is used across the world. The sun is a natural heat source so it can be used to heat and control the temperature without the need to convert it. If it is being used to make electricity, than it needs to be changed or converted. There are a variety of different types of solar energy.
Across the country and the world people are using solar panels to heat their houses. Scientists have experimented with using solar energy to power autos, but, the tests have not been successful. The technology is not advanced enough so that they can be run fuel efficiently. We have a long way to go before, we will see solar powered cars. But, according to some researchers, it may be just around the corner.
A passive use of solar power captures, changes and distributes sun power so that it can be used to heat and ventilate. A trombe wall is a passive use of solar power. It uses solar heat and a system comprised of a channel of air which is between a window and a wall. The sun heats the space which circulates through the vents and stores the heat in a mass. At night, the stored heat is used.
Solar power is very dense which means it is a very efficient use of power. Solar facilities can be set up world wide and they will need very little maintenance or upkeep. The operating costs are low after the initial set up.
Australia spent over $400 million on a solar powered station. It is generating clean electricity to over 40,000 homes in the town of Victoria. It is very safe for the environment because there are no gas emissions.
Have you heard of frying an egg on the sidewalk? That is possible with the sun’s energy. It provides a source of heat for swimming pools, lakes, rivers, oceans and ponds. People have hung their laundry out to dry for thousands of years. How is it that we cannot harness this natural source of energy and use it efficiently?
