Solar power
Solar power refers to energy harnessed from the sun and converted to heat or electricity for human use.
As of today, the major part of the energy available to mankind derives from the burning of fossil fuels: coal, oil and natural gas. However, because of increased prices, concern over dwindling fossil fuel resources, and protecting the environment from pollution and the consequences of global warming, there has been renewed interest in “alternate energy” sources in the new millennium. Solar power is one of the most promising alternate sources of energy, because it is renewable, in-exhaustible and available in huge quantities.
How it works
There are many different technologies used to extract energy from sunlight.
- Photoelectric cells convert sunlight into electricity.
- Solar panels heat water directly.
- Stirling engines or steam turbines generate mechanical work from temperature differences. Using parabolic mirrors, temperatures and efficiencies can be increased.
- Biofuel is essentially sunlight converted into chemical energy with the help of plants' photosynthesis. Like wind and water derived power, this is indirect solar power and not normally referred to as such.
Considerations in using residential solar power
The 12 volt electricity is stored in large batteries. An inverter converts the stored electricity from 12 volt to 240 volts for household use.
Because solar panels are generally large, rectangular pieces of dull glass, they are not aesthetically pleasing. Homes are positioned to take advantage of sunlight streaming in windows; solar panels must be placed in a similar alignment. A row of nondescript glass panes will interfere with the first impression of the house, its façade and the landscape. This is dependent on architectural design to some extent, as the shape and contours of the panels can often be incorporated into avant-guard house styles, but will generally detract from neo-classical ones.