Life on earth is fueled by the light and heat from the sun. Approximately, 3850 Zettajoules (ZJ) per year is the total amount of solar energy available to the earth. This energy then travels through space to the earth. The propagation occurs in a way similar to that of radio waves, but the frequency is considerably higher. Heat and light are the primary forms of solar energy.Some of this energy is absorbed as it comes thru the atmosphere. Solar energy has many advantages over conventional energy. The energy from the sun is free the only expense is from recovering the energy. Recently solar photovoltaic cell technology is on the rise.

You will recover the cost of a solar power system faster than you will recover the expense of conventional power. The recovering units don't have to be connected to natural gas or power grids, they stand alone. Solar enery is unlimited, and it creates no pollution that enters the ground or the air. There are several ways to recover solar energy: Focusing collectors: This has a movable mirror, known as heliostats, is pointed to the sun and can provide a temperature around 4000 degrees C. This is the temperature used for solar furnaces. These furnaces don't emit any form of pollution, and are now widely used in research labs and industrial facilities.

The heliostats can focus the energy to a boiler that turns water into steam. To generate solar electricity for home use, focusing collectors can be used.

Flat plate collectors: These solar power panels can be used in schools and homes to provide heat using water that is heated in pipes. They cannot provide as much heat as the focusing collectors because they are smaller. Solar distillation: Solar distillation is about the same as flat plate collectors but provides distilled water instead of heat.

Water from the ocean is placed in containers of the roof of a house. The sun's rays heat the water, which begins to evaporate. The vapor condenses on a surface, and is then distilled to produce pure water. Solar electricity: By using focusing collectors and Photovoltaic cells, made of thin pieces of semiconductors, convert radiation from the sun into electricity. Since it doesn't cost anything and doesn't harm the environment, solar energy is not impacted by the supply and demand for fuel. It would provide us with better health.It is natural and pure. If we all pitch in and work as a team, there are several options we could use to help conserve both our natural and renewable resources.

Going with solar energy is motivational to others who want to make a difference. Solar energy is cheaper than heat, electricity and gas. Even with the low up front cost of gas and electricity, you will end up paying more in the long run. With solar power you may have an initial investment to turning your home into solar power but after that you have no reason to pay for it any further, unless you use electric or gas for a back up heating source. solar energy is evergreen source which is sure not to vanish at least until the extinction of human beings on earth

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