Why Don’t We See Solar Energy Systems On Everybody’s Roof?
From time immemorial the sun has been considered a source of energy, spiritual and otherwise. The sun’s significance to us has once again come into focus, yet, despite the wealth of energy from the sun available to us, no more than approximately 10% of that existing energy is presently being put to use by mankind. One of the problems preventing increased use of solar energy is the lack of awareness of not only how to take advantage of it, but also the possibilities it represents as a source of sustainable power. We will attempt to deal with those issues here.
From the instant the Earth began, the sun has been an ever-present in the formation and development of life and nature here on the planet. Many individuals may not be aware of this, but solar energy in point of fact is the source of many natural phenomena, such as waves and wind. Energy from the sun has been used right through the centuries to provide warmth, food and power, but utilizing that energy correctly and efficiently has been a key challenge and one that we are slowly but surely coming to terms with.
The sun produces an almost boundless amount of energy. This energy has to be utilized by technology in order to be converted into something that is usable by man. There are two types of solar technology that can be used to accomplish this, one referred to as passive, the other active. How we differentiate between the two depends on how the energy from the sun is harnessed and then used. Active solar technologies catch solar energy and then perform some type of action to enhance the collection, storage, or distribution of that energy. The utilization of solar (photovoltaic) panels is a reasonably well-known instance of active solar technology. Passive solar technologies simply trap solar energy – a greenhouse is a good example of passive solar technology.
We are all acquainted with the phrase “solar panel”; solar panels convert the energy from the sun into actual electrical current via what is known as the photovoltaic effect. The energy produced by solar panels can subsequently be used to power small appliances, a whole house or business, and, perhaps, eventually, entire cities. We have the technology – applying it and putting it to everyday use is a different matter.
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The main concerns most people have as far as making a start using solar energy are, generally in this order, expense and the availability of solar energy at night.
The first concern, expense, is a very valid concern due to the preliminary cost of installing a solar energy system. However, those expenses can be offset by considerable rebates presently obtainable from both the Federal government and many State governments, of which many people are ignorant when they initially begin checking out the prospect of using solar energy. Also, the cost of solar equipment is gradually being reduced as the technology becomes increasingly sophisticated. Additional discussion of expense is beyond the range of this document, but it is not the show-stopper most people believe it is.
The second, availability of solar energy, can be taken care of by either the use of a battery to collect surplus energy or by using the surplus energy produced during the day and kept on your utility’s grid. Again, a legitimate point, but one that can be taken care of fairly simply.
Nowadays, with the increasing costs of electricity, unstable oil prices, and the swiftly decreasing availability of fossil fuels generally, individuals are becoming increasingly interested in investigating alternative sources of energy, and solar energy particularly. As mentioned above, solar technology equipment is becoming cheaper and cheaper to make, so the preliminary expense is becoming increasingly reasonable. But, probably most importantly, the long-term savings for both the consumer and the ecosystem can and will be life-changing when solar energy is broadly adopted.
By: Terry Tyke
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Ray Boreham is the owner of
Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…
Entech Solar to Host Third Quarter Conference Call on November 9, 2009
About Entech Solar Entech Solar, Inc. is a leading developer of renewable energy technologies for the commercial, industrial and utility markets. … Read More…
Sunny delight at girls' school
SUNSHINE may be in short supply, but that has not stopped pupils from harnessing solar energy to power their school. New solar panels worth £20000 have been … Read More…
China's "green drive" progressive, with more efforts needed
In solar power, China has the world's largest solar heat concentration surface for water heating. It ranks top in the nuclear power capacity under … Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.
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Sam Nichols started to generate his own solar power for his home in Montana back in 2001. He was given some blueprints from a friend that didn't understand it. Sam used this as his basis for creating and expanding on ways to create your own solar power. 
