Solar Power - The Basics

Solar Power - The Basics

Solar power is an energy source which is renewable, totally free of charge, non-polluting and always available. Experts have been experimenting for a long time how to make the best and most efficient use of it. Here are some facts about how solar power is being used at the moment.

Solar power is very versatile. By using photo voltaic cells it can be converted into electricity. It can be used directly to heat water. When it is used this way it is known as 'passive solar' using it to convert to electricity is known as 'active solar'. Solar energy is received in a weak form which does make it somewhat limiting. If we are to use it effectively then we have to discover a way of harnessing the power and concentrating it.

People have used solar power in passive systems for hundreds, even thousands, of years, for example in lighting fires, heating water, drying wood, and so on. Solar water heaters are now in use in many places where sunlight is available for most days in the year, and there are also solar power plants in existence, which concentrate the sun's energy and generate large amounts of electricity. This kind of power plant is especially useful and economical in out of the way places where it is difficult to get conventional electricity. Solar power is even put to use in outer space, by satellites and space craft.

Recently, much interested has been generated in the idea of using solar power as a means to run power motor vehicles. This is still very much at an experimental stage. The huge amount of power required by a car's engine would mean using very large solar panels. This is impractical due to the size and fragility of the panels. There is also the problem that when the sun is not shining, they wouldn't run for very long. In this instance, we are along way from using solar power to run our cars.

Solar power demand is on the up but right now the costs prevent it from being a widely used energy means. The technology is available but the cost of converting the solar power into energy is too high. Fuel costs are also rising however which means that solar power will be a viable alternative if this continues. Present day fuels also have an environmental impact and people are becoming more aware of this and want to find environmentally friendly alternatives using clean energy. Manufacturers will find it more feasible to produce solar powered devices because of this rising demand.