Solar Energy - The Facts

I want to discuss solar energy and facts about this alternative energy source. As the need for more energy continues to be in demand, we must look to our sun to meet our energy needs. Solar can be used to heat our water or make electricity. Let us look at the facts.

• Solar energy is a free energy- Energy from the sun which is out in space 93,000,000 miles away from earth, gives us light during the day and can provide even more. What makes this such a valuable resource? No one can charge us for this energy; at least yet, and it is an alternative resource available for our use.
• Clean source of energy-When we think about our environment, we must think of solar, a clean energy with no gaseous emissions, or waste by-products.
• Some uses of solar energy-It can be used to generate electricity for our homes, heat water, dry our clothes, heat swimming pools, power roadway signs, power cars, small appliances, and even be used to cook food.
• It only works during the daytime-One of the major cons of solar energy is that it does not work well on cloudy days or at night. However, if used for electricity, we use less electrical power at night and thus battery back-up systems could be utilized.
• The effects on humans-We all know if we are not protected from the sun during the day that we will get sun burn which can be detrimental to our health. That is why we have developed sun blocking creams to protect our skin from the sun's rays. We also know that sun reflects off of the water even causing more precautions to be taken.
• Solar energy is calculated in kilowatt hours-1000 watts or 1 kilowatt is equal to one 100 watt light bulb for ten hours. If you are wondering how many kilowatts would be needed to power a city of 200,000 people, then a plant with the capacity of 100 MWatt would be needed. 100 megawatt equals 100 million watts!
• 50% of solar energy is used to heat water-With 30% of all energy cost going towards heating water, we have found that solar becomes a very efficient way to heat water. Today many hot water systems use solar energy to heat the water either with a passive or active system. A passive system that is one that uses existing structure to collect heat during the day and at night slowly releases it. An active solar water system uses a collector box plus pumps to circulate the water.

Solar energy is truly an interesting field of study with many job opportunities available for both engineers and installers working together to build a better alternative energy source for our future energy needs.

Jerry Standefer is owner and author of several alternative energy websites. His websites teach you how to build your own wind turbine, build your own solar panels, and build a solar hot water heater. The main website Earth Power Energy Systems has received many reviews from other energy websites. Sign up at the website for a free energy report entitled "Why Build Your Own Wind and Solar System" Get your copy today! Follow Jerry on Facebook Fan Page and join in on the discussions about alternative energy.