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Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy – such as heating or electricity.
Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.
But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.
- Environmental Facts about Solar Energy
All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.
Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.
Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar
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regions.
Every area of the United States of America receives enough sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.
Currently, the cheapest and most effective way of using solar energy in your home is through the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States for over a 100 years.
Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, solar heating has been in use many cold-climate northern European countries for several decades now.
Solar energy technology has advanced far enough that it can be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.
Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity – so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.
- Facts about Solar Energy Usage
Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.
Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. In fact, many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are heated with solar energy.
Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.
A few examples are: solar battery chargers, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar radios, solar-powered attic fans, solar power backpacks (to recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, and more), solar-powered garden lights … and much, much more.
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I live in Northern California where the sun shines quite a bit. The energy prices are continuing to rise and it is important to do anything you can to off-set electricity being used.
Just by adding a passive water heating system can save more money than you might think.
A simple water tank painted black (an old water heater tank for example) can be placed between the main water heater and main flow of hot water to the house, thus reducing the amount of energy the water heater consumes. Simple things can mean alot!
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I think its about time more people were using solar power as a way to generate power for their home. At a time when we are hearing more and more about our carbon footprint, we should be doing everything we can to preserve energy.
Second to this is the amount of money we can save ourselves. We are going through a world wide recession so people whould be more aware. I have saved so much money using my home solar power kit and have even started to get paid for my electricity.
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I live in Michigan. I wish it we had more sun, I would love to get panels on my home.
One of the first things to consider when contemplating installing an alternative energy system such as solar, is how to make your home more energy efficient. The more energy efficient your home is, the less you’ll need to spend on the alternative energy system. It’s estimated that for every 1 dollar you spend on home energy efficiency, you can reduce the cost of the system by 3-5 dollars. It’s a good way to save your money and energy!
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It’s just money and priority. We live in a Country that spends $800 billion a year on national defense protecting us from the bad guys but is unwilling to make a real investment in the quality of life for its citizens.
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I agree with you and I am about 80% solar at my house. Great article.
I would like to get there, but its so expensive. I could buy a new ford and have money left over! And my biggest fear is that I’ll spend the money, and in 3 years a better, cheaper system will come alone.
i’m looking to build a new house next year and i want to make it as carbon neautral as possible but the costs of all energy saving items bits is putting me off. i know it will be cheaper in the long run but i don’t know if i can afford the extra costs up-front. what would you advise? lee
Solar provides some great benefits and more people should use it to reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide. It´s the only way we can secure a future for our children.
I totally agree with Simon and Anna.
if solar power is used properly, the co2 emissions from most of the machines can be reduced greatly. yes to use Solar power the user atleast know few things as you said.
“Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.” I don’t agree with this one. Take for example the skin cancer, what’s causing it?
Great work, Anna, I luved the facts. What do you think about the carbon-intensive processes that are used to produce solar energy products? This is one thing that makes me slightly wary, however, there are no serious studies about this anyway.
I teach agriculture in the advanced technology department at a community college in Central Cal, and I really appreciate the content of your article. Solar power is clean, renewable, and readily available. All we need it a more educated public, and more cutting edge advances. Thanks for the post.
I’m sure you will see more and more investment in solar and other renewable sources of energy once it becomes more cost effective, espescially with the price of oil continuing to rise.
I am looking forward to more options and opportunities for using solar energy. I live in the southwest United States and don’t understand why there hasn’t been solar panels for energy on every home in this section of the US. I know it has taken time to develop the technology and is still a costly conversion, but in the long run it will help our environment.
Speaking of the future, some of the plans in consideration involves the use of solar panel arrays, about a kilometre in size orbiting in space beaming their power down to earth to a number of ground based antennas, where the solar energy would be converted into usable electricity.
Where I live, solar panel are a bit too expensive, but a friend of mine sells them, and has some great heating systems for the entire home that use only the solar power.
I have to say, they look like a great investment for the future. Not only you help keeping the earth greener, you also save money , because you will not have to pay any more money for gas or electricity.
The government here offers rebates for green energy things like this. Which is handy because Australia tends to get a lot of sunlight most of the year.
Solar power is great when one can afford to install it. Hopefully it will eventually replace coal, gas and other hydrocarbon based electrify. However, for someone who can’t afford to install it right away there several other things that can be done to “winterize” the house and cut back on utility bills at small cost…shut off unused rooms, cover vents in those rooms, keep computers and T.V’s off when not in use. These are just a start.
As for the expense that goes into building your own panels, they are not as expensive as you may think. They are surprisingly affordable, especially when you compare them to the expense of having someone come out to your house and install ready made panels for you. That will cost you thousands of dollars just to have a couple panels installed, but you can build your own for way less.
solar energy is excellent and these are the future. Its sure tother will be no longer seen thanks for this wonderful article. It is informative and interest read. Looking forward to read more of your informative stuff.
Over Christmas vacation my father and brother and myself watched a video about building your own solar panels. The process is quite simple and the applications are numerous, especially in remote regions (third world countries, etc.) The solar energy can be used in remote villages to pump clean water for drinking etc. Also, I learned that solar cells can be purchased very cheap from manufacturers if the cell has a defect. The cells still work! It just takes a little work to assemble what you need to get the voltage and current for your system.
I live in rented accommodation at the moment, but as soon as I manage to buy my own place I’m going to go all out and fit it with solar panels. Save money AND save the environment – why not?
Do you think in a decade, almost every home would use solar power instead of coal to generate electricity? This would save a lot of money and help mother nature.
-Kai
Solar power is being used for a number of products, from supplying electricity to homes and businesses to powering your laptop or portable radio.
Awesome post there. Great article Anna. Its high time that each and every person must go green and stay eco-friendly now on. It not only helps our environment be pure but also reduces global warming to a large extent. Nothing to think there cos an added advantage is that ultimately we stay healthy if our surrounding is clean and free of pollution. Its true that all kind of organic and eco- friendly products or food are expensive. Using solar panels should be the first step towards this goal. Excellent facts. Thanks
Over here in Japan, they are introducing a type of point system for buying eco friendly products like solar heaters, solar panels or hybrid cars or low electricity consuming electric products. If this system could be incorporated into most shopping centers around the world, more people would be likely to purchase these type of products which are often more expensive initially but pay in the long run.
Although using plastic materials for harnessing the sun’s power are by no means something new, the power to actually reap the infrared portion of the sun is a recent development. Current technology is only able to use the visible rays of the sun. The infrared portion is invisible and is a good half the power of the sun which is why plastic will generate even more power at a lower cost than current solar cells.
Solar power is more and more advanced all the time. This energy can be used to power a variety of products.
Your site is very informative and interesting. I always love to learn any new information that i can about solar energy. It is the one thing we have such an incredible abundance of. I think everyone should have some way of using this endlessly renewable source of energy in their life. Thank you very much.
Here in Arizona I am surprised I don’t see many people using solar panels. Don’t get me wrong I do see some houses with them but I believe when people start to learn more about this we will see more and more solar panels on houses.
Anna, you have emphasized the importance of solar energy impeccably. Coming from the industry of selling homes, we are aware of the needs of customers more than anybody. This blog post has enlightened us on the various aspects of energy usage and we can explain to our customers more efficiently now. Thanks for your time in writing this.
Regards,
Alan S Rosson
@ Tulsa Homes – Thank you
@Jessie – Hopefully, more education and enlightenment on the subject will help.
@Tom – Thanks! I agree, we can and should utilize solar energy wherever it is workable and worthwhile.
@Ken – Thanks
@Alex – that is an interesting point you bring up. Definitely puts things in another perspective. Thanks for adding that data on the subject!
@Kirsty – I like the idea of implementing such a system. I agree that making it more worthwhile, financially and otherwise, will encourage more people to use solar energy. I hope such systems are adopted in other areas and countries as well.
@Gabriel – You are right, personal health is a benefit which is often overlooked, or so it seems. Many people look at the use of eco-friendly products or alternative energy as an option they can choose for the benefit of the environment, but at the expense of their pocketbook. However, personal health is definitely a big factor. In fact, if we all led healthier and cleaner lives, we would be spending a lot less on medical bills and even beauty products, weight loss supplements, cosmetics, and worse (particularly where women are concerned).
@Kai – It’s possible, but one has to keep in mind that there are other forms of renewable energy and solar energy is not always the best way to go. It may be one of several forms of renewable energy in use in a home or establishment. Or, geography and other conditions might indicate that other forms of renewable/alternative energy are more efficient.
@Tom – Thanks for your feedback. I definitely agree!
Unfortunately, customers and indeed installers of solar heating systems tend to forget the importance of a good inhibited heat transfer fluid. This fluid must be able to withstand temperatures of up to 180′C during system operation whilst also protecting the system when temperatures plummet below freezing. Consequently, customers must be made aware of the importance of good inhibited heat transfer fluid at the installation stage of a solar heating system, otherwise this may lead to premature system failures.
Solar energy is definitely environmentally friendly and that is the reason why the demand for solar energy is greater than supply.