Solar Energy (Alternative Sources of Energy)
Solar energy is obtained from the sun through a form of solar radiation. Electrical generation through solar power depends on heat engines and photovoltaic (Berinstein 13). Other functions of include heating and cooling of space by use of solar architecture, solar hot water, day lighting, solar cooking, and processing heat of high temperature for industrial purposes.
Solar technologies are widely characterized as either active or passive solar based on how they capture, convert, and disseminate solar energy. Solar techniques that are active in nature include the application including photovoltaic panels as well as sun-based thermal collectors totap the energy (Black and Richard 24). On the contrary, passive solar techniques entail directing a building to the sun, picking materials with the necessary thermal mass or light diffusion properties, and creating designs of spaces that circulate air naturally.
Solar energy has a very high potential as a replacement for fossil fuels. This is because solar energy has more advantages as compared to fossil fuels. Firstly, almost every form of energy on earth is a form of solar energy (Caffrey 24). The sun’s radiant energy converts into other forms of power. For case in point, the sun is a basis of both water and wind energy. Wind energy results from the varied heating of the earth surface by the powerful sunrays. The heating caused warm and cool air masses, which form wind.
Hydropower also emanates from energy that was released originally from the sun. Sunlight causes water evaporation. After condensation, water falls upon the surface of planet earth as rain and flows into the rivers and streams that generate hydropower (Griffin 37). The sun speeds up the process of photosynthesis as a form of chemical reaction in plants. The reaction enables plants to acquire the energy they need for growth. This energy is then transferred to an animal when they feed on it. The fossil fuels we burn today in the form of oil and gas are the decomposed bodies of animals and vegetation that died decades ago. In other words, fossil fuel is ancient sunlight compressed underground.
However, nowadays, the focus is on using solar energy in a cleaner and more direct way. Moreover, without having to wait for the long processes to take place to form the other forms of fuel (Gunkel 45). The cleanliness of solar energy is another advantage of solar energy, unlike fossil fuels, that pollutes the environment by releasing dangerous and poisonous gases and fumes into the air. These gases, especially carbon monoxide, adversely damage the ozone layer and consequently causing global warming and other environmental changes.
The energy that arrives at the surfacein one hour is enough to meet all the energy needs if properly tapped or harvested (Black and Richard 37). In recent scientific developments, a process is being developed that will transform sunlight into liquid fuel by employing carbon dioxide as the key input and transmitting oxygen as the key byproduct.
Among the uses of solar energy, is the solar hot water heating (Caffrey 37). This is the most common usage of solar in recent times. Taking into consideration different variables such as the climate and amount of hot water usage, solar systems can nowadays offer between 20 and 100% of the family’s hot water needs.
Another use is the solar power tower. This is combination of a series of morrors, which reflect sunlight to a central receiver (Caffrey 38). This receiver is built up on a tall tower at the centre of an enormous field. The receiver gathers the heat energy from the mirrors and uses it to turn turbines and generate electricity.
Another use of solar energy is in agriculture and horticulture. Greenhouse farming is a form of farming that uses a mechanism that converts sun light to heat (Caffrey 38). This enables production and growth through out the year, especially of unique crops not naturally adoptive to the prevailing climate.
Solar lighting is a major use of solar energy. Day lighting systems gather and disseminate sunlight to offer interior illumination (Gunkel 63). This is a form of passive technology that directly counteracts energy use by substituting artificial lighting, and indirectly counterbalance the use of non- solar means be diminishing the want for air- conditioning. Hybrid solar lighting is a technique of providing inner lighting in an active way.
Solar lighting is a major use of solar energy. Day lighting systems gather and disseminate sunlight to offer interior illumination (Gunkel 63). This is a form of passive technology that directly counteracts energy use by substituting artificial lighting, and indirectly counterbalance the use of non- solar means be diminishing the must for air- conditioning. Hybrid solar lighting is a technique of providing inner lighting in an active way.
Works Cited
Berinstein, Paula. Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues. Westport, CT: Oryx Press, 2001. Print.
Black, Brian, and Richard Flarend. Alternative Energy. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2010. Print.
Caffrey, Paul. U.S. National Debate Topic, 2008-2009: Alternative Energy. New York: H.W. Wilson, 2008. Print.
Griffin, Rodman. Alternative Energy. Washington, D.C: CQ Press, 1992. Internet resource.
Gunkel, Darrin. Alternative Energy Sources. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Print.
