A Short History Of Man's Use Of Renewable Sources Of Energy
Contrary to the popular if arrogant notion, man has long used renewable sources of energy to power his daily activities
. These sources of energy included the so-called bio-fuel of wood, peat and even dried animal dung, which are still in use in many parts of the world today. There were also early societies who used wind and water for power generation as is the case with windmills and dams, respectively.
It is solar energy that holds the most fascination for man for obvious reasons. The sun is the most powerful renewable resource known to man with a worldwide presence on any part of the Earth, many places enjoying sunlight nearly 365 days a year. As such, the sun's energy is easy to harvest, harness and apply in war and peace.
Ancient History
The sun's energy was harnessed long before the first solar cell was invented. Well, of course, ancient peoples worshipped the sun and, thus, harnessed its power in a metaphysical way. The sun's potential as one of the renewable sources of energy was thought to have come soon after its physical uses were discovered.
The first recorded use of solar energy was in the 3rd century BC when Greek soldiers used passive solar power to defeat a Roman port city. Giant mirrors aimed at the Roman fleet's ships were used to concentrate the sun's energy, thus, burning the sails. The mastermind was the great Greek mathematician, Archimedes.
The Romans themselves used the sun's energy in their houses and public baths by installing south-facing windows with heat-absorbent materials like mica. The sun's heat was collected during the day and then distributed during the night, which meant that fewer woods had to be burned. Indeed, it was an ingenious use of two renewable sources of energy, which modern houses can apply with present-day technology.
Modern Times
The modern history of solar energy as the foremost source of renewable energy assumed a faster pace during the 18th century when Horace de Saussare, a Swiss scientist, developed the first solar collector in 1767. The timeline of the development from the rudimentary solar collector of the 18th century to the modern solar panels of the 21st century can be shortened as follows:
* 1839 - Edmond Becquerei observed the photoelectric effect upon which the sun's energy as used in human activities is based on
* 1880s - Selenium was used in photovoltaic cells with a 1-2% efficiency
* 1891 - Clarence Kemp, widely recognized as the father of sun-based power, patented the first commercial water heater. This ushered in the sun as the most viable renewable sources of energy.
* 1950s - Great strides were made with the invention of silicone-based PV cells, the construction of the first solar water-heated office building and the march toward a viable source of energy for the space satellites.
Nowadays, solar power is being harnessed in more sophisticated ways across a wider sector of the population. The realization that solar power has many benefits over fossil fuels is taking hold in both the public and private sectors. The evidences are many - hybrid cars, solar roof shingles, solar lights, solar paints and even solar nanotechnology. The sun as one of the most renewable sources of energy is taking center stage and we cannot be any happier for this favorable turn of events.
by: Jacque Crook
Blogging: The New Internet Marketing Out with An Old Computer, In with A New One Have A Happy And Healthy New Year 3 Main Stages One Should Consider In Waste Water Treatment Residential Solar Power Systems Laser Dentistry: Check Out This New Technology! Yogurt Machine Quiet Beautiful Woman Beautiful New Home Experience - Yogurt Machine, Small Solar Integrated Roof Tile (TIPV) The benefits of moving to a new Slough office Save Money With Alternative Energy Sources Computer Security Applications The New Trend In It Internet Marketing For New Affiliate Marketers Private Enterprises Can Enter The Threshold Of Qualification Of Nuclear Power Into Huabing Highway