subject: Manchester - Solar Power Harnessed Successfully! [print this page] In Manchester, solar power is being harnessed in a big way to replace non-renewable sources of energy in homes and offices. We are all aware of the threat our planet faces due to industrialization, over exploitation and commercialization of natural resources, and deforestation to make space for human habitation and industries. In many parts of the world, clean drinking water itself has become scarce. Depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, rising levels of air, water, soil and sound pollution are now becoming issues of concern at a global level. One of the steps initiated to combat this danger is to harness renewable sources of energy as much as possible.
Renewable sources of energy include solar, energy, hydro power, wind energy, and geothermal heat. The advantage of using renewable sources is that they can never get scarce and that they never harm the environment. Addressing this growing concern, Scientists have invented devices that harness renewable sources of energy and can replace various electrical and heating and mechanical devices in homes and commercial structures in populated regions such as cities. This enables better energy management, saves non-renewable sources of energy, is environment friendly, and is more economical in the long run.
Solar energy can be harnessed in two ways, actively and passively. In the active solar technique, solar power is harnessed with the help of photovoltaic panels and thermal collectors that capture the heat from the rays and store it. It is then used in solar powered devices. These devices include solar lamps, heating systems in homes and offices, solar powered street lighting etc. The number and type of photovoltaic panels to be placed in homes or organizations is recommended by experts. They are placed in areas where they will be exposed to the sun at all times.
The passive solar technique does not capture and store solar power. Rather it involves designing and constructing buildings in such a way that they are exposed to the sun completely and consequently are able to absorb the heat to naturally warm the building inside. Not only the design but also the materials used for constructing the buildings are taken into consideration. This technique replaces heating systems which would otherwise have been used up large amounts of electricity. Solar cookers are also used on the exact same technology. In Manchester, solar power has been harnessed successfully and has also proved to be economically more viable for its residents.
