subject: Some known facts about solar energy [print this page] This is a world wide acknowledged fact that out of all the natural sources of energy available, solar energy is the most advantageous. This energy possesses unlimited advantages and can be used in numerous sectors. It has wide range of applications and it will be with us every time. So we can say that this is a reliable form of energy. This article is all about some of the known facts about the solar energy.
The heat and light that are emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation creates the solar energy. With the advancement in the technologies, human beings have made it possible to capture this radiation and transfer these radiations into some usable forms such as production of electricity and heating purposes. There are numerous advantages of this energy that makes it the most beneficial form of natural and renewable source of energy out of all the other sources available. This article is all about some of the basic principles of solar energy.
Using the solar power, electricity can be generated that completely depends upon the photovoltaic cells and heat engines. There is a wide range of applications of solar power. Some of the major applications include space cooling and heating through its architecture, solar cooking, and potable water by distillation and disinfection, day lightning, hot water and the high temperature process heat for several industrial uses. The simplest method of extracting the solar energy is the implementation of solar panels.
On the basis of the way the solar energy is captured, converted and distributed, the solar technologies are classified as active solar and the passive solar. Solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels are used in active solar technology to extract the energy. On the other hand, passive solar technologies include selecting materials with appropriate thermal mass or light dispersing properties, orienting a building to the sun and designing the spaces that naturally circulate the air.
