Living Environment

LivingEnvironment

LivingEnvironment

Solarenergy has been in use since the old age centuries. With advancementsin technology, this form of energy has been used for variousindustrial and domestic purposes. A lot of research has been madeinto the form of energy to get the best out of it. This paper willexpound on the history, benefits and working principle of solarenergy.

Historyof Solar Energy

The use ofsolar energy can be dated back to 1954 when G.L. Pearson, D.M. Chapinand C.S. Fuller from the Bell Laboratory ought to have their idea ofmaking power out of solar energy patented. They were seeking to makeelectricity from the sun using solar cells which were silicon based.The following year was marked by Hoffman Electronics signaling thelaunch of a commercial photovoltaic product. The product sold at $25for one unit cell was far much effective compared to the earliestproduct from the Bell lab. It was by mid-1960 that the efficiency ofproduced cells had risen, a factor accelerated by the massive questof space exploration. The threatening state of wars during thisperiod further led to people majoring on renewable sources as oil wasgetting hard to acquire.

WorkingPrinciple of Solar Energy

Solarenergy is harnessed from the rays through various techniques. Themost renowned techniques are the active and passive technologies. Theactive technique uses photovoltaic systems while the passivetechnique may include the orientation of the house towards the sun.The use of materials with thermal mass feature also works. The mostcommon way of harnessing solar power for domestic use is through theuse of solar panels. These units harness energy and store it to adesignated location from where it can be converted to alternatingcurrent or use it in its direct current form.

Usesof Solar Energy

Solarenergy can be used for domestic and industrial purposes. The form ofenergy once stored in dry cells or another form of energy can be usedfor cooking in homes. The conversion of power to alternating currentcharge makes it serve the same purpose just like electricity. Thepower can also be used to light up homes. A lighting system can beset up to illuminate the house during the night and winter periods.Household activities involving the use of power such as ironing,powering fridges and ovens can also benefit from the pool of solarenergy.

WhatMakes Solar Energy Superior Compared to the Other Energy Sources?

With solarenergy been inexhaustible, consumers of much energy have resolved atsettling with this form of energy. The power can be harnessed whenthe rays are available and stored in different forms to be used at alater date. It is definite that the sun has to shine from time totime hence the source of power is assured. The cost incurred inmitigating global warming will be foregone with the use of solarenergy. Solar energy does not pollute the environment hence measuresto conserve the environment will not be put in place. With measuresaimed at mitigating global warming been costly, the use of solarenergy will cut the financial implication associated with the later.Pollution caused by various forms of energy will be prevented by theuse of solar energy[ CITATION Sot14 l 1033 ].Solar energy doesnot cause pollution compared to fuel energy. Enhanced sustainabilityand reducing the prices of fossils fuels will go hand in hand withthe use of solar energy[ CITATION Mah13 l 1033 ].

Inconclusion, solar energy is the way to go bearing in mind that theother forms of energy are polluting the environment. The advantagesassociated with this form of energy cannot be underestimated. It is,therefore, a noble idea to embrace solar energy, as it will save onyour total expenditure on energy and consequently pose no pollutionto the environment.

References

Kalogirou, S. A. (2014). Solar Energy Engineering : Processes And Systems. Amsterdam : Elsevier/Academic Press.

Mahian, O. A. (2013). A Review Of The Applications Of Nanofluids In Solar Energy. International Journal Of Heat And Mass Transfer, 57(2), 582-594.