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Basics of Solar Power

by: PaulWoods
Total views: 11 | Word Count: 409

Solar power is a free, non-polluting, renewable resource that is always available. For a long time, experts have been experimenting the most efficient methods of its use. Here are some basic facts on how it is currently being used.

Solar power has a variety of different uses. It can be used as a direct means of heat, for example heating water. It can be converted to electricity via photo voltaic cells. Using the solar power directly is often termed 'passive solar' whereas converting it into electricity is known as 'active solar'. The weak form in which we receive solar energy can be a limiting factor. To make the best use possible of solar power we need to discover how to harness it and then make it concentrated.

In its passive state, solar power has been used for centuries. It has been used for lighting fires, heating water and drying wood. Today, solar water heaters are widely used in places where the sun is available all year round. Addtitionally, there are in existence solar power plants which harness the sun's energy and concentrate it enough to generate electricity. These power plants are very economical and useful in remote areas where conventional electricity plants are not feasible. It is even being used in satellites and space crafts.

There has been a great deal of interest in recent years in using solar power to power motor vehicles, however this is still in the experimental stages of development. The difficulty here is that the amount of power required to supply the car's engine would need big solar panels, which are impractical on a moving vehicle owing to the panels' size and fragility. Also, at times when there is no sun these vehicles could only run for limited time. So these vehicles are not ready as yet to replace conventionally powered ones.

Solar power demand is on the up but right now the costs prevent it from being a widely used energy means. The technology is available but the cost of converting the solar power into energy is too high. Fuel costs are also rising however which means that solar power will be a viable alternative if this continues. Present day fuels also have an environmental impact and people are becoming more aware of this and want to find environmentally friendly alternatives using clean energy. Manufacturers will find it more feasible to produce solar powered devices because of this rising demand.

About the Author

If you would like to find out more about solar energy then visit Paul Wood's website for more interesting information about solar energy uses

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