The sun is the primary source of energy for our planet. Different other energy forms and sustenance of plants are dependent on engery of solar. With the advancement of technology, a lot of damage has been done to mother earth. Usage of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum excessively, has resulted in the menacing environmental pollution. Another aspect about these fuels is that they cannot be replenished, and slowly the coal and oil reserves of the world are getting depleted. Also people are leaving behind carbon footprints, whose harmful effects have to be borne by the future generations.
Hence nations are desperately looking for alternative sources of energy and solar energy happens to be one of the potential contenders that can provide a viable solution to the current energy crisis. Apart from this mode of energy, wind and water are also being utilized for energy production. Wind farms are present in several places and running water is extensively used in generating hydroelectricity. But there are limitations present in the availability of these energy sources and the setup that is required for harnessing them. But solar energy addresses all those issues befittingly and in an affordable manner one can have a solar technology being used at home.
There are two broad classifications made to solar technologies that tap the power of the sun. One is the active solar technique that includes the utilization of solar-thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels. The other category is known as the passive solar technique which includes customizing a building to exploit the sunrays. This is done by choosing substances with light-dispersing characteristics, suitable thermal mass, and creating spaces that circulate air naturally.
Solar-based electricity production depends on photovoltaics and heat engines. The sun’s radiant heat is utilized in solar water heating system, solar cookers, solar lamps, space heating/cooling through solar mechanism, distillation and purification of distilled water, solar lamps, etc.
If a person instead of using the conventional electricity supplied by the local electricity company, switches over to home solar energy with the installation of photovoltaic cells, he would be significantly cutting down on his monthly electricity bills. Another big advantage of this domestic energy production is that apart from the initial setup cost, there are hardly any recurrent costs involved. Also producing energy in this clean and green manner would help you to be a part of the global endeavor is restoring ecological balance.
