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Basics of Solar Power
Solar power is an energy source which is renewable, totally free of charge, non-polluting and always available. Experts have been experimenting for a long time how to make the best and most efficient use of it. Here are some facts about how solar power is being used at the moment.
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.
Recently, much interested has been generated in the idea of using solar power as a means to run power motor vehicles. This is still very much at an experimental stage. The huge amount of power required by a car's engine would mean using very large solar panels. This is impractical due to the size and fragility of the panels. There is also the problem that when the sun is not shining, they wouldn't run for very long. In this instance, we are along way from using solar power to run our cars.
The demand for solar power is increasing, but at the moment its cost prevents it being used widely. It is not the lack of technology, but the cost of converting it to useful energy which is prohibitive. However fuel costs are continually rising, and the time will come when solar power will be economically viable. People are also increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of present day fuels, and therefore the demand for clean energy is rising. This increasing demand means that by economy of scale manufacturers will find it more feasible to produce devices which run on solar power.
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For more about solar energy then visit Paul Wood's website for more interesting information about solar energy uses
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