Life on earth is fueled by the light and heat from the sun. Approximately, 3850 Zettajoules (ZJ) per year is the total amount of solar energy available to the earth. The suns energy travels to the earth by way of electromagnetic radiation like radio waves but the frequency range is different. Heat and light are the primary forms of solar energy.Some of this energy is absorbed as it comes thru the atmosphere. Solar energy has many advantages over conventional energy. The energy from the sun is free the only expense is from recovering the energy. Recently solar photovoltaic cell technology is on the rise.

You will recover the cost of a solar power system faster than you will recover the expense of conventional power. Recovering units do not need to be connected to gas lines or power lines. They are intended to work by themselves. There is an umlimited supply of solar energy and there are no gases emitted to hurt the earth or its atmosphere. There are several ways to recover solar energy: Focusing collectors: It has an adjustable mirror called a heliostats that is aimed at the sun and can put out a temperature of about 4000 C. This degree temperature is used for a solar furnace in industries and research. These solar furnaces don’t contaminate our environment.

The heliostats can focus the energy to a boiler that turns water into steam. To generate electricity from solar power, focusing collectors can be used.

Flat plate collectors: These solar power panels can be used in schools and homes to provide heat using water that is heated in pipes. They cannot provide as much heat as the focusing collectors because they are smaller. Solar distillation: Solar distillation is about the same as flat plate collectors but provides distilled water instead of heat.

Water from the ocean is placed in containers of the roof of a house. The sun’s rays heat the water, which begins to evaporate. The vapor condenses on a surface, and is then distilled to produce pure water. Solar electricity: By using focusing collectors and Photovoltaic cells, made of thin pieces of semiconductors, convert radiation from the sun into electricity. Solar energy is non-polluting, and its availability does not depend on supply, demand, or market pricing; it is always free. It is natural and pure. It would provide us with better health. Together, there are a multitude methods we may implement to achieve optimal output of natural and renewable resources.

Going with solar energy is motivational to others who want to make a difference. Solar energy is cheaper than heat, electricity and gas. Gas and electricity have relatively low initial costs, but you’ll pay much higher ongoing expenses. With solar power you may have an initial investment to turning your home into solar power but after that you have no reason to pay for it any further, unless you use electric or gas for a back up heating source. Solar power has been availabile in the past, is available now, and barring disaster, should be available for a very long time to come.