Suntricity Power

Solar energy is said to be the main form of renewable energy; in fact in one way or another, most of the earth’s renewable energy comes from the sun. Renewable solar energy reaches the earth in the form of radiation which is absorbed by the hydrosphere (water). The energy in the water is dissipated across the planet in the form of ocean currents or winds – sources of renewable energy. Solar energy also affects the distribution of precipitation which is used by plants that produce bio-fuels and by hydroelectric projects. It is also used by plants in photosynthesis, the process of converting solar energy into chemical energy, which eventually become the bio-fuels.

Aside from being the origin of the other forms of renewable energy, renewable solar energy in its pure form can be harnessed for different purposes. Solar technologies (term used to identify technologies that harness solar energy) are generally classified into two types: active or passive. This classification points out the way technologies capture, convert and distribute the energy form the sun. “Active” technologies use photovoltaic (PV) panels, pumps or fans in converting sunlight into usable forms. “Passive” technologies, on the other hand, involve building structures using materials with thermal properties.

Solar energy is used in different fields, with the most popular being power generation. Producing electricity from the sun, or solar power, is a very big trend today. There are two main ways of generating electricity using renewable solar energy: direct or indirect. The direct method of harnessing renewable solar is with the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells while the indirect method is with concentrating solar power (CSP).

A photovoltaic cell, or a solar cell, converts renewable solar energy directly into electricity using the principle known as the photoelectric effect. A packaged, interconnected assembly of solar cells is called a solar panel. Solar panels are the main components of photovoltaic systems which supply electricity to some houses or business establishments. Solar panels are also used in space aviation to provide an almost infinite source of energy to spacecrafts.

Concentrating solar power is a newer way of harnessing renewable solar. CSP systems use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight from wide area into a small, concentrated beam. The heat from the beam is then used for heating the water used by conventional power plants. There are several types of CSP technologies including the parabolic trough, the solar power tower, the Stirling dish and the concentrating linear Fresnel reflector.

Other uses of renewable solar are in architecture and agriculture. Building design, especially for large buildings, is generally affected by sunlight. Most, if not all, buildings are oriented so that light and warmth can be maximized. Computer modeling, one of the most recent approaches to architecture, integrates solar lighting, ventilation and heating to create the so-called solar design. Some architects use other solar equipments such as fans, pumps and switchable windows enhance the performance of their solar buildings.

Agriculturists try to maximize renewable solar energy, in the form light, to optimize plant productivity. Several sun-based techniques such as tailored row orientation and timed planting cycles have been developed to improve crop yield. A common use of solar energy is in the creation of greenhouse gases which convert sunlight to heat in order to allow crops to have a year-round production.