Solar Energy Explained
Posted on: January 6th, 2008 by adminSolar energy is produced by harnessing the sun rays and light during day time. Solar energy is one of the oldest forms of energy sources and has been found to be extremely useful in many countries, which have harnessed this source. A renewable energy source, solar energy offers a plenty of advantages. It can be produced at cheap costs and used for a variety of purposes such as heating, lighting and many other applications. Solar energy can meet the requirements of small hilly towns and remote areas to which drawing power cables can be a difficult task. Solar powered street lights, cookers, water heaters and hand held mobile lamps have become popular. There are million dollar companies, which specialize in producing solar powered appliances and equipment.
Solar power can be harnessed by installing solar photo voltaic modules. These modules are manufactured using silicon. The photo voltaic cells have the power to trap sunlight and store it in the form of energy. This energy can be converted into light and heat forms. If water is run through the solar modules, it gets heated. Similarly solar energy can power the home lighting and street lighting. Many industries have installed massive solar photo voltaic cells to harness solar power. This greatly reduces the burden on the power utilities, which are being forced to produce more power as the demand increases. These days, solar powered automobiles are also being developed for trial runs. Contests are held to determine the power of solar energy. Cars run for long distances by drawing power from solar energy.