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What is Solar Energy?
For whatever the reason, we have a giant and extremely dense sphere of hydrogen in the sky called the Sun. How lucky for us this is, since the Sun is constantly undergoing Nuclear Fusion and cranking out megatons of solar energy on a regular basis.
The term solar energy is used to describe electromagnetic radiation released by the sun. This radiation is extremely important to the Earths biosphere, and is the source of our existence. It is the catalyst for life as we know it on our planet.
This electromagnetic radiation, also referred to as light waves, includes an entire spectrum of different wavelengths. X-rays are some of the shortest light waves, where as radio waves are some of the longest. Solar energy falls in between, composed mostly of infrared waves, waves (colors) visible to the human eye, and ultraviolet waves. Life on Earth has heavily adapted toward these wavelengths that we receive.
The Sun emits solar energy in the range of infrared, visible light, and ultra-violet wave lengths. Thank goodness for this, because if the Sun emitted solar energy as X-rays or Gamma rays, we would all be toast.
Solar energy is also the primary element that forms weather patterns. The Sun warms the surface of the earth, whereby wind patterns develop. Solar energy is absorbed in the oceans, and this helps form the currents. Evaporation caused by solar energy is what fundamentally leads to clouds and thunderstorms.
Solar energy is the catalyst for almost everything that occurs on Earth. It is as though the Earth has its own power plant, a giant Nuclear Fusion Reactor in outer space. It is a good thing too, because without it we would all be screwed.
Each and every day we should all be giving thanks to the Sun. It may be the most important element to our existence which we take for granted. Imagine if one day we woke up and there was no Sun? It would be like losing power at your home, but a million times worse. Probably most people would fall into an immediate panic.
If theres one thing that is decidedly for sure, then, is that humans need solar energy. When you think about it, really, our entire plant (including us) is solar energy, taking it in and transforming it into other forms.
So if theres one thing for sure, its that solar energy is here to stay. We are solar energy, its the reason we can see, and reason we can eat. It is embedded in virtually everything that surrounds us. When the Sun goes, we will go with it.
The time has come now to discuss solar energy in different terms. Mankind has become clever these past few generations, and developed new methods to harness this energy. We now have ways to convert solar energy directly into electricity. And weve developed several new inventions for absorbing solar energy and making high temperature heat.
How much can we rely on these new technologies to power our daily needs? Does making power from solar energy really save in the long run? How difficult are solar energy systems to integrate, and what types of technologies are the best? We pondered these very questions ourselves, and decided to share some of the answers.
About the Author To find out how to use solar energy as a budget source of power for your home get Walter Hull's checklist on simple solar power from your backyard.
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