The light from the sun is a renewable source of fuel that is either passive or active. Passive ways of capturing it include construction that uses materials with light dispersing components. The interior of a home can be designed to cause air to circulate naturally. There are also active ways to use solar energy.
Active methods collect the rays of the sun in black photovoltaic panels. In a warm southern climate, the sun will be enough to provide all that is needed in a house. For those living in massachusetts, it will be insufficient in the winter.
This active method was prohibitively expensive when first used. The panels absorb and store the heat and light from the sun. In a warm climate it will be sufficient to run a household. However, in Massachusetts solar energy is not going to be enough. In addition to the photovoltaic panels on the roof, the homeowner must be connected to what is called a grid. This enables him to use electricity from another source when there is a cloudy or cold winter day.
Several generations ago, the average homeowner could not afford to have installation of the panels done. The cost has decreased with increased demand and production to meet that demand. The initial investment pays off because it remains functional for twenty years or more.
Some homeowners will be eligible for government subsidies. They can receive a cash rebate or a deduction on their income taxes. The panels will be financially beneficial with or without the subsidies.
Only half of the light that emanates from the sun gets to the ground on earth. The amount of incoming radiation is 174,000 terawatts, thirty percent of which is reflected upwards. The rest is absorbed by the oceans, clouds and ground. It serves to raise temperatures in the environment.
A famous United States inventor developed the concept of using light from the sun to convert to electricity. This engineer, Frank Shuman built a sun powered engine. How it functioned was by reflecting the energy from the sun into small boxes of ether. The resultant power ran a steam engine.
He collaborated with Sir Charles Vernon Boys, a British physicist, to develop an advanced version that used mirrors. In 1913 they constructed the first thermal power station. It was built in Maadi, Egypt. Then the availability of cheap oil in the 1930s curtailed the need for solar power development.
Kids are the scientists, homeowners and consumers of the future. It is time to get them excited about the development of solar powered - everything. Tell them about the solar panels on the big orange highway signs. They are not plugged in so how do they light up?
New designs are being tested all the time. Consider the lines of clothing that utilize solar energy to recharge cell phones for campers and hikers. T-shirts and caps have mini-photovoltaic panels on them. Boats and cars also have these panels to use sun power instead of petrol to fuel the engines.
Kids should be excited to hear about the World Solar Challenge, a race held in Australia. This race only allows the use of cars that run on energy from the sun. In Sydney, Australia there is a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor. It has the capability to run on solar energy, wind, battery power or diesel fuel.
Advancements continue in creating new ways to use the energy of the sun. It is a wide open field for engineers and research scientists. One kid in each classroom may invent something fabulous in fifteen years.
Active methods collect the rays of the sun in black photovoltaic panels. In a warm southern climate, the sun will be enough to provide all that is needed in a house. For those living in massachusetts, it will be insufficient in the winter.
This active method was prohibitively expensive when first used. The panels absorb and store the heat and light from the sun. In a warm climate it will be sufficient to run a household. However, in Massachusetts solar energy is not going to be enough. In addition to the photovoltaic panels on the roof, the homeowner must be connected to what is called a grid. This enables him to use electricity from another source when there is a cloudy or cold winter day.
Several generations ago, the average homeowner could not afford to have installation of the panels done. The cost has decreased with increased demand and production to meet that demand. The initial investment pays off because it remains functional for twenty years or more.
Some homeowners will be eligible for government subsidies. They can receive a cash rebate or a deduction on their income taxes. The panels will be financially beneficial with or without the subsidies.
Only half of the light that emanates from the sun gets to the ground on earth. The amount of incoming radiation is 174,000 terawatts, thirty percent of which is reflected upwards. The rest is absorbed by the oceans, clouds and ground. It serves to raise temperatures in the environment.
A famous United States inventor developed the concept of using light from the sun to convert to electricity. This engineer, Frank Shuman built a sun powered engine. How it functioned was by reflecting the energy from the sun into small boxes of ether. The resultant power ran a steam engine.
He collaborated with Sir Charles Vernon Boys, a British physicist, to develop an advanced version that used mirrors. In 1913 they constructed the first thermal power station. It was built in Maadi, Egypt. Then the availability of cheap oil in the 1930s curtailed the need for solar power development.
Kids are the scientists, homeowners and consumers of the future. It is time to get them excited about the development of solar powered - everything. Tell them about the solar panels on the big orange highway signs. They are not plugged in so how do they light up?
New designs are being tested all the time. Consider the lines of clothing that utilize solar energy to recharge cell phones for campers and hikers. T-shirts and caps have mini-photovoltaic panels on them. Boats and cars also have these panels to use sun power instead of petrol to fuel the engines.
Kids should be excited to hear about the World Solar Challenge, a race held in Australia. This race only allows the use of cars that run on energy from the sun. In Sydney, Australia there is a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor. It has the capability to run on solar energy, wind, battery power or diesel fuel.
Advancements continue in creating new ways to use the energy of the sun. It is a wide open field for engineers and research scientists. One kid in each classroom may invent something fabulous in fifteen years.
About the Author:
To save money with solar energy Massachusetts homeowners should first review the necessary information on the Web. Get expert advice about solar panels from this recommended source http://www.youtube.com/user/RevoluSunBurlington.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire