One of the best ways to produce power is by using the sun. Not only is it a renewable form of energy but it is also much cheaper to produce than its fossil fuel counterpart. Here we tell you all about the most effective ways of getting power from the sun.
Getting power from the sun
The Earth approximately receives around 174 petawatts of solar radiation in our upper atmosphere. Around 30% of this is reflected back into space, while clouds, oceans and land masses absorb the other 70%. Solar energy is a great way of creating electricity as it is a renewable source. There is a range of factors which can affect how much energy we produce such as time of day, land mass accessible to humans and cloud cover. Geography also affects how much solar energy a country can make for example those that are closer to the equator will have more solar radiation than those who are not.
Solar Energy
Many people are aware of solar panels, however, do not fully understand how they work. Solar power is arguably one of the cleanest ways of renewable energy and is also one of the most reliable. As a readily available resource, it can be used in a range of forms to help produce power. Solar panels convert the suns rays into electricity by exciting electrons. These are located within silicon cells which use photons of light from the sun.
Roof Systems For Homes and Business
Some of the most popular forms of solar panels for homes and business are roof systems. Solar panels are placed on the roof in the most light catching location; it depends on what way your home or business is facing to what side you have your solar panels located.
An ideal location will have no shade on the panels throughout the day; however, this is not always possible. You will, however, want the panels to be completely free from shade during the prime sunlight hours of 9 a.m to 3 p.m. If you are having solar panels fitted it is usually recommended to have a south facing installation, this will mean your panels will have optimum potential. Do not worry if your home is not facing in the south location as you can still receive a lot of sunlight.
You can also get more advanced solar panel systems which pivot as the sun turns. It essentially means you can produce as much power as possible throughout all light hours of the day. To find out which solar panels would be best for your home take a look at GreenMatch.
Agriculture and Horticulture
Agriculture and Horticulture can optimise the amount of solar energy that is captured in order to help optimise the productivity of plants. There are many different techniques farmers will use to help their crop yields such as timed planting cycles and different crop heights.
Another great use of solar radiation from the agricultural industry is the use of greenhouses which help to convert solar light into heat. By doing so, farmers have been able to produce crops all year round, especially those that will not naturally grow in the local climate. Greenhouses enable farmers to continue to make a living throughout the year by reducing the risk of damaged crops by unfavourable weather conditions. Depending on what type of greenhouses farmers choose to go for, more advanced greenhouses can take complete control of the crop production which will help in faster growth and even higher yields. If you would like to know more about crops you can grow in greenhouses we recommend taking a look at 7 Market Crops You Can Grow In Greenhouses.
Vehicles
Solar powered vehicles are the future. We are constantly looking for ways to reduce the amount of diesel and petrol we are consuming. Solar cars are now using energy from the sun to charge the battery or to even go straight to the motor.
There are a number of benefits to having a solar-powered car they often work silently which means they will not add to any of the noise pollutions. Solar panels also do not contribute to the production of greenhouse gases unlike normal petrol or diesel vehicles. Another aspect to think about is that solar energy is free so the running of your car will be much cheaper in the long run.
While a lot of these cars are not available to the public we believe in a couple of years there will be an influx of solar energy vehicles.
LEDC
Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDC) are able to mass produce their own electricity rather than depending on other countries. The help of renewable energy has seen countries alleviate some poverty-stricken areas, as the energy produced has allowed the population to create businesses and employment.
It can also enable schools to be lit, which helps towards educating young children. Children are more likely to stay in school as it is a warm place to be with places to cook food.
Something a lot of people do not know is that 2.4 billion people in the world will use natural biomass products to cook and heat their homes such as wood, dung and residues. With the constant burning of these materials they are often exposed to large amounts of carbon monoxide, which is usually a higher level then the standard person would consume. It can often lead to acute respiratory illnesses. Renewable energy is an excellent way of reducing indoor pollutants.
Why Make The Most Out of Solar Energy
Solar energy is, first of all, a great way of providing electricity to those who are less fortunate. With this energy they can reduce poverty but most importantly help in terms of health, and the economy.
By installing solar panels in your home or business, you may be a little surprised at just how much money you can save on your business electricity plans.
Renewable energy can improve the way our crops grow and how much yield our farmers can produce. It also means imports are far less and exports of specific products can increase, bringing more money into the economy.