| Solar Energy benefits are many, but let's first talk | | | | energy. First is direct solar energy which involves only |
| about where we are today. Ninety one percent of all | | | | one conversion into a usable form. For instance: |
| of the power produced in the United States is a direct | | | | - Sunlight hits the solar panel(s) or solar cell, converting |
| result of using fossil fuels to operate and generate | | | | it into electricity. |
| electricity. | | | | - Sunlight hits the surface of a solar thermal collector, |
| Fossil fuel has been used as an energy source as long | | | | converting into thermal energy (heat) which can be |
| as man has learned to generate power. Fossil fuel has | | | | used to heat homes during cold season. |
| been around for ages and when man started using | | | | - The second is the indirect solar energy which |
| these energy sources no one thought about the | | | | involves more than one conversion to reach a usable |
| consequences. | | | | form. For instance: |
| Fossil fuels are being depleted and will run out in the | | | | - Plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy |
| future. This shortage in fossil fuel will have its affect on | | | | to chemical energy, which can be burned later as fuel |
| our daily lives and in the majority of industries. Today | | | | to generate electricity (also known as bio-fuel |
| we see some of these affects already, fossil fuel | | | | technology). |
| prices are raising and electricity is becoming more | | | | - Hydroelectric dams and wind turbines are indirectly |
| expensive. Although fossil fuels are more scarce, the | | | | supplied by solar energy through its interaction with the |
| need for fossil fuels will still be here and will not | | | | Earth's atmosphere. |
| decrease right away. To solve this shortage of fossil | | | | So, what are the main solar energy benefits? |
| fuels we will need to look solar energy benefits. | | | | - It's Pollution-free. |
| Fortunately, alternative energy sources are growing in | | | | - Solar facilities require minimal maintenance. |
| interest. For instance, locations with water- falls are | | | | - It is abundant. As mentioned earlier, most of the |
| building a hydro-electric power plants. Locations with | | | | inhabited areas here on Earth can be reached by |
| high wind speed make use of wind mills that can | | | | sunlight. |
| convert wind power into electricity. | | | | - It will slow down the depletion of fossil fuels |
| Solar energy is also one of the energy sources that is | | | | - It will help to eliminate emissions produced by burning |
| rapidly gaining in popularity. The use of solar energy | | | | fossil fuels. |
| has steadily been growing. Today solar energy is | | | | Once massive development of the use of solar |
| widely used in the US and the advantages are | | | | energy is materialized, you can expect that every |
| numerous. We have a free solar energy source, the | | | | household in the world will be powered by solar |
| sun, its life span is estimated to be another 4.5 billion | | | | energy. It is not just a dream; it's the change that we |
| years. It's pretty safe to say, that we won't run out! | | | | need to make the world a better place. You can |
| Converting the sun's Solar Energy | | | | experience solar energy benefits today, why wait for |
| There are two ways of converting the sun's solar | | | | dreams. It now makes sense economically. |