| Everywhere you turn, whether in advertisement or just | | | | into a useable heat source. This heat then boils water |
| in general discussion, the social catch phrase now | | | | resulting in the release of steam to generate electricity |
| seems to be "go green". Whether its energy | | | | through a turbine in a similar fashion to a nuclear power |
| conservation or choosing a natural and organic lifestyle, | | | | plant. This technology can benefit thousands of |
| the word green has taken on new meaning over the | | | | residents at a time serving entire communities with |
| past decade. It references a new way of thinking and | | | | solar generated useable electricity. |
| a whole new level of personal and environmental | | | | Other solar power technologies being perfected |
| awareness. | | | | including a method that utilizes mirrors to redirect |
| When it comes to the environment and energy | | | | sunlight onto an oil filled pipe. The heated oil then boils |
| alternatives, solar energy and the global advantages it | | | | water for the generation of electricity. Mirrors are used |
| creates, is at the forefront of the green energy | | | | in another technique in directing sun's energy onto a |
| movement. All other energy sources are limited or | | | | collector which rests a receiver. A generator is then |
| produce harmful by-products. Nuclear energy has | | | | powered by molten salt that flows through the |
| radioactive waste and we all know the political and | | | | receiver. |
| public hot potato that source is. Also, there's no such | | | | Other technologies in use also includes less direct solar |
| thing as clean coal and we know that electrical power | | | | power uses such as the collection of solar energy |
| is another form of dirty energy that also is not in | | | | through large windows allowing heat absorbing |
| endless abundance. | | | | materials in the walls and floors of buildings to collect |
| Now consider solar power, the ultimate alternative | | | | heat. At night this heat is released to maintain a steady |
| energy source that will be available providing that our | | | | temperature throughout the building. In a similar method |
| sun continues to rise. However, tapping into this ultimate | | | | heat absorbing poles installed on a rooftop can heat |
| source and converting it into useable energy for all | | | | liquid in cylinders that provides a home with hot water. |
| societies is the challenge that lies ahead. As we all | | | | Solar energy is globally abundant featuring amazing |
| know great advancements have already been made | | | | benefits and without any real drawbacks or side |
| in this field and will continue to move forward. | | | | effects such as air or noise pollution. The applications |
| Every day the sun provides enough solar energy to | | | | and uses for solar power are far reaching having an |
| power the globe for a year. Despite continued | | | | impact on satellites in the Earth's orbit just as it impacts |
| advancements in the collection and utilization of solar | | | | your home and community. |
| power, just one tenth of one percent is harnessed | | | | If there are any negatives to the use and applications |
| towards the global demand of energy. Now according | | | | of solar power it may be due to costs and advancing |
| to a recent National Geographic story, solar | | | | solar technologies are expensive and they require |
| photovoltaic (PV) technologies could generate enough | | | | large amounts of land in order to allow enough energy |
| electricity equal to 40 times the world's present | | | | to be collected to impact an entire community. Thanks |
| electricity use. Photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, are a | | | | to new developing technologies and international |
| familiar site to most as they are commonly seen on | | | | recognition to the benefits of solar power, the push for |
| roof tops, in calculators and of course used on NASA | | | | using solar has increased by more than 20% since |
| spacecraft. When sunlight heats these solar panels | | | | 1995. Solar panels used to be very expensive to |
| electrons are released from their atoms resulting in the | | | | develop but prices have dropped significantly and they |
| generation of electricity as the electrons flow the solar | | | | are more efficient leading to the development of new |
| cell. | | | | major international markets. Cost incentives to go solar |
| Thinking beyond the backyard or other household | | | | from our government permits the investment in solar |
| appliances powered by solar energy, the solar thermal | | | | electricity even more worthwhile allowing for a system |
| power plant is an amazing technology that can impact | | | | to be paid for in five to ten years. |
| communities. These plants convert the sun's energy | | | | |