| The future of energy sources isn't something that's | | | | sunshine. |
| new at all. But due to the high cost of taking | | | | Thermal Solar systems make use of the sun to |
| advantage of these options, they just weren't practical. | | | | provide heat. It is used to heat the building, or the hot |
| Now, with to exploding energy costs, and newer | | | | water supply for the building. It makes use of tubing, |
| methods of creating the components required for a | | | | and a type of antifreeze to accomplish this. |
| homeowner to produce their own solar power, the | | | | Photovoltaic Cells are used to generate electricity by |
| time is right for everyone to take advantage of these | | | | causing the electrons within the solar panels to move |
| "green" energy sources. | | | | around, generating friction, and generating electricity in |
| Of course I'm referring to solar power. Not only is it | | | | the process. |
| possible for a homeowner to build these systems, it | | | | Although the electricity that is generated is D C, or |
| can be done very cost effectively, and in a relatively | | | | Direct Current, and must be inverted into AC, or |
| short amount of time. | | | | Alternating Current, using an inverter. |
| Solar energy has been used commercially for a long | | | | The electricity produced is stored in a bank of |
| time, as a result of it's efficiency. Although the initial | | | | batteries, and once they are at maximum capacity, the |
| cost to install it is high, solar energy itself is quite cheap. | | | | excess electric is sold to the Electric Company, by |
| It won't deplete the ozone layer, or harm the | | | | simply returning it to the grid. |
| environment in any way. The green house effect is a | | | | There are two types of solar power, Passive and |
| very real threat to our planet. And it will never be | | | | Active. Active solar systems require an outside power |
| depleted. Unlike fossil fuels, where there is a limit of | | | | source to operate them. Passive solar systems |
| quantity. | | | | require no power source. |
| Solar energy can be converted into electricity, or used | | | | Both of these systems make use of a non depletable |
| for heat. | | | | energy source, and each reduce the use of other non |
| All solar system make use of solar panels, which are | | | | renewable energy sources. |
| positioned to make the most use of the available direct | | | | |