What Is Solar Energy And How Does It Work?
Solar energy often gets put into the category of new and alternative forms of energy. The truth is that people have been using solar power for thousands of years in one way or another. In case you have been living under a rock for the last decade, this type of energy is produced by harnessing the power of the sun. Believe it or not, the sun’s rays deliver enough energy in one day to power the entire world for one year!
Solar energy is considered a renewable form of energy. As long as the sun is around, it will continue to produce an abundance of energy. Because it does not produce any pollutants or harmful byproducts, the sun is also considered a clean source of energy.
If you think about it, solar energy was actually the first form of power used by humans. At one time, humans used the sun mainly for drying things or heating. As mundane as it may be, it is still a legitimate use of energy. In modern times, the solar power has been in use since the 1950s. Due to some technological issues and steep costs, this form of energy did not become widespread at the time. Technology has since seen some drastic changes and this form of power is once again in the forefront of the industry.
The future of solar energy looks to be quite exciting. Nanotechnology is currently being produced that can change the way we power our homes forever. There are companies that are working on creating solar quantum dots. These dots can be mixed into paint for your home. Essentially, you will be painting solar panels onto our wall that will help keep your home powered.
At this point in time, this type of energy is mainly produced through solar cells. The cells are placed directly into the sunlight, which causes a reaction within the cells. This reaction is what creates an electrical current, which can then be turned into electricity. The biggest issue with solar cells is that they are very inefficient.
There are two different types of solar energy: passive and active. While they both create solar energy, they do so in very different ways. Passive does not involve the use of panels, but active does. With the passive method, the home and everything that needs power inside of the home are placed in positions that will allow it to absorb as much sunlight as possible.