Solar energy is the worlds most abundant resource, and it is increasingly being harnessed to power homes and businesses. While solar energy still only makes up a small percentage of the worlds power, it is growing.
Solar energy provides an opportunity for homeowners and businessowners to save money on electricity and help the environment and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. However, with solar panels, the cost and long-term maintenance seems to put some people off.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar power is energy that is created by the sun and converted into useable energy that can be used as electricity and heat. Solar energy is the cleanest form of energy and the most readily available. In fact, enough sunlight strikes the earth’s surface every hour and a half to power the entire world’s energy consumption for a year.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Technology allows us to harness solar energy in several different ways, such as photovoltaics, solar heating and cooling and concentrating solar power.
Photovoltaics – is the form of solar energy that most of us will be familiar with. It uses solar panels to capture the energy created by the sun. This energy is then converted into electricity, which can power homes, businesses and more.
Solar heating and cooling – this is also known as solar thermal; it allows us to capture energy from the sun to heat and cool spaces. Just like using solar energy for electricity, using solar energy for heating and cooling reduces the dependence on other energy sources that aren’t as sustainable or environmentally friendly.
Concentrating solar power – this is the third way the suns energy can be captured; this also relies on solar thermal energy. With this method, mirrors reflect and concentrate solar energy to be stored and used later. This method is done at concentrating power plants.
Solar energy is the cleanest form of energy, and also happens to be the most abundant and accessible. People are increasingly harnessing the power to save money and reduce their environmental impact. If you are looking for more information on solar energy, our team is on hand to assist you.