What Is Solar Energy?

What is solar energy?? It's geek-tastic!! It is the light and heat that comes from the sun. Like every star, our sun is a giant ball of gasses comprised mostly of hydrogen and helium. The hydrogen atoms in the center of the sun combine to form helium - this is called nuclear fusion. During the nuclear fusion some matter is lost and sent into space as sunlight. The amount of sun that hits the united states in just one day is enough to feed the nation with a year and half worth of power!

What is solar power good for? Turns out lots of things - and we've been using it for thousands of years. The first use was with a magnifing glass to start wood on fire. The ancient Romans used glass windows to keep out the cold but let in the sunlight and trap the heat. Greenhouses were also invented then to make out of season fruits and vegetables. The first solar water heater was build around the 1700's in Europe, using a few panes of glass to heat water to a boil. All of these ways to use the sun's heat is called solar thermal energy. This process is used in modern day solar ovens. There is another way to harness it and it's the Geek's favorite...

Today the goal is electricity. Converting sunlight to electrical current is called the photovoltaic effect. This is the basis for solar cells in solar panels. There's lots of things run on solar energy now for your home like: solar lights, a solar pool heater, solar pool cover, solar attic fan, solar fountain, solar powered water heater, solar patio lights, solar air conditioners, and even solar powered bikes!

For some fun check out all the cool stuff they're developing to run on solar energy like ships, solar plane and (the soon to be everyday reality) solar powered cars!

There are ups and downs to everything. As much as I geek out over this, be sure to read the solar energy advantages disadvantages to get the whole story to the question: what is solar energy?

Other Resources From Friends of The Geek:

Solar power for homes is just as much an option in the 'burbs as the boonies.

Solar-Heating-Today... Get your solar heating questions answered... If your are considering solar heating or do you just want to learn more about capturing free solar energy for solar hot water and space heating for your home or business. start here.

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