Solar Energy - Research Paper Example

31 March Solar Energy: Solar energy is one of the renewable sources of energy thatare frequently employed in order to get rid of pollution and global warming (“Renewable Solar Energy”). In this source of energy, the radiant light energy that the sun emits is harnessed and transformed into electricity (Madison). Solar energy was discovered much before the 20th century, though it became more common and widely employed after the first half of the 20 century. Since then, harnessing and utilization of the solar energy has increased manifolds.

Today, it is used as a renewable source of energy in homes and offices to make the buildings green and the business sustainable. A lot of research has conventionally gone into identification of ways to apply solar energy, and quite a lot of ways have been found in which solar energy can be produced and used in a cost effective way. A system consisting of a whole range of solar panels along with the storage batteries is conventionally employed as the most suitable setup for harnessing the energy derived from the sun.

Light incident from the sun is collected by the solar panels which in turn, store the energy thus captured into the storage batteries. As the solar energy is transferred to the batteries, it is possible to also use it to operate different home appliances and machines. The excessive solar energy that is originally stored in the batteries can be later made use of right after the sunset or in the night as required. In homes that solely rely upon sun as a source of energy, people keep batteries that are good enough to maintain power supplies to facilitate the operation of such home appliances as ovens, stoves, fridges, tvs and other digital devices.

The stored solar energy is also frequently used to regulate the temperature of the home by operating the temperature controlling devices like heaters and air conditioners. Solar panel installed in a home to collect solar energy (Lee). In addition to the conventional ways in which the solar energy is used, it is also integrated with power generated through traditional power grids with the help of a “hybrid power system” (Tatum). Although such homes are not totally depending upon the solar energy for everyday matters, yet the dual energy system does play a big role in reducing the utility bills and providing the occupants with a wonderful backup power system which proves to be particularly useful when some section of the conventional means of power collapses.

Solar energy is also frequently made use of by various agencies in providing the health care facilities. It is an excellent source of energy in the situations of emergency. Utilizing solar energy, hospitals can be continued to run in the events of power failure. Sun rays incident on the Earth are the nature’s blessing as they are full of energy that can be used in a constructive manner for the benefit of mankind. In the modern age when global warming has become the biggest issue, solar energy is something that we can safely resort to.

Works Cited: Lee, William. “Solar energy at home.” 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 31. Mar. 2011. . Madison, N. “What is Solar Power?” 22 Dec. 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. . “Renewable Solar Energy.” n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. . Tatum, Malcolm. “What is Solar Energy?” 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. .