Solar Energy - Research Paper Example

Solar Energy Introduction This paper defines solar energy and gives a brief background concerning the ancient use of the solar energy. It also discusses the roles of solar energy and its application for animals and plants, as well as its challenges, constraints and opportunities in the world. It discusses the facts and application of Tucson solar energy as well. The nations of world have adopted various policies to extract opportunity from the solar source for the benefit of their citizens. Solar energy usage is diverse as it can be utilized for solar water radiator, solar thermal electricity, as well as solar cells. Solar energy is the power that is produced directly by the sun and collected somewhere else, mostly on the Earth. The sun is the nearest and biggest star and the source of energy for the planet of Earth. The sun's energy has been in use for a lengthy time, and it is a critical part of life. The solar energy is a fundamental need for humans. The image of the sun has many theories, histories and myths associated with it. For centuries, it has been the God, or the holy part of different religions, for example, the American native tribes and Greeks worshipped it. It is also an essential part of many religions as they hold it dear to their worship, for example, Hinduism, Buddhism and druids of England hold the sun as the precedence of their existence. It is a fact that without the solar energy, human life would be inexistent. Sunlight is crucial as the living organisms circle around it for survival. According to Mahaney (10), plants depend on sunlight for photosynthesis to take place, thus, helping in their growth while, on the other hand, providing food for animals. The sun and other stars are, in essence, responsible for providing human beings with energy. In the current climate, mounting power requirements and escalating environmental worry, unconventional to the exploit of non-renewable and polluting relic fuels, have to be scrutinized. An instance of energy that requires to be investigated is the solar energy (Tiwari 199). The sun produces its energy by a thermonuclear process that converts several tons of hydrogen to helium each second. The procedure produces heat and electromagnetic radiation as the sun retains the heat, which is instrumental in maintaining the thermonuclear reaction. The electromagnetic radiation is distributed and streamed out into space in all directions. These rays entail noticeable and infra-red, as well as ultraviolet, light. From the radiations produced, only a little fraction manages to penetrate, and reach the planet Earth (Mahaney 4). The radiations reach the Earth in a form of indirect source of nearly every type of power used today. The only form of energy that does not rely upon solar energy is the geothermal energy and nuclear fission and synthesis. Even fossil fuels are reliant on the sun for their energy, as they were once live creatures and plants that utilized solar energy for their survival. Table of world energy usage as per the year 2000 Energy source Solar energy Electricity Fuel oil Liquefied petroleum other percentage 51.2 30.3 9.3 6.5 1.9 The table above shows world consumption rates of different sources of energy. Solar energy is the most utilized one followed by electricity, according to the table. The world’s most needed solar energy can easily be harnessed and completed by solar power. Much of it can also be supplied indirectly. Because of its nature, solar energy requires two components for it to perform; these are the collector and the storage unit. The radiations are gathered by the collector as they fall on it and convert a fraction of the radiations to other varieties of energy, such as electricity and heat. The storage unit holds the excess energy produced at maximum productivity and discharges it when the productivity falls. The storage unit is necessary because of the inconsistencies of solar energy (Tiwari 192). Solar energy is one of the most plentiful sources of energy, which is easily available to everyone. The ways of collecting and storing solar energy differ according to the kinds of use planned for solar generator. World governments are developing alternative strategies to advance energy supply to address decentralized energy needs in remote areas. These processes are carried by the government energy body and sometimes in conjunction with other private organizations to attain swift results. Through the ministry of energy, most solar utilization initiatives, as well as programs, are developed for the rural areas to boost business and lives of such places. This includes implementation of renewable energy, both in urban and rural areas (Tiwari 190). Renewable energy in rural areas is used for purposes of lighting, cooking and drive power. Renewable energy can also be utilized in municipal areas, work and industrial applications as well as the establishment of different fuels and appliances. Furthermore, research and studies are carried out to design and develop the fresh and renewable energy technologies, commodities and services. Previously in the U.S, the sun water heaters in homes and offices warmed water. This was a cheap and affordable means, therefore, widely used. However, the solar water heaters were later replaced by electric heaters, which used fossil fuels. Solar energy is beneficial in that it does not cause pollution since it does not use fuel to power it on or use several resources to make solar panels (Tiwari 200). It is renewable and one of the least dangerous sources of energy, thus, allowing its usage with almost anything. As the world is fighting environmental degradation, solar energy is advocated for, as it does not cause any risky chemicals. It does not generate whichever greenhouse gases, such as glowing fossil fuels, that mostly cause global warming, as well as acid rain. Solar energy does not need any assistance to reach the planet Earth. It easily reaches the Earth, as the only hand it needs to accomplish its task is land. The land utilized produces the energy, completely causing no pollution. It is recommendable that every industry or organization should incorporate a solar energy system, as no land would have to be ruined in the name of energy. When making solar panels, the process is clear as it involves only the initial elements of construction, silicon, thus, causing only slight environmental harm. The chart below shows U.S home heating in 2000 Department of energy The chart exhibits that solar energy is the most used in U.S home heating followed distantly by electricity and fuel oil. Other forms are still way too far before catching up with solar energy. Images of Solar Energy and solar panels Image retrieved from in.gov Image from; conserve-energy-future.com Since solar energy is renewable, its usage reaches a limit; thus, it can be used repeatedly without running out (Mahaney 14). It is usable as long as the sun is shining and it can be applied for nearly everything excluding transportation. In residential areas, demand in installing solar panels on buildings has escalated to provide electricity to homes and work places. Solar energy is critical for low-power uses, such as garden lights and other appliances, assisting in home bills’ cut. Most industries use solar energy because it is economical, and it is highly suitable in remote areas where fewer kilowatts are required (Tiwari 179). Solar energy is the most likeable supply of energy to other sources. It is clean and affordable (Mahaney 16). Although nuclear energy is crucial, it needs for the rods to be stored and is taken from nuclear plant, which may encounter fallout and meltdown. Solar energy has fewer complications than nuclear energy. It is available everywhere, while other sources have to be mined, worked for and ought to prevent risk accidents and explosion in powering a small area. The sun, however, covers large distances in a day and energy stored in solar panels is converted to electricity for home use. Many people from the third world countries live without electricity. However, with the help of solar energy, this can be altered and it is already changing. For the nations in Africa, for instance, solar energy is making a difference. Persons who would otherwise have no electricity are reaping the fruits of solar power. Kerosene lanterns have been substituted by solar powered lighting, allowing children to study. With all its advantages and usage, solar power has its limitations too. For instance, it does not work round the clock. It is dormant at night. Where the weather is cloudy or misty with no sun, the solar applications are limited; thus, businesses and homesteads lack power for some time rendering it inefficient and ineffective. According to Tiwari (189), installation and building of solar control, plants and solar collectors and location can affect the performance. Since solar energy comes directly from the sun, its absence means that during the night solar energy does not work. Tucson solar energy Advancement and other satisfying technologies and ways are providing new ways for living better and more affordably in agreement with the natural surrounding. Tucson’s is identified as having the best solar assets in the realm. An area fraction of the mass of the county could deliver more solar influence (Solar Alliance n.d) than any other. Tucson had been progressively mounting its image for labour in solar vigour and sustainable structure. This resulted in Tucson cataloguing the least rates in per capita vigour consumption for the nation. This gives the basis for decisive fresh technologies in industries to meet the rapidly escalating local and global needs in energy and housing. The Tucson Solar Alliance helps in facilitating and over passing the opening between customers and manufacturers. It was selected to oversee and participate in funding the national solar program. Motivated by its success, Tucson has widened its program to assist people with other solar energy related products, such as solar water heating (Solar alliance n.d). Conclusion Solar energy is yet to be fully exploited. The world is making swift evolution in the sector of solar power generation, and many countries are gaining the fruits of investing in rural areas. Solar energy has become popular in both local and international scenes. It has helped in electrification and lighting of rural and remote areas. Even the third world countries that have recently depended on kerosene lamps, no longer live in the past, but have connected to electricity. Governments and banks have collaborated to enable poor citizens to access low loans to settle the electricity up. Solar energy is a significant source that requires a lot to invest, so that it will be fully harnessed to produce better, cleaner and safer forms of energy. In the contemporary world, where technology is the trend, electricity connection has to be established at both local and international levels. Work Cited Mahaney, Ian F. Solar Energy. New York: PowerKids Press, 2007. Print. Solar Alliance / Sustainability in action: Community and Choice for a Brighter Future. Solar Institute / Practical Sustainability in action: Creating natural abundance and prosperity that lasts. Making much better homes and better living at much lower cost. Going beyond green building on a practical and cost-effective basis. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. http://www.solarinstitute.org/tucson_solar_alliance/index.html Source: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy, State Energy Profiles, Kansas. Web. 4 April 2012. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=KS Tiwari, G. N. Solar Energy: Fundamentals, Design, Modelling and Applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2002. Print. Read More