Solar Energy Systems - Research Paper Example

The available fossil fuel stocks are believed to be sufficient enough for thirty or forty years more if the consumptions continues in the present rate. Even though explorations are going on for finding out new fossil fuels sources, the outcomes are not much encouraging. In short, it is necessary for the mankind to identify alternate energy sources which are capable of replacing fossil fuels. Even though plenty of energy sources are in discussion for future use, all of them have some kind of drawbacks.

The recent tsunami attack on Japan’s nuclear power stations and the subsequent problems raised many questions about the logic of relying heavily on nuclear power in future. Solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power etc are some of the other energy sources which are discussed at present as future energy source. However, solar energy seems to be alternate option in future when we consider its renewable nature. Chapo (2004) mentioned that “On a smaller scale, there are solar panel packs that fold out like a small ledger and are used to power up anything from laptops to cell phones” (Chapo).

One of the most difficult problems associated with the utilization of solar energy is the problems in converting solar energy into other forms of useful energy. The current solar energy conversion technologies are extremely poor and therefore we can use it only for purposes like boiling water and in solar devices such as calculators, watches etc. In other words, the available technologies to convert solar energy into useful forms of energy are expensive now. This paper analyses different topics related to Solar Energy Systems.

A solar collector consists of a network of pipes through which water (or in colder climates, antifreeze) is heated. Collectors come in various sizes, with 4 by 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 m) the most common. The three most common mounting systems for solar