Solar power

Solar power refers to energy harnessed from the sun and converted to electricity for human use.

As of today, the major part of the energy available to mankind derives from the burning of fossil fuels: coal, oil and natural gas. However, because of increased prices, concern over dwindling fossil fuel resources, and protecting the environment from pollution and the consequences of global warming, there has been renewed interest in “alternate energy” sources in the new millennium. Solar power is one of the most promising alternate sources of energy, because it is renewable, in-exhaustible and available in huge quantities. Technological problems, in particular the efficiency of conversing photons into electrical energy, need to be overcome before solar energy use is economically feasible.

How it works

There are many different technologies used to extract energy from sunlight.

1. Photoelectric cells convert sunlight into electric potential. The sun’s energy (photons) is collected in solar panels, large panes of glass, where it is converted into electricity.
2. Solar panels used to heat water directly.
3. Parabolic mirror used together with a Stirling engine can generate mechanical work.
4. Biofuel is essentially sunlight converted into chemical energy with the help of plants' photosynthesis.

Considerations in using residential solar power

The 12 volt electricity is stored in large batteries. An inverter converts the stored electricity from 12 volt to 240 volts for household use.

Because solar panels are generally large, rectangular pieces of dull glass, they are not aesthetically pleasing. Homes are positioned to take advantage of sunlight streaming in windows; solar panels must be placed in a similar alignment. A row of nondescript glass panes will interfere with the first impression of the house, its façade and the landscape. This is dependent on architectural design to some extent, as the shape and contours of the panels can often be incorporated into avant-guard house styles, but will generally detract from neo-classical ones.