The light from the sun is a renewable source of fuel that is either passive or active. Passive ways of capturing it include construction that uses materials with light dispersing components. The interior of a home can be designed to cause air to circulate naturally. There are also active ways to use solar energy.
One active method uses photovoltaic panels built on roofs to collect sun power and convert it to electricity. If the home is in a warm climate state, that can provide all the power needed in the house. In cold climate states such as massachusetts, the homeowner must be connected to a grid. That way he can purchase power from the local electric company in the winter.
Photovoltaic panels and their installation were once too expensive for the average homeowner to buy. The decrease in cost is due to its popularity increasing production. Now the initial investment is worth the cost. The panels are functional for more than two decades once they are installed.
In addition there are government subsidies available for those who meet certain criteria. The savings can be in the form of paying for part of the installation, or giving a tax deduction to the family that owns the home. Over the twenty five year period, those panels can result in significant savings.
Only half of the light that emanates from the sun gets to the ground on earth. The amount of incoming radiation is 174,000 terawatts, thirty percent of which is reflected upwards. The rest is absorbed by the oceans, clouds and ground. It serves to raise temperatures in the environment.
A famous United States inventor developed the concept of using light from the sun to convert to electricity. This engineer, Frank Shuman built a sun powered engine. How it functioned was by reflecting the energy from the sun into small boxes of ether. The resultant power ran a steam engine.
Together with a British physicist, Sir Charles Vernon Boys, Shuman developed an advanced system using mirrors. They built the original thermal power station in 1913. Development of solar power was curtailed when cheap oil was discovered in the early 1930s.
Two decades from now the kids of today will be the inventors of the future. If they grow excited about alternative energy who knows what they will be able to do. As they see the large orange signs along the freeway, explanations about how they light up will pique their interest.
Tell them how there are photovoltaic panels mounted on top of these signs. Explain that is the reason they do not need to be plugged in to light up. The cars that run on solar power are bound to capture their interest. Someday these kids will be inventing new designs for alternative energy utilization.
Do you know about the World Solar Challenge held in Australia? It is a race entered only by cars running on energy from the sun. That country also has a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor, which runs on sun, wind or battery power. It can run on diesel fuel, but only on cloudy days.
Advancements continue in creating new ways to use the energy of the sun. It is a wide open field for engineers and research scientists. One kid in each classroom may invent something fabulous in fifteen years.
One active method uses photovoltaic panels built on roofs to collect sun power and convert it to electricity. If the home is in a warm climate state, that can provide all the power needed in the house. In cold climate states such as massachusetts, the homeowner must be connected to a grid. That way he can purchase power from the local electric company in the winter.
Photovoltaic panels and their installation were once too expensive for the average homeowner to buy. The decrease in cost is due to its popularity increasing production. Now the initial investment is worth the cost. The panels are functional for more than two decades once they are installed.
In addition there are government subsidies available for those who meet certain criteria. The savings can be in the form of paying for part of the installation, or giving a tax deduction to the family that owns the home. Over the twenty five year period, those panels can result in significant savings.
Only half of the light that emanates from the sun gets to the ground on earth. The amount of incoming radiation is 174,000 terawatts, thirty percent of which is reflected upwards. The rest is absorbed by the oceans, clouds and ground. It serves to raise temperatures in the environment.
A famous United States inventor developed the concept of using light from the sun to convert to electricity. This engineer, Frank Shuman built a sun powered engine. How it functioned was by reflecting the energy from the sun into small boxes of ether. The resultant power ran a steam engine.
Together with a British physicist, Sir Charles Vernon Boys, Shuman developed an advanced system using mirrors. They built the original thermal power station in 1913. Development of solar power was curtailed when cheap oil was discovered in the early 1930s.
Two decades from now the kids of today will be the inventors of the future. If they grow excited about alternative energy who knows what they will be able to do. As they see the large orange signs along the freeway, explanations about how they light up will pique their interest.
Tell them how there are photovoltaic panels mounted on top of these signs. Explain that is the reason they do not need to be plugged in to light up. The cars that run on solar power are bound to capture their interest. Someday these kids will be inventing new designs for alternative energy utilization.
Do you know about the World Solar Challenge held in Australia? It is a race entered only by cars running on energy from the sun. That country also has a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor, which runs on sun, wind or battery power. It can run on diesel fuel, but only on cloudy days.
Advancements continue in creating new ways to use the energy of the sun. It is a wide open field for engineers and research scientists. One kid in each classroom may invent something fabulous in fifteen years.
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To save money with solar energy Massachusetts homeowners should first review the essential information on the Web. Get expert advice about solar panels from this recommended source http://www.youtube.com/user/RevoluSunBurlington.
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