Solar Energy And Its Utilities

Collecting and converting usable energy from solar radiation can be accomplished by using several different forms of technology and it includes various direct and indirect modes of harnessing solar energy.

Among the simplest methods that people use solar heat energy is by employing greenhouses. A greenhouse is built so that it can fully collect the sunlight and heat that it receives from the sun. Using special type of glass or plastics, the greenhouse and everything within it retains the heat energy from the sun. This heat is in turn trapped inside the greenhouse by the roof and walls allowing the plants to grow in an otherwise too cold climate.

Another method to collect the energy from the sun is through direct photovoltaic conversion. Hence it means that the light is metamorphosed into electricity by using special materials called photodiodes that are made into cells. By using various arrays of the special cells and electrically connecting them together, enough power is harnessed by this transduction process to make it a alternative energy which is worthwhile.

Some advantages of Solar Energy are:
Solar energy is one of the renewable resources of energy. You don’t have to worry about running out of sunlight or using it all up. The sun is a consistent power source thus it means it's always going to be there every day.

Solar energy is an ecologically friendly energy. When compared to fossil fuels, which release greenhouses gases, carcinogens and carbon dioxide, solar cells on the other hand don't release anything of that sort into the air.
Solar panels are quite reliable. Moving parts are absent so you don't have to worry about replacing a thing. In fact, most people generate electricity for 1000s of hours with almost little or no maintenance.

Solar cells do not make any noise while collecting energy. Unlike solar energy there are no other renewable energy resources that are completely silent.

Also, solar electricity is cheaper when generated than buying it from the power company. There is a starting set up cost, but then it begins paying for itself. Everything after that is profit, once you break even. You can compare this to paying a monthly bill and getting no return on investment.

There is a variegated sphere of solar panel systems available. There is a solution accommodating all kinds of budgets depending on the customers.

You're not required to connect to the power grid too. You can enable yourself to be completely self sufficient and be off the grid. You can very well imagine never paying another monthly bill or hook-up charge.

You can even sell off the excess amount of electricity. If you have built a large enough solar panel system, you can make your electric meter spin backwards. Most power companies are eager to buy or credit you for this excess electricity.

Most governments provide with some kind of tax credit or incentive for people purchasing solar energy systems. On an average, rebates usually cover 20-30% of the system cost.

Solar technology is on a constant improvement curve. Solar installations are increasing at an incredible rate of 50% every year, most of which are all small homemade systems.