Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the sun. This free accessible energy has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Still today, only a infinitesimal fraction of the available solar energy is used. Solar power provides electrical generation by means of heat engines or photovoltaics. Solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, day lighting, hot water, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0
Energy obtained from solar energy is clean. Clean energy from the sun can replace power sources that pollute the environment. The few emissions of greenhouse gases or air pollutants generated by solar energy technologies occur mostly during the manufacturing process. A 100-megawatt solar thermal electric power plant, over its 20-year life, will avoid more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when compared with the cleanest conventional fossil fuel-powered electric plants available today.
Many countries through several national and international institutes and agencies have started taking actions to reduce (or eliminate) the pollutant emissions and to attain a sustainable supply of energy. One way to achieve this is by using solar energy as much as possible. This is in compliance with the agreement signed in the December 1997 in International Kyoto Conference on climate change, where a list of fifteen concrete proposals emerged for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. The list includes, among others, the use of solar energy.
Energy is considered a prime agent in the generation of wealth and a significant factor in economic development. The importance of energy in economic development is recognized universally, and historical data verify that there is a strong relationship between the availability of energy and economic activity. Increase in economic activity also increases environmental problems. The growing evidence of environmental problems is due to a combination of several factors, since the environmental impact of human activities has grown dramatically. This is due to the increase of the world population, energy consumption and industrial activities.
The most important benefit of renewable energy systems is the decrease of environmental pollution, clean energy with no emissions or noise pollution, low operating and maintenance costs, emissions from manufacturing and construction are quickly offset, reliable systems, useful for grid connected and remote applications, modular systems that can be constructed to any size, and creation of new jobs.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0
The negative environmental impact of solar energy systems includes land displacement and possible air and water pollution resulting from manufacturing, normal maintenance operations and demolition of the systems. However, land use is not a problem when collectors are mounted on the roof of a building, the maintenance required is minimal and the pollution caused by demolition is not greater than the pollution caused from demolition of a conventional system of the same capacity.
It can, therefore, be concluded that solar energy systems are friendlier to the environment and offer significant protection of the environment. The reduction of greenhouse gases pollution is the main advantage of utilizing solar energy. Therefore, solar energy systems should be employed whenever possible in order to achieve a sustainable future, thus applying the slogan ”THINK GLOBALLY- ACT LOCALLY”.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0
Tags: benefits of solar energy, global greenhouse, greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gases, kyoto conference, pollutant emissions, prime agent, solar energy technologies, use of solar energy, using solar energy