Real Estate Innovation

Basics of Solar Power

Solar power is a free, non-polluting, renewable resource that is always available. For a long time, experts have been experimenting the most efficient methods of its use. Here are some basic facts on how it is currently being used.

Solar power can be used in a wide variety of different ways. It can be converted into electricity by means of photo voltaic cells, and it can also be used directly as a means of heat, for example for heating water. Using it directly in this way is frequently termed ‘passive solar’, whereas converting it into electricity is called ‘active solar’. One of the main limiting factors on the usefulness of solar power is the relatively weak form in which we receive it, so that if we are to make really effective use of it we need to find a way to concentrate it.

In its passive state, solar power has been used for centuries. It has been used for lighting fires, heating water and drying wood. Today, solar water heaters are widely used in places where the sun is available all year round. Addtitionally, there are in existence solar power plants which harness the sun’s energy and concentrate it enough to generate electricity. These power plants are very economical and useful in remote areas where conventional electricity plants are not feasible. It is even being used in satellites and space crafts.

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in using solar power to power motor vehicles. This however is still in the experimental stages. The problem is that a large amount of power is needed to supply the car’s engine and this would mean large solar panels. Large solar panels on a typical car are fragile and their size would also make them impractical. When the sun is not shining, these cars could only run for a short time, meaning that solar power is not yet able to run such vehicles. Also, the weather is not completely predictable and nobody wants their vehicle to come to a sudden stop with no way of restarting it until the sun decides to come out.

Solar power demand is on the up but right now the costs prevent it from being a widely used energy means. The technology is available but the cost of converting the solar power into energy is too high. Fuel costs are also rising however which means that solar power will be a viable alternative if this continues. Present day fuels also have an environmental impact and people are becoming more aware of this and want to find environmentally friendly alternatives using clean energy. Manufacturers will find it more feasible to produce solar powered devices because of this rising demand.