An Untapped Reservoir Of Eternal Energy: What Is Solar Energy?

The most exact definition of Solar Energy is plainly the energy from the sun. It is a term used to classify the electromagnetic radiation given off by the sun and tapped by the Earth. It is the worlds most enduring and reliable Reservoir of energy and the most ample.The uses of solar energy on earth include solar heating for buildings, solar heat for manufacturing or industry and electricity production. So what is solar energy? How does it affect us?

Solar energy is responsible for weather systems and ocean currents. It provides light, heat, and energy to all living things on Earth. It has many uses. It supplies electricity; it can be used to power cars.Solar energy is also used as a power for satellites in space and in space shuttles. It could also power boats, generators during emergencies, toys, and even security systems.

The amount of solar energy that the earth receives is about 770 trillion kilowatts (kW), an amount 5,000 times bigger than the sum of all other energy, may it be terrestrial nuclear energy, geothermal energy or gravitational energy.

There are two types of solar energy. These are:

1. Thermal Energy

2. Electric Energy

What is the difference between the two types of energy?

Thermal energy is kinetic energy. It is everywhere. It makes the earth hot and even heats up our homes. It helps us to dry our clothes. It is used as well to heat up water for house use or even swimming pools. That is why thermal energy is called the heat energy because it is stored in the center of the earth as well.

Electric energy is widely known to us as the electricity. It is an essential part of nature and it is one of our most widely used forms of energy. This uses sunlight to power ordinary electrical equipment, such as house appliances, computers, and lighting.

Most applications of solar energy count on systems including collectors, storage and controls. Storage is needed for a reason that solar energy is only available during daylight hours, but the need for energy exists both day and night. Controls are used to guarantee that the storage system works safely and efficiently.

The accessibility of solar energy is determined by three factors:

The location is usually measured by latitude, longitude and altitude.

The time.

The weather.

Aside from knowing that solar energy is a free energy still, you have to realize that it also has advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages are:

Solar energy is almost infinite; it will be available for as long as there are people living on the earth. It is plentiful. You will not worry about running out of it. It could provide more power than all the known fossil fuel reserves. Solar energy is usable during the day when electricity usage is really important. It is the most inexhaustible, renewable source of energy known to man. Solar energy can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted, and insulated. It can be collected and stored in batteries.

The disadvantages are:

It is not suitable in cloudy areas. It is not accessible at night time. And it may require large land areas.

As a reminder, solar energy levels are lower the farther north or south of the equator the site is. Considering geography, season is an essential determinant of solar energy levels because of the Suns position and the weather may vary greatly from summer to winter.Given all these points solar energy offers us a huge reservoir of available power (minus most of the fossil fuel pollution) with which we can advance the development of humanity.