Can Solar Energy Benefit You And Your Lifestyle?

By Julie Manther

Solar energy is heavily promoted for its ability to produce a clean form of energy production. It does not pollute the environment and therefor considered a very green technology.

Thermal conversion and photovoltaic conversion are the two methods of solar energy used today. Using the heat of the sun to make electricity is known as solar conversion. Specialized material that can directly turn sunlight into electricity is involved in photovoltaic conversion.

Sunlight is necessary to solar conversion as the name implies. Sunlight Powered This also uses reflectors and mirrors to create large amounts of heat from exposure to the sun. (Thermal energy is a type of energy). The method used to start fires with a magnifying glass is called solar thermal conversion. The magnifying glass lens concentrates the suns rays to create a pinpoint of intense heat. Actual solar cells used to store heat use this method to superheat liquids that produce steam. The steam produced can turn a turbine and produce electricity.

Photovoltaic Conversion is a big scientific term for light that is converted into energy. Photovoltaic cells usually consist of panels, which contain two layers of different materials. When the two layers are touched by light, one layer gets a positive charge, while the second layer gets a negative charge. Very much like a regular battery, which has a positive end and a negative end, when a wire connects the two ends, they produce an electric current. When the two layers of material in a solar cell are exposed to light, an electric current is created.

The efficiency of a single solar cell is determined by its exposure to direct sunlight. Both time and intensity of sunlight will play a factor.

These days you can find many different products that are solar powered. Solar power offers many benefits including the fact that it can be portable, and that it protects the earth.

As stated earlier, anytime someone uses a handheld or lighted magnifying glass to get a fire going, have used solar energy.

The tools currently on the market save more power and produce better results than previous models. The use of solar power now and in the future is extremely bright and promising. - 31812

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