How is Solar Energy Harnessed
In simple words, solar energy is nothing but sunlight. Without solar energy, life would not have been possible on earth. The energy produced by the sun has been providing life to numerous living creatures on earth. Sun is the major and primary source of energy in the solar system. It is a source of both life and light. The plenty and renewable resource of the energy produced by the sun is free, available and invincible. Mankind has harnessed the solar energy and is making efficient use of it and thus reaping its numerous benefits. Solar energy is one of the easily usable and most convenient renewable resources that are available.
Previously, the sun was the only source of energy that was available to sustain life on the earth. It is the oldest form of energy that mankind has been using. With the rise in the level of consumption and use of energy in the world these days increasing pollution and the inevitable consequences of that like greenhouse effect and acid rain have become possible threats to the earth’s environment. This is one of the major reasons why, solar energy and other alternative sources of energy are gaining increasing importance. It is anticipated by many, that solar energy due to its many advantages is likely to substitute other forms of polluting energy sources.
The entire process of converting the energy produced by the sun into a usable form of energy includes conversion, storage and harnessing of the sun rays. The rays of the sun are converted, stored and harnessed in such a form so that it can be used for the proper functioning of the energy consuming appliances. This vast source of renewable and clean energy can be converted and harnessed to meet the electricity and heat requirements. Basically there are three major technologies, which are used to harness the potential of the solar energy. They are solar photovoltaic cells, active solar heating systems and passive solar design.
The solar photovoltaic cells directly convert sunlight into electricity. The active solar heating systems use collectors, which are usually installed on the roofs of buildings. These collectors are used to absorb the radiation of the sun and transfer it in order to heat water in a tank. Lastly, the technology of the passive solar design has been designed and modified to trap more of the natural heat of the sun during winter and to avoid overheating during summer. Being geographically dispersed, solar energy has the capacity to cater to the human energy requirements mote than the other sources of energy.
There are numerous and varieties of ways in which solar energy can be converted and used, depending upon the technology that is used to harness the solar energy. For example, for the purpose of drying clothes, direct sunlight is more than enough, whereas, for the purpose of powering satellites, a storage mechanism is needed along with direct sunlight. On the other hand, cars use a combination of hybrid batteries and charge them using sunlight. With every passing day and with the advancement of science and technology, more and more optimized and advanced methods of harnessing solar energy are being developed, in order to use the sun’s energy to its full potential. |
