Introduction:

Solar energy is the energy received by the earth from the

sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.
Solar energy influences Earths climate and weather and
sustains life. Although solar energy only provides 0.15% of
the worlds power, experts believe that sunlight has the
potential to supply 5000 time as much energy as the world
currently consumes.
Broadly speaking, solar energy is a term for describing a
range of methods for obtaining energy from the sun. For
instance, wind, biomass and hydropower are all forms of
solar energy.
Wind develops through lows and highs in temperature. Wind
drives waves. Rainfall, created by sun-warmed evaporated
water feeds the rivers that are sources of hydro power. Fossil
fuels are also forms of stored solar energy. Coal, oil and gas
formed hundreds of millions of years ago from decomposed
plant matter. Plant matter that grew by aid of the sun

Important Applications of Solar Energy in Modern

Days
Some of the important applications of solar energy are
summarized below:
(i) Space cooling and heating through solar architecture,
(ii) Potable water via distillation and disinfection,
(iii) Solar cooking,
(iv) Solar hot water,
(v) Day lighting,
(vi) High temperature process heat for industrial purposes,
(vii) Solar air-conditioning,
(viii) Solar desalination,
(ix) Solar electricity photovoltaic,
(x) Solar electricity thermal,
(xi) Solar vehicles,
(xii) Solar chimney

Uses of Solar Energy

The use of solar energy for space heating of
buildings :
The architecturial design of the buildings helps in their
passive space heating using solar Energy. Following
strategies are useful for passive space heating:
(a) Provide large south-facing windows
(b) Provide an entire wall of double-glazed windows.
(c) Provide a heavy dark-coloured south facing wall behind a
layer of glass, with room air circulating by convection
between the wall and the glass.
(d) Provide a flat roof covered by a pond of water. Provision
should be there for an insulating screen cover for cooling
requirement in summer.

Advantages of Solar

Solar energy is a resource that is not only sustainable for

energy consumption, it is indefinitely renewable (at least
until the sun runs out in billions of years). Solar power can be
used to generate electricity, it is also used in relatively
simple technology to heat water (solar water heaters). The
use of skylights in home construction can also greatly reduce
energy expenditure required to light rooms in a homes
interior during the day.

Solar panels also require little maintenance. After installation

and optimization they are very reliable due to the fact that
they actively create electricity in just a few millimeters and
do not require any type of mechanical parts that can fail.
Solar panels are also a silent producer of energy, a necessity
if dealing with picky neighbors. The federal government has
also introduced generous tax credits for individuals and
companies that invest in solar and other clean energy
systems.

Disadvantages of Solar

The primary disadvantage of solar power is that it obviously

cannot be created during the night. The power generated is
also reduced during times of cloud cover (although energy is
still produced on a cloudy day). Solar panel energy output is
maximized when the panel is directly facing the sun. This
means that panels in a fixed location, such as the building
above, will see a reduced energy production when the sun is
not at an optimal angle. Many largescale solar "farms"
combat this problem by having the panels on towers (above
left) that can track the sun to keep the panel at optimal
angles throughout the day.

Even todays most efficient solar cells only convert just over
20% of the suns rays to electricity. With increased advances
in solar cell technology this number is likely to increase.
Besides their low conversion efficiency, solar panels can be a
substantial initial investment. However, the cost of solar
panels incurred is only the initial cost, after buying and
installation they create free energy for use.

Conclusion
Solar energy is the future source of energy. In order to save
the future generation from the harmful effects of fossil fuel,
efforts are required at international level to promote the use
of solar energy for domestic and industrial purpose. Reliance

on solar energy shall have its positive effects on the

environment as well.

Bibliography

Research Corporation; Solar Dwelling Design Concepts;

Washington, D.C.
AIA

Asimov, Isaac; Understanding Physics: The Electron, Proton,

and Neutron; Scarborough, Quebec: New American Library of
Canada Ltd.; 1969
Clark, Wilson; Energy for Survival: The Alternative to
Extinction; Garden City, NY: Anchor Press; 1974
Duffie, John A. & Beckman, William A.; Solar Energy Thermal
Processes; New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons; 1974

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