From the ancient period man has been using solar energy in daily life for various activities. Plants produce energy through photosynthesis by using sunlight. Solar energy stored in plants is available after millions of years as fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Therefore these are called non renewable energy resources.
The sun is 93 million km away and yet this ball of hot gases is the primary source of all energy on the earth. Solar energy can be used for cooking food, heating water, and generating electricity. It is hoped that the energy source of the future will be solar energy. Today solar energy is particularly used in equatorial and tropical regions which receive more solar radiation. In general we use solar energy in two systems.
Solar photo voltaic power system:
Here solar radiation is transformed into electricity through the solar cells made up of silicon. We can produce required electricity by fixing silicon cells on roof top of the houses and industries.
Solar thermal energy system:
By using solar thermal collectors the heat received from the sun can be converted into thermal energy. By concentrating solar radiation various thermal devices like solar coolers, water heaters, solar dryers and solar refrigerators etc., can be operated.
Merits:
- It is a renewable resource
- It is available throughout the world particularly in equatorial and tropical regions where there is no scarcity for solar radiation.
- There is no environmental pollution
- Electricity produced by solar energy can be stored in batteries and used when it is needed.
- Sunlight and its heat are available freely without any expense.
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