WHAT IS SOLAR??
Solar is type of energy that is
derived from the suns rays. The light and the heat provided by the sun is
“collected” or harnessed by solar panels and then converted into a more useful
form of energy.
There are two main forms of solar
energy –
Passive Solar Energy
Passive solar energy is solar
power in its most archaic and practical form. Basically, the suns energy is
being used as is for lighting or heating purposes. For example, using a solar
blanket to heat a pool or using solar panels to redirect light onto an
agricultural crop would both be examples of passive solar energy.
Active
Solar Energy
On the other hand, active solar
energy uses photovoltaic technology. The main purpose of photovoltaic is to
harness the energy from the sun and then use special semiconductors to convert
it to usable direct current energy. Large solar farms and solar panels on top
of peoples homes used for energy generation are examples of active solar
energy. When people ask, “What is solar energy?” this is what they usually
think of.
Solar energy will be one of the
main sources of renewable energy in the future that we must harness. There are
no limits in terms of its application and it is incredibly reliable and cost
effective.
