The two ways the light of the sun can be used are categorized as passive or active. The passive techniques include building methods that use materials that have thermal mass with light dispersing components. Space inside a building can be designed to circulate the air in a natural way. Solar energy, used actively collects the sunlight using Photovoltaic panels.
One active method uses photovoltaic panels built on roofs to collect sun power and convert it to electricity. If the home is in a warm climate state, that can provide all the power needed in the house. In cold climate states such as massachusetts, the homeowner must be connected to a grid. That way he can purchase power from the local electric company in the winter.
Photovoltaic panels and their installation were once too expensive for the average homeowner to buy. The decrease in cost is due to its popularity increasing production. Now the initial investment is worth the cost. The panels are functional for more than two decades once they are installed.
Some homeowners will be eligible for government subsidies. They can receive a cash rebate or a deduction on their income taxes. The panels will be financially beneficial with or without the subsidies.
About fifty percent of light and heat emanating from the sun reaches the surface of planet Earth. Of the 174,000 terawatts of incoming radiation, thirty percent is reflected back into space. Clouds, oceans and ground absorb the rest. This absorption serves to raise temperatures.
Solar energy is a concept developed by a famous United States inventor. Frank Shuman was an engineer who built a small sun powered engine. It reflected the suns energy into square boxes of ether. This in turn powered a steam engine.
Along with a British physicist, he went on to develop a more advanced system that used mirrors. By 1913 they had built the original thermal power station, located in Maadi, Egypt. Development of power from the sun was curtailed by the discovery of cheap oil in 1930.
Two decades from now the kids of today will be the inventors of the future. If they grow excited about alternative energy who knows what they will be able to do. As they see the large orange signs along the freeway, explanations about how they light up will pique their interest.
Tell them how there are photovoltaic panels mounted on top of these signs. Explain that is the reason they do not need to be plugged in to light up. The cars that run on solar power are bound to capture their interest. Someday these kids will be inventing new designs for alternative energy utilization.
Kids should be excited to hear about the World Solar Challenge, a race held in Australia. This race only allows the use of cars that run on energy from the sun. In Sydney, Australia there is a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor. It has the capability to run on solar energy, wind, battery power or diesel fuel.
There are so many inventions and so much research into the use of sun power. It is an exciting time. Who knows, some kid might enter a sun powered robot in the next science fair, or possibly has already done so.
One active method uses photovoltaic panels built on roofs to collect sun power and convert it to electricity. If the home is in a warm climate state, that can provide all the power needed in the house. In cold climate states such as massachusetts, the homeowner must be connected to a grid. That way he can purchase power from the local electric company in the winter.
Photovoltaic panels and their installation were once too expensive for the average homeowner to buy. The decrease in cost is due to its popularity increasing production. Now the initial investment is worth the cost. The panels are functional for more than two decades once they are installed.
Some homeowners will be eligible for government subsidies. They can receive a cash rebate or a deduction on their income taxes. The panels will be financially beneficial with or without the subsidies.
About fifty percent of light and heat emanating from the sun reaches the surface of planet Earth. Of the 174,000 terawatts of incoming radiation, thirty percent is reflected back into space. Clouds, oceans and ground absorb the rest. This absorption serves to raise temperatures.
Solar energy is a concept developed by a famous United States inventor. Frank Shuman was an engineer who built a small sun powered engine. It reflected the suns energy into square boxes of ether. This in turn powered a steam engine.
Along with a British physicist, he went on to develop a more advanced system that used mirrors. By 1913 they had built the original thermal power station, located in Maadi, Egypt. Development of power from the sun was curtailed by the discovery of cheap oil in 1930.
Two decades from now the kids of today will be the inventors of the future. If they grow excited about alternative energy who knows what they will be able to do. As they see the large orange signs along the freeway, explanations about how they light up will pique their interest.
Tell them how there are photovoltaic panels mounted on top of these signs. Explain that is the reason they do not need to be plugged in to light up. The cars that run on solar power are bound to capture their interest. Someday these kids will be inventing new designs for alternative energy utilization.
Kids should be excited to hear about the World Solar Challenge, a race held in Australia. This race only allows the use of cars that run on energy from the sun. In Sydney, Australia there is a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour called the Solar Sailor. It has the capability to run on solar energy, wind, battery power or diesel fuel.
There are so many inventions and so much research into the use of sun power. It is an exciting time. Who knows, some kid might enter a sun powered robot in the next science fair, or possibly has already done so.
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To save money with solar energy MA residents should first review the essential information online. Get expert advice about solar panels from this recommended source http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yapEzxng7mA.