Solar Energy - Is The Future
Scientists are not sure how much longer fossil fuels will last, given our current rates of consumption. Much of it depends on whether or not new sources of this type of energy are found, and how carefully we use what is left. Scientists do know that if we keep using fossil fuels as fast as we are now, they will run out before the end of this century.
An energy source, such as fossil fuels, that can be used up is called non-renewable. A renewable energy source is one that never runs out. The world cannot rely on fossil fuels as a source of energy for everything. We need to find other sources of safe, clean, renewable energy.
Solar power is the future. Around the world people are becoming more energy conscious. They know that safe, clean energy sources are available and more people are using solar technology as it improves and becomes more competitive with traditional energy sources.
One case study showed that a family using solar panels to make electricity and heat water for two years, saved 4.7 tons of coal from being burned and prevented 9.1 tons of greenhouse gases from polluting the air.
This is really cool stuff that wasn’t available just a few years ago, and it’s just waiting to be installed in, and on, your home. If you are new to solar power, below you will find a glossary of the terms used when discussing solar energy. We all need to become more familiar with the terminology of solar energy as we begin to utilize it in our lives.
Passive Solar Home - a house that uses a room, floor, or another part of the building as a solar collector. The room’s floor or walls (or both) collect thermal heat from the sun and store it for use in other parts of the home without the aid of pumps or fans.
Active Solar Home - a house that collects thermal heat in water or air, and then distributes that heat using pumps or fans.
Photovoltaic Cell - the smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light. Solar cell is another name for a photovoltaic cell.
Electrical Grid - a large distribution network-including towers, poles, and transmission lines that delivers electricity over a wide area.
Alternating Current (AC) - an electric current that reverses its direction of flow at regular intervals, usually many times per second; common house-hold current is AC.
Direct Current (DC) - an electrical current that flows in only one direction. It is the type of current produced by solar cells, and the only current that can be stored in a battery. Most of Europe uses direct current whereas the United States uses alternating current.
Inverter - a component that transforms the direct current (DC) flowing from a solar system or battery to alternating current (AC) for use in the home.
Net-Metering - the practice of exporting surplus solar power during the day to the electrical grid, which causes the homeowner’s electric meter to run backwards generating a credit on the owner’s electricity bill or an actual payment from the utility company.
Renewable energy technology is proven, affordable and adaptable to almost any situation, and the financial incentives for investing in solar power are about as sweet as they can be.
