RENEWABLE ENERGY - SOLAR
Harnessing solar energy is not a new concept. For thousands of years humanity received much of its energy source by way of nuclear fusion occurring 93 million miles away, i.e. the sun. The amount of sunlight hitting the earth is enormous. It has been calculated that the sunlight that intersects the earth in 24 hours is more energy than all the conventional oil that has been or ever will be extracted. There are many benefits of solar energy. It is pollution free while in use, it can be very economical depending on how it is used, and it is for all purposes inexhaustible.
There have been many technologies developed to make use of solar radiation. The three main areas of application are:
Solar heating - active & passive
Solar water heating
Solar electricity
Whether you are interested in solar heating or solar electricity, your site access to solar is crucial. Daylighting is the only area that does not need direct sun light. In fact, too much direct light can create undesired glare. To determine whether you have a good solar site, it is best to contact a professional. Many solar installers will do a site evaluation for you, with the cost applied against the cost of the system sould you decide to go ahead with the project. To find a good solar dealer, you can go to Find Solar. Remember to inquire into their solar/electrical qualifications and the experience they have in projects of your type. You should also check their references as well as talk to those in the community who have already gone solar.
