Solar Energy: From Basics to Beyond

Climate change is the greatest threat to our existence in our short history on this planet. Nobody’s going to buy their way out of its effects.

- Mark Ruffalo

When we burn oil, coal, and gas, to generate usable energy, we drive the current global warming crisis as well. Fossil fuels produce large quantities of carbon dioxide when burned. Carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to climate change. They also release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain.

We’re not locked into a fossil fuel future, however. We’ve made major progress in scaling up renewable energy and energy efficiency over the past decade. We’re also using energy much more efficiently than we used to. Renewable energy is now capable of providing reliable power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security, lower risk of fuel spills, and reduce the need for imported fuels.

The use of these renewable resources contributes to the more efficient use of their own potentials in energy production, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of fossil fuel imports, development of local industry and job creation. Renewable energy technologies are clean, which have a much less environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.

Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on Earth. It can be captured and used in several ways, and as a renewable energy source, is an important part of our clean energy future.

Each and every ray of sunshine does more for our planet than just providing light- it is also the fuel of our planet. Solar energy is the ultimate source responsible for all of our weather systems and energy sources on Earth, and enough solar radiation hits the surface of the planet each hour to theoretically fill our global energy needs for nearly an entire year.

Where does all of this energy come from? Our sun, like any star in the galaxy, is like a massive nuclear reactor. Deep in the Sun’s core, nuclear fusion reactions produce massive amounts of energy that radiates outward from the Sun’s surface and into space in the form of light and heat.

Solar power can be harnessed and converted to usable energy using photovoltaics (Solar Panels) or solar thermal collectors (Solar Heaters). Although solar energy only accounts for a small amount of overall global energy use, the falling cost of installing solar panels means that more and more people in more places can take advantage of solar energy. Solar is a clean, renewable energy resource, and figures to play an important part in the global energy future.

Solar energy is a very flexible energy technology: it can be built as distributed generation (located at or near the point of use- like on your own rooftop) or as a central, utility-scale solar power plant (similar to traditional power plants).

With the challenges facing humanity today, Solar Energy presents a viable option to generate electricity, reduce the damage caused to our environment, and prevent the depletion of resources. In the process, we create a new economy for local jobs, and give hope of a better planet for our future generations to inherit.