Ghosts!

Solar power is a non-polluting, renewable, completely free and abundantly available energy source, and for many years now experts have been putting their minds to the question of how to best and most efficiently make use of it. Here are some basic points about solar power and about how it is being used at present.

Solar power can be used in a wide variety of different ways. It can be converted into electricity by means of photo voltaic cells, and it can also be used directly as a means of heat, for example for heating water. Using it directly in this way is frequently termed ‘passive solar’, whereas converting it into electricity is called ‘active solar’. One of the main limiting factors on the usefulness of solar power is the relatively weak form in which we receive it, so that if we are to make really effective use of it we need to find a way to concentrate it.

People have used solar power in passive systems for hundreds, even thousands, of years, for example in lighting fires, heating water, drying wood, and so on. Solar water heaters are now in use in many places where sunlight is available for most days in the year, and there are also solar power plants in existence, which concentrate the sun’s energy and generate large amounts of electricity. This kind of power plant is especially useful and economical in out of the way places where it is difficult to get conventional electricity. Solar power is even put to use in outer space, by satellites and space craft.

Recently, much interested has been generated in the idea of using solar power as a means to run power motor vehicles. This is still very much at an experimental stage. The huge amount of power required by a car’s engine would mean using very large solar panels. This is impractical due to the size and fragility of the panels. There is also the problem that when the sun is not shining, they wouldn’t run for very long. In this instance, we are along way from using solar power to run our cars.

Solar power is increasing in demand, however, it is not widely used. Although the technology is here, the cost of converting solar power into energy is prohibitive. However, with the continuing rising costs of fuel, it could become a viable alternative in the not too distant future. As more people become concerned on the environmental impact of using fuel, more will be looking for more greener and cleaner energy. As this demand increases manufacturers will find it more feasible to produce solar powered devices.