- published: 23 Apr 2015
- views: 110894
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar energy technologies include solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity and solar architecture, which can make considerable contributions to solving some of the most urgent problems the world now faces.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change, and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence the additional costs of the incentives for early deployment should be considered learning investments; they must be wisely spent and need to be widely shared".
How We Turn Solar Energy Into Electricity
Solar Energy
Can We Rely on Wind and Solar Energy?
Storing solar energy at home
Solar Power Revolution - Here Comes The Sun -- Documentary
CGEP: Future of Solar Energy
How to hook up Solar Panels (with battery bank) - simple 'detailed' instructions - DIY solar system
Storing solar energy in the strangest places: Will Chueh at TEDxStanford
Is your house is a good candidate for solar energy
Solar energy / Solar photovoltaics / Photovoltaic effect (3D animation)
Energy 101: Solar Power
Solar Energy As Fast As Possible
Bill Nye - How Stuff Works - Solar Energy
How Solar Energy Panels Work