Clean Diesel

In Greek mythology sun deities were was known as Helios and Apollo. The sun-god Ra, was the first king of Egypt. In different manners, the sun has been worshiped throughout history and has also played a major role in some religions. The suns influence has been seen in Buddhism, Hinduism, and many of the native American tribes, to name a few. Solar energy has influenced mankind for centuries

The sun projects light and heat on our planet Earth. Its closeness is dramatic when seen in the daytime when all other stars can only be observed at night. This alone attests to its power of energy. Outdoor drying of our clothing is one insignificant example of the suns potential as an energy source. Plant life has depended on the suns rays for thousands of years in the production of food. The food that is not eaten becomes decayed and forms fossil fuel that we used in the form of oil, gas, and coal. Even nuclear energy can be traced to the power of sunlight. A nova, which is an exploded star, emits uranium atoms that are necessary in the production of nuclear energy.

The ways in which the suns energy can be used are limitless. As early as the 1890′s people in the United States using solar energy for heating hot water. It was a cleaner and cheaper alternative to wood and coal. The warmer and more sunny states were the first to make use of the suns energy for this purpose. Solar water heating panels were being put to use in homes more and more and by 1920 thousands of the panels were being sold. As more abundant supplies of gas and oil were discovered, the prices of these commodities were reduced and solar panels took a back seat to these fossil fuels. In modern times, solar energy is again being put to use as supplies of natural fuels are being used up.

Electricity is another horizon being developed with the use of solar energy. Located in California’s Mojave Desert, one can find row upon row of solar mirrors. These mirrors are called parabolic troughs as they collect sunlight in a specific way. The suns heat becomes so intense that it can boil water and the resulting steam in turn will power a turbine to produce electricity. Other forms of power plants, some still in the experimental stage, are focusing their efforts toward greater efficiency in the production of electricity.

Photovoltaic cells, referred to as PV cells, are capable of changing sunlight into electricity. When the sun hits one of these solar cells, or PV’s, electron are loosened and then they move to a treated front surface that creates an imbalance between the two surfaces. As if there were a wire joining them, the surfaces act as a connector and electricity will flow from the positive and negative sides. Tracking devices allow these modules to follow sunlight for an entire day collecting more and more energy.

This direct form of energy, from solar cell to electricity, is immediately available for use. In our homes, it can tun on our lights and run our appliances. Businesses can even store electricity in batteries for use in illuminating billboards during hours of darkness. Roadside emergency cell phones can also be ran with an energy stored battery.

The newest experimentation with use of PV cells is in the automobile. The conversion of sunlight to energy will power the electric motors on these new cars. Just imagine what a clean burning fuel such as electricity can do for the smog filled cities, and the factory emissions that pollute the air we breathe. Solar energy is no longer only collected through solar panels far in outer space. Modern technology is only on the cusp of the number of uses for solar energy and with continued research it is inevitable that more and more uses will be implemented.

Harnessing the power of wind is now being used for the purpose of making electricity. The more wind there is, the more electricity can be made. Wind Generator Research The power of the wind has worked for mankind for many centuries.