I’ve recently started riding my bike to work. I wish I could say I’m doing it for my health, but the real reason I bike 10 miles every day is because gas prices,www.gasbuddy.com are out of control. Riding my bike to work has given me a new appreciation of nature, and I’ve begun to think more about solar power as an option to non-renewable, harmful energy sources.
Solar energy works in many ways, but the two most common ways to harness energy from the sun are through solar panels and solar thermal collectors. Solar panels are comprised of photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate electricity as soon as they are exposed to sunlight. The electricity can then be harnessed and used wherever energy is needed, such as in your home, car, or office.
Solar thermal collectors use flat plates, mirrors, or lenses to absorb the heat from the sun. That sunlight is then converted into energy that can be used to heat water or small spaces. The electricity produced by the thermal collectors can also be stored for later use.
I hope more people will consider solar power as an energy source for the future. Along with being completely renewable, solar power doesn’t cause pollution or require expensive technology to convert sunlight into usable energy.
