How Does Solar Energy Work?

How does solar energy work? The answers are as simple as you warming up in the sun and plants growing in your garden.

And it’s as complex as using solar panels and photovoltaic cells to make electricity. Solar energy power. It's as complex as the human beings that use it.

Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Eventually they became the fossil fuels that we now use so abundantly. On this page I will focus on human-made solar energy applications in answering part ofyour question: how does solar energy work?

Even then, answering “how does solar energy work?” completely will somewhat depend on the purpose and type of application used to harness solar energy. Some of those aspects are covered more fully elsewhere (diy solar heating). And of course you must have broader solar energy information too.

So, you’re ready to go through this with me now? How does solar energy work?

Solar energy can be direct or indirect, or active or passive. How does solar energy work" is a question of which the answers can be classified also by focus type.

First, there are two approaches towards solar energy conversion into energy we may use, both involving the use of a solar panel. Let’s start with those shall we? These are
Solar thermal and Photovoltaic Solar thermal

The solar thermal method uses energy from the sun directly to generate heat. Solar panels can be used to collect heat from the sun to capture its heat and transfer it for water and space heating in buildings.

Commonly such panels are positioned to maximise absorption of heat from the sun throughout the day and contain tubing through which water circulates. This tubing is known as solar thermal collectors There is also an indirect method where not water but a non-toxic anti-freeze liquid is used. The sun warms this liquid which in turn transfers this heat to water held in a tank. Passive thermal building design is as simple as designing to maximise the sun’s use.Photovoltaic

This method converts the sun’s power into electricity. This is the photovoltaic process.
Solar cells, or photovoltaic cells are often silicon-based pieces of material that absorb the sun’s light. Not warmth, as in the thermal application
Many of these solar cells are often combined in solar panels
Numbers of solar panels can be combined and interlinked for greater power
Solar energy excites the electrons in the solar cell and electricity is produced
This electricity is in the form of direct current or DC
DC however is not useable for most common purposes
So, next DC power is transformed through an inverter to alternating current, or AC at 120 Volt, a common-use voltage
A small amount of solar energy is lost in this DC to AC conversion but is now ready for distribution to household appliancesnight time use and reduced sunlight
You may be connected to the regular power grid. It may be possible to feed any excess energy that your batteries cannot hold, back to the grid. In this way you may become a green contributor to a public utility.

A further classification that I need to cover in answering your question How does solar energy work? is this one.
Direct and indirect solar energy

Direct solar energy

Using direct solar power involves only one step in transforming it to useable energy, its electromagnetic radiation. Some examples of direct solar energy include
Sunlight striking a solar cell by which electricity is immediately generated
Sunlight that is absorbed by the dark surface warms water in solar thermal collectors
Sunlight absorbed by a fibre optic cable that is fixed on the exterior of a building and lights the inside
Amazingly a solar sail on a spacecraft can move it through the direct force of sunlight. How does solar energy work? Mysteriously it seems sometimes.

Indirect solar energy

You probably guessed it! This process involves more than one step from sunlight to useable energy. Here are some examples
I mentioned photosynthesis already. Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, including carbon. Biofuel can be made from them as well as methane gas and hydrogen without waiting billions of years for them to turn into fossil fuels, a very indirect method indeed!
Hydroelectric dams and wind turbines derive energy from solar-caused wind, rain and other climatic interactions
Ocean thermal energy is indirect too through its solar-caused differences in temperatures at various depths and wave movement by the wind

After all this, I still have not answered your question: "What is solar energy?" as fully as I might. So, keep moving along with me please…
Active and passive solar energy systems

Passive

A passive system only requires direct sunlight without the aid of any other energy. Sunlight warming an area through a window for example is used in housing and hothouses. Passive solar water heaters for instance use no pump to circulate its water.

Active

And yes, active systems do use the aid of energy besides that of the sun to make them work. Active systems may have electronic tracking devices to maximise sunlight absorption. They may use electric pumps, air blowers, shutters and so on. They can be computer-controlled.

Another way of answering "How does solar energy work?" is by focus type of the solar collector.
Focus types

When very high temperatures are required from solar radiation, its normally diffuse, non-concentrated, light is not enough. Solar energy applications can therefore also be classified as
Point focus
Line focus
Non-focus

Point focus

A saucer-shaped, or parabolic, dish is used to focus diffuse sunlight into a concentrated point of solar radiation. At this point a cluster of solar cells, or a thermal energy receiver convert this radiation into electricity.

Line focus

Same principle as point focus except that here a trough shaped parabolic dish or line of mirrors concentrate the sun’s light which is then converted into electricity.

Non-focus

These systems are those we most commonly think of as solar collectors. Solar thermal panels and solar cell panels are among these. It is an advantage that these systems can use diffuse sun light without further adaptation as above. Concentrating sunlight is of course a more indirect use of solar energy. And greater technological complexity often means higher costs.

Well, that’s it. The basics of how solar energy works. Of course this is only one bit of knowledge that you need if you want to choose the best solar hot water heater, solar energy unit, or even a solar backpack!

You also need to know more if you wish to make your own solar energy system.

Wait, there’s more…

Remember, asking how does solar energy work is not enough. Not if you want a truly sustainable world where all people flourish.

A friend of mine, who is a mother of a son with a disability, visited my web site. Not because she wanted to know theanswers to how does solar energy work? She asked me to expand on "the link between disability and environment" and "how we're all 'cactus' if we don't get our act together and start to take care of one another". My sentiments exactly. I’ll keep reminding you of that.

There’s an art to living with limits, dependency and fragility. Focus on that, take direct action and don’t be passive. It’s called sustainable living.

7 Simple Ways to Travel Green

Everyday we are reminded that global warming has become a major issue worldwide. We all would like to be good global citizens but many times do not know what changes to make. DestinationVillas Editor, Tori Milan offers 7 simple ways be good green travelers. Sustainable tourism covers a variety of criteria, from low environmental impact and energy use to respect for the culture and well-being of the local population.




There is more than one way to travel green. Eco-Friendly travel (ecotravel) is tourism that promotes a sustainable environment. By its nature, travel can be both an opportunity for people to experience the environment they visit and at the same time is a threat to it. Destination Villas offers the seven sustainable travel tips.



1. Travel less and stay longer. Air travel leaves the largest carbon footprint than any other form of travel. If you must fly, do it fewer times per year and stay longer, or travel closer to home.



2. Don’t fly at night. Dr. Piers Forster from Leeds University has discovered that trails of condensation from aircraft - contrails - have a greater warming effect at night, trapping heat but without reflecting any of the sun's rays back into the atmosphere as they do during the day.

3. Leave no trace. Enjoy the beautiful places on the plant but be mindful that your very presence damage it. Do not pick flowers, take rocks or break coral. Don’t liter. Be familiar with cultural mores prior to arrival be respectful of cultural practices.



4. All transportation requires the combustion of fuel, so the greenest thing you can do is use public transporation. When possible, try taking the train or bus instead of flying. If you're driving, try to get as many people in the car as possible, instead of taking multiple vehicles. Always rent a hybrid vehicle.



5. Visit eco-friendly destinations that use renewable energy sources: visit Burlington, Vermont, Dry Tortugas National Park or Vail, Colorado.



6. Choose eco-friendly lodging. There is a wide variety of eco-friendly lodging these days. Start with the Green Hotel Association and EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com or DestinationVillas.com.



7. Shop local: Head to local markets, where you can purchase fresh food from local vendors. This benefits the community by increasing their economy, and you will get fresh fruits and veggies and maybe even some handmade souvenirs. Never buy products made from endangered species.

Solar cooking is the simplest, safest, most convenient way to cook food without consuming fuels or heating up the kitchen. Many people choose to solar cook for

these reasons. But for hundreds of millions of people around the world who cook over fires fueled by wood or dung, and who walk for miles to collect wood or spend much of their meager incomes on fuel, solar cooking is more than a choice — it is a blessing. For millions of people who lack access to safe drinking water and become sick or die each year from preventable waterborne illnesses, solar water pasteurization is a life-saving skill. The World Health Organization reports that in 23 countries 10% of deaths are due to just two environmental risk factors: unsafe water, including poor sanitation and hygiene; and indoor air pollution due to solid fuel use for cooking.There are numerous reasons to cook the natural way — with the sun.

• Many poverty-stricken families worldwide spend 25% or more of their income on cooking fuel. Sunlight — solar cooker "fuel" — is free and abundant. Money saved can be used for food, education, health care, etc.
• Solar cooker businesses can provide extra income. Opportunities include cooker manufacturing, sales and repair, as well as solar food businesses like restaurants and bakeries.
• Even residents of developed countries can save a great deal of money on cooking and air conditioning costs. See Cost savings from solar cooking
• At moderate solar cooking temperatures food doesn't need to be stirred and won't burn — food can simply be placed in a solar cooker and left to cook, unattended, for several hours while other activities are pursued. In the right circumstances it is possible to put a solar cooker out in the morning and return home in the late afternoon to a hot meal ready to eat.
• Pots used for solar cooking are easy to clean — a fact especially valuable for people who must walk many kilometers to collect water.
• Many solar cookers are portable, allowing for solar cooking at work sites or while pursuing outdoor activities like picnics, trekking or camping. 
• Many solar cookers can be used to disinfect dry medical supplies such as medical instruments, bandages and other cloth materials, as well as to heat compresses.
• Indoor air pollution from cooking fires leads to childhood pneumonia, responsible for over four million deaths per year. Solar cookers are smoke-free.
• Preventable waterborne diseases are responsible for 80% of all illnesses and deaths in the developing world. Solar cookers can be used at the household level to pasteurize water and milk, making them safe to drink. A Water pasteurization indicator (WAPI) can be used with a solar cooker (or traditional cooking apparatus) to determine whether water has been sufficiently heated to be safe to drink.

Alternative Energy

Alternative energy is energy that is renewable and is obtained from the Sun, wind, waves, or other natural sources. This is in direct contrast to energy that is obtained by fossil fuels such as oil, gas, or coal that is not renewable.
Alternative energy is a non-traditional method of obtaining energy that has a minimum impact on the Earths environment. Alternative energy is, by its very nature, economically easy on the environment and does not have a damaging effect on
the planet.

Due to record high gas prices and increasing concerns about the health of the planet and the long term viability of fossil fuels, alternative energy has been thrust to the forefront of numerous peoples’ ideas. Numerous companies and individuals are searching for efficient manners to use alternative energy and lessen our dependence on imported oil and fuel. On that point are numerous concerns that the present supply of fossil fuels will not last, conducting to a disaster of catastrophic proportions. Alternative energy is the key to becoming a more autonomous and independent as a nation, as well as the exclusive manner to assure the safety of the planet and the long term health of its citizens.
In that respect are numerous various roots of alternative energy that can be practiced very efficaciously. Geothermal energy makes energy from using the heat from beneath the Earth’s surface and gathering heat from the atmosphere or oceans. Most use a process named flash steam. Solar energy converts sunlight into energy using photovoltaic panels. There are numerous experts around the country that can install these panels to switch the sunlight into usable energy.

Another renewable energy source for alternative energy is air current energy. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the Sun. Wind energy rules this energy by using wind turbines to change wind power into a usable energy source. Wave power is another method of alternative energy that uses the oceans surface waves to generate electricity and also to desalinate water. Wave power can not be controlled just anywhere but there are several places around the world that are first-rate generators of wave power including Northern Canada, the seacoasts of west Scotland, south Africa, Australia, and the northwest coast of the United States.
Alternative energy is widely accessible and has grown very user friendly in past years. It is a workable way for a somebody to get more self sufficient while doing their own role to minimize the pressure on the Earth as well as reduce the depletion of fossil fuels and get rid of our reliance upon foreign countries for our energy requires.

The Process of Glass Bottle Recycling in Europe

Glass bottle recycling in Europe is prepared simple for the residents of the UK and other regions of Europe. In the UK alone there are over 7,000 banks for citizenry to deposit their recycled bottles. Glass bottle recycling in Europe is therefore uncomplicated; simply pick up your bottles and throw them off at the bank on your shopping trip. Special trucks are built up to discharge the full banks into separate compartments to sort the colors. Once the trucks are full from the bottle deposits they go to the processing plants in Europe. In the UK, one such processing plant is in South Yorkshire.

Most glass bottle recycling in Europe done on a everyday base collects over 250,000 bottles each hour. The bottles are stored in bays after being sorted by color until they are ready to be processed. From there the bottles are loaded onto a conveyer where they will be carried from one section of the processing plant to other. Recycling is big business, and creates jobs for people. Though there is automation in the processing, people do have to oversee the glass bottle recycling in Europe. Workers are in position to do a manual sorting of the recyclate, because even though efforts have been made to sort out by colors, there still are parts of ceramic, brick and plastic that gets blent in.
Once the manual assorting has been finished, glass bottle recycling in Europe starts out the crushing and screening form. A huge machine crushes the glass into cullet. The steel rollers are ready to crush the cullet into the size that has been ordered by the client. After the glass is crushed the glass cullet goes over a screening; a big powerful magnet is passed over the glass to get rid of steel, iron and wire and other iron based materials.

Afterwards the magnet screening the glass bottle recycling in Europe is not finished until the bits of glass cullet are drawn over a vibrating screen that removes ceramic, brick and stone that has slipped through earlier screenings. All this foreign material has to be taken from the glass cullet before melt because the metal, stone, ceramic and different impurities would melt into the glass manufacturing process.
Glass bottle recycling in Europe is everyone’s obligation. The citizens of Europe are conscious of their carbon footprint, which is the affect that their contribution makes on the environment. Carbon footprints are categorized into two categories, which are primary and secondary. The primary footprint has to do with the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment from autos, airplanes, and public transit, as well as the domestic energy used. The secondary footprint has to do more directly with you; it has to do with the amount of greenhouse gas emitted from the fabrication of products through to their breakdown. The European states are leading the world by example how to sustain the environment over recycling.

Fuel Cells for Small Household Appliances

Fuel cell research and technology has come a long way specially when you regard that they have developed an alternative energy source for small household appliances such as cameras, camcorders, and laptop computers. Cellphones can also use fuel cell power as can vacuum cleaners, coffee pots, and microwaves. It can be impressive when you think about it!

Developing fuel cells for small household appliances could be the origin of a major development in brand-new portable power applications for household gadgets. Because fuel cells are small and light, they can apply consumers an comfort of use never thought of before. The fuel-cell vacuum cleaner would be lighter than standard units, almost noise-free and, most importantly, be free of a power electric cord. It gives consumers a chance towards an unexampled level of freedom and ease of use.
This might not be what fuel-cell gurus had in mind when they started adopting the green benefits of utilizing fuel cells to move automobiles and even entire houses. Car manufacturers, energy companies and others are actively engaging those fields, but the potential is seen as a decade or more away. Operating small household appliances on fuel-cells are a niche with medium-term benefit potential one that the company developing the vacuum cleaner fuel cell earlier tapped into when it unveiled a fuel-cell bike.
Fuel cells are like batteries except that instead of calling for a reload they run off a fuel. The cleanest form is hydrogen, which lets out zero pollutants. Using methanol or even gasoline to develop hydrogen would not be as clean, but would still be a big improvement over internal combustion engines. Thats why using fuel cells to run small household appliances could be the wave of the future day.
The fuel-cell vacuum cleaner, for example, habits hydrogen housed in a unit corresponding to a propane container, just much more reinforced. The unit is anticipated to provide 1,000 watts of power. Working time will be one to two hours, depending on the final size of the container. The hydrogen container can be refilled in seconds with a quick connect/disconnect feature. Should it ever be mass produced, vacuum cleaner companies could use its client service network to deliver refilled hydrogen bottles to customers.
What about other small household appliances that can be operated on fuel cells? Well, if it uses a electric battery or electricity, it can practice a fuel cell. Consumers should take note of this and understand that only because we’ve practiced electric batteries for years, that doesn’t mean in that respect aren’t other power generators out there that will suit our dynamic needs. Fuel cells are the roll of the future day – get ready for them!

Removing Allergies from a Mobile Home for Better Air Quality

Allergies are everywhere in the world and some are hit to a greater extent than others by these allergies. There are efforts everywhere to amend the air quality around us. The EPA has carried out numerous laws in alignment with The Clean Air Act to clean up our environment, but pollution remains to be a trouble. It’s this pollution that is affecting the environment and stimulating or worsening particular respiratory problems in individuals everywhere.

Hot analyses have demonstrated that individuals living in particular mobile homes may be triggered by reactions from allergies from mobile home air quality not being what it should. In Louisiana and Mississippi, FEMA supplied numerous folks with mobile homes as temporary life quarters. Regrettably, some of these homes have formaldehyde in them, which causes allergies. Mobile home air quality has been tested in these homes to ensure the safety of the residents. Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a very powerful odour. It’s practiced a lot in the building of homes and home products including furniture, storage lockers and walls in mobile homes and trailers.
Even if the renters are not bothered by allergies, mobile home air quality in these homes is nevertheless at question by FEMA, who is making the testing. Individuals that have breathed lots of formaldehyde may feel symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, scratchy eyes and nosebleeds.
Mobile home residents not living in FEMA assisted homes are often still impacted by allergies. Mobile home air quality is rarely as healthy as you get in conventional homes with proper ventilation. The square footage is not usually as well dispersed as you find in a traditional stick built home. Numerous fresh homeowners have got central air or window air conditioners so they don’t suffer through many of the long hot humid days of summers. Extraordinary warmth, humidity and stuffiness in these mobile homes will often set off dormant allergies in a mobile home. Air quality can be ameliorated by making appropriate ventilation system in the home as well as keeping it as pollutant free as possible.

Some pollutants that will cause allergies and affect mobile home air quality are indoor pets such as dogs and cats, smoking or improperly aired heating and cooking appliances. There are many tests you can get today to help test the air quality in your house as well as air quality monitors. These utilities are excellent for helping you provide the best possible air quality in your house. Many organizations as well exist for those that wish to check the air quality in their home. Small utilities such as carbon monoxide detectors can also be bought to be applied by the householder.