Sun is a natural source of energy and provides heat, power an d energy to earth. Approximately 30% of this power and energy is reflected back to space res of 70% can be used for in many ways. One way is production of solar power; solar power is the energy extracted from sun, so sun can be said as the source of providing solar energy. This energy is caught from sun with the help of solar power and is converted into useable form. But this energy is slightly less powerful than the e usual energy i.e. hydro power or wind power that is derived from windmills or wind turbines.
1. Past and future
In past (ancient times) people use to worship sun because it is the biggest source of energy and now man has used this source of energy for his comfort.
2. Production of solar power
Solar power is produced by solar panels that use large mirrors and glasses to concentrate sunlight on one point. This concentration of huge amount of sunlight and laser beam causes energy to produce this energy is called solar power or solar energy.
3. Measurement
Solar power is measured in kilo watt per hour. Its standard unit of measurement ids watt just like the hydro power.
4. Cheap in cost
Solar power requires only one time expenditure i.e. installation of solar panel. After that the energy produced is 33 times cheaper than hydro power.
5. Usage
Solar power is used in many ways i.e. it is used to power cars, TV, calculators, other heavy machinery and even cooking for food.
6. Disadvantage
Though solar power is cheaper than hydro power, but it has a major disadvantage that it is only available at day time. At night its use is possible only if it is stored.
7. Storage methods
The storage of solar power needs high temperature, so a student from University of Kassel has invented a cheap method to store solar energy by using molten salt. Salt is cheap an efficient mean of producing high temperature.
8. Transmission method
Solar power can also be transmitted or transported from one place to another. An easy way to transmit it is by transmission lines or wires.
9. No pollution
Production of solar power causes no water or air pollution unlike other means of power. It also doesn’t cause any other green house effect e.g. global warming.
10. Future expectations
It is expected that in near future 50% of the world energy would be solar energy.