What {solar energy is used|is the use of solar energy|uses solar energy} {for|to do?|for?}
What {solar energy is used|is the use of solar energy|uses solar energy} {for|to do?|for?}
{Many people|A lot of people|Many} are {asking|looking for answers to the question|seeking answers to} “how {does solar energy work|do solar energy works|can solar energy be used}?” With {so many|the variety of|all the different} {technologies and gadgets that can|devices and technologies that|tools and techniques that} {harness solar power|make use of solar energy|harness solar energy}{, it’s easy to see| it’s clear| it’s not difficult to understand} why {there is so much|there’s so much|there’s a lot of} {interest in this topic|excitement about this subject|attention to this issue}. {Many homeowners are left|A lot of homeowners find themselves|Numerous homeowners have been left} {wondering|to wonder|thinking} what they {can do with solar energy|could do with solar power}{, whether it be| for, whether| such as} to {power renewable transportation or|provide renewable energy for transportation or to|generate renewable power for their vehicles or} charge {a wireless speaker|wireless speakers}.
This is {one of many|just one of the|among the many} solar {energy applications that has|energy-related applications that have|energy projects that have} {seen a lot of popularity|gained a lot of attention|been gaining popularity} in {recent|the past few} {years|times}. Solar {electricity|power} is becoming more {accessible|affordable} {as solar panel prices drop|because solar panel costs are dropping|since solar panel prices are decreasing} and more people {are aware of|become aware of|realize} the {environmental and financial benefits|financial and environmental benefits|environmental and financial advantages} of solar {power|energy}. {Although solar electricity still|While solar power|Even though solar electricity} {accounts for|is|makes up} {only|just} 1.9{% of all electricity| percent of the electricity consumed| percent of the total electricity} {in|within|used in} the United States, it is {increasing rapidly|growing rapidly,|growing quickly} {according to|as per|in accordance with} {the|reports from the|The} U.S Energy Information Administration.
What {is|exactly is} Solar Energy?
Solar energy {is radiation from|is the radiation of|refers to radiation from} the Sun {that can produce|which can generate|that generates} {electricity heat, cause|electrical heat, trigger|electric heat, create} chemical reactions{ or generate|, or even generate| or create} electricity. The world {has a vastly|has an enormously|is blessed with a far} {greater solar energy supply|more solar energy resource|larger solar energy source} than {it needs|what it requires|what is needed}. This {highly|vastly|widely} {distributed source of energy can|dispersed source of energy could|spread energy source can} be {harnessed to meet all|utilized to meet|used to meet} {future energy requirements|needs for energy in the future|future energy needs} {if it is properly managed|when it is managed properly|provided it is properly managed}. {Because of its unlimited|Due to its unending|Due to its endless} {supply and non-polluting nature|availability and non-polluting characteristics|energy supply and non-polluting character}{, solar energy will be| solar energy is| solar energy will become} {a more|an|the most} {attractive|appealing} source of {renewable energy|energy that is renewable|energy renewable} {in the 21st|for the coming 21st|during the 20th} Century {than|as opposed to|over} {the finite fossil fuels|those finite fossil fuels like|carbon-based fossil fuels that are finite like} {petroleum|like petroleum|of petroleum}{, coal, and| coal,} natural gas.
{Although|While} the Sun is {a powerful energy source|an energy source that is powerful|an extremely powerful source of energy} {and sunlight is|as well as|with sunlight being} the {most important|primary|main} source {for Earth’s energy|of energy for Earth|of Earth’s energy}{, its intensity| however, the intensity of its radiation| but its power} at Earth is {quite|very|extremely} {low|minimal|small}. {This is due to|It is because of|The reason is} the {immense|massive|enormous} {radial spreading radiation from|radiative radiation of|radiation that spreads out from} the {distant|far} Sun. {Earth’s atmosphere, clouds|The Earth’s atmosphere, clouds,|The Earth’s atmosphere, cloud} and other {atmospheric components|atmospheric elements|components of the atmosphere} absorb or scatter{ up to| as much as|} 54 percent of {the sunlight|sunlight|the sun’s light}. {This is a relatively small|This is a small|It’s a tiny} loss. {Nearly 50 percent of the|About 50 percent of|The majority of} sunlight {reaching|that reaches|that hits} the {ground|earth} {is visible light|can be seen|are visible lights}. 45 percent{ of it| of that|} {is infrared radiation|includes infrared light|comprises infrared radiation}. There {are smaller amounts of|is less|are lesser amounts of} {ultraviolet, other electromagnetic radiation|electromagnetic radiation, ultraviolet|electromagnetic radiation} {and more visible light|as well as more visible light|plus more visible lights}.
Solar energy has enormous potential. Earth receives approximately 200,000 times the world’s daily electrical-generating capacity every day as solar energy. {Although solar energy is free|While solar energy is not expensive|Although solar energy is completely free}{, its cost to collect| however, the cost of collecting| but the cost to collect}{, convert, and store| it, store, and convert| the energy, store it, and convert it} {it remains|is|is still} {prohibitive|expensive}. {Although the latter|While the former} is {more straightforward|simpler|easier}{, solar radiation can also| solar radiation, it can| solar radiation is also able to} be {converted|transformed} {into|to|in} {heat|energy|thermal energy} (thermal energy) {and|as well as} {electrical energy|electricity|electric energy} (electronic {energy|power}).
Photovoltaics Basics
{Most|The majority of|Many} people {are familiar with PV,|know about PV,|are familiar with PV} {which is used in|that is the name used for|which is utilized in} solar panels. {The solar panels absorb the|Solar panels absorb the|The solar panels absorb} {energy of the sun|sunlight’s energy|solar energy} when it shines {on|upon|onto} them. {This creates electric charges,|The result is electric charges,|This causes electric charges} {which move in response|that move according|which are able to move in response} to the {internal electrical field|electrical field inside} {of the cell|that the cells have|within the cell}. {It causes|This causes|It allows} {electricity to flow|the flow of electricity}.
What {does solar energy serve|is the purpose of solar energy|are the benefits of solar power}?
Solar energy {is used|is utilized|can be used} to {generate photovoltaic power|produce photovoltaic power|generate photovoltaic energy} (PV){, also known| which is also known| that is also referred to} {as solar energy for solar|in solar power for|by the name solar energy, which refers to solar} thermal. This {energy conversion enables|conversion of energy allows|energy conversion allows} solar {to power automobiles|power to power vehicles|energy to power automobiles}{, lights, and| as well as lights and| lighting, as well as} heaters.This energy conversion {enables|allows|permits} solar {to power automobiles|energy to power vehicles|power to power cars}{, lights, and heaters| as well as heaters, lights, and automobiles| lighting, heaters, and lights}.
It’s {clear that solar-powered products|evident that solar-powered products|obvious that solar-powered items} {on the market are becoming|available on the market are becoming|are getting} more {complex|complicated}. {Here is [xfield_company]|Here’s [xfield_company]’s|Here’s the [xfield_company]} {top 5 list of examples|the top five list of instances|Top 5 list of the best examples} {of solar energy|that use solar power|from solar-powered energy}.
1. Photovoltaic energy is{ now|| currently} being {used|utilized} to power solar-powered {transport|transportation|vehicles.}
Photovoltaic (PV){, which| which|} is a {form|type} {of solar energy,|that utilizes solar power,|made up of sun energy} {is proving|is showing|has proven} to be {incredibly innovative in|extremely innovative in|an extremely ingenuous method of} {utilizing the sun’s energy for|making use of the sun’s energy to power|using the sun’s energy for} transportation. Solar {transit is a growing|transportation is a rising|transit is an increasing} {trend in renewable|technology in the field of renewable|development in sustainable} energy. It {can power|powers|is able to power} everything from {subways to buses|buses to subways|buses and subways} and planes{ to trains and|, as well as trains and| to trains , and} roads. The solar-powered-aircraft Solar Impulse 2 flew around the globe recently, making splashes in famous photographs and flying across the Pacific. Solar buses {have been|are} {helping other countries lessen its|aiding other countries to reduce their|helping other countries reduce its} carbon footprint{ and|, and also| as well as} {keep mass transit|ensure that mass transportation is|make mass transit more} efficient in {densely populated areas|areas with high population|cities with a high density of people} {like|such as} Beijing. Solar {cars are also starting|vehicles are also beginning|cars are also beginning} {to be used in|being used for|using them in} {racing|race} {competitions, particularly|races, especially|events, specifically} in Australia{,|| which is} where the [xfield_company{]|} is {well-known|famous|known to the world}. These {advances, and many|developments, and|advancements, and} {more, show|others, demonstrate|more, prove} that solar {power is changing the transportation|power is changing the transport|energy is changing the transportation} sector {all over the globe|across the globe|throughout the world}.
2. {Wearable solar technology: A|Solar wearable technology is a|The wearable sun technology offers a} {personal|unique|personalized} {way to harness|method to harness|method of harnessing} {solar power|the power of solar energy}
Consumer power electronics {is|are} {a popular use|an increasingly popular application|one of the most popular uses} {of solar power|for solar energy|that makes use of the power from solar} in {today’s|the present|our} {solar|solar-powered} world. Solar-powered chargers{ such as| like|, like} Anker’s Powerport {are capable of charging|can charge|are able to charge} {any device,|every device} {from a cell phone to|from cell phones to|including a mobile phone,} {an e-reader or tablet|tablets or e-readers|tablets and e-readers}. Even {solar-powered flashlights|flashlights powered by solar energy|flashlights that are powered by solar} {can be charged with|can be charged by|are able to be charged using} sunlight. This list {contains the best|includes the top|features the best} {solar technology products|solar-powered products|solar technology devices}.
- Rechargeable flashlights
- Solar air conditioning
- Cell phones
- Freezers/mini-fridges
- Wearables
- Music speakers
- Solar dryers
- Solar visor radios
- Tablets
- Thermostats
{Even as the world changes|As the world shifts|While the world is shifting} away from fossil {and toward|fuels and towards|fuels in favor of} renewable {energy for|energy sources for|power sources for} {devices, it is|gadgets, it’s|products, it’s} {clear|evident|obvious} that {sunlight will be used|the sun will be utilized} to power any {brand|product} {that can be directly|that is|which is directly} {exposed to sunlight by the|in sunlight for the|subjected to the sun’s rays by} {general public|public at large|general population}. {Solar products have the potential|Solar-powered products are likely|Solar powered products are able} to {alter our perceptions of|change our perceptions about|change the perception we have of} {power consumption and how|the power consumed and how|energy consumption and the way in which} devices {should be|are} charged. This trend {will continue|is expected} to {expand|grow|increase} as {Solar’s conversion efficiency improves|the efficiency of conversion improves for Solar|the efficiency of solar conversion increases}{, and this will| and will| and} {lead to|create|result in} new markets for{ new| the new|} products.
Wearable solar technology {could|may|can} {make|help make|create} Apple Watches {or Fitbits more|and Fitbits|as well as Fitbits} {attractive to consumers|appealing to customers|appealing to consumers}. {Unlike their regular counterparts|In contrast to their traditional counterparts|Contrary to the traditional watches}{, smartwatches| smartwatches that are| smartwatches} {powered by solar|that are powered by sunlight|run on solar power} don’t {have|need|require} to be {plugged into|connected} {to charge every|to charge each|for charging every} {night|evening|at night}. {But the real|The real|However, the} {question is: Will|issue is: will|problem is: Will} {these tech giants be able|the tech giants|these tech giants} {integrate wearable solar technology in|incorporate wearable solar technology into|to incorporate wearable solar technology into} their products {before an emerging|before a new|prior to an emerging} {brand does|brand can|company does}?
3. Solar lighting{: A popular| is a well-known|: A well-known} {example|illustration|instance} of solar power
{Outdoor solar lighting|Solar lighting for outdoor use} is {one of the best|among the most effective|among the best} {ways to increase|methods to boost|ways to improve} {your home’s efficiency|the efficiency of your home}. Solar lighting is {much simpler|simpler|much easier} than {traditional exterior lights|conventional exterior lights|traditional lights for exterior use}. {They are wireless and harness|They’re wireless and draw|They’re wireless and can harness} sunlight {during daylight to avoid|in the daytime to eliminate|during the day to reduce} the {need for|requirement for|requirement to draw} electricity {from the grid at night|from the grid during nighttime|to be sourced from the grid at night}. {Although solar lights aren’t|While solar lights aren’t|Although solar lighting isn’t} {as widespread|as popular|so popular} {as solar panels yet|as solar panels|like solar panels}{, they are rapidly| but they’re rapidly| however, they’re quickly} becoming a {popular|common|trending} {product to reduce your electric|item to lower your electric|product that can reduce your electricity} {bill and increase|cost and improve|bill and boost} {the efficiency of your home|the efficiency of your home}.
Modern solar lighting {can also|is also able to|can} {improve the exterior decor|enhance the exterior appearance|make a difference to the exterior design} of a {property|home|house}. {You can enhance the property’s|It is possible to enhance your property’s|You can improve the home’s} exterior {design by purchasing elaborate|appearance by buying elaborate|by purchasing extravagant} lighting {arrays at as low|systems for as little|sets for as little} as {$20 per|$20 for each|as $20 per} light. They {are also available|can also be found|are also sold} {at major retailers like|at big retailers such as|from major retailers such as} Home Depot. {These lighting products are affordable|They are also affordable|The lighting items are inexpensive} and {readily available|easily accessible}. {Keep an eye out|Be on the lookout} for {the ones like|similar products to|products similar to} this one.
4. Solar {on the move: Portable|mobile: portable|Mobile: Portable} solar
{Most people are familiar with|Many people are aware of|The majority of people are aware of} the {idea|notion|concept} that solar {power can|energy can|power could} be {used to power large|utilized to power large|utilized to power large-scale} appliances{ like lighting and| such as lighting and|, such as lighting and even} your home. {You can also use solar|It is also possible to use solar|Solar power can also be used} to power {your smaller devices|smaller gadgets|smaller devices} {like your watch or phone|such as your phone or watch|like your smartphone or watch}. {These devices can|They can also|The devices could} be powered {by smaller solar cells|by solar cells that are smaller in size|with smaller solar cells}.
5. Solar ventilation: Cool your home using solar
{Solar heating|The solar heating system} {can also be used|can also be utilized|is also a great way} {to cool your home|for cooling your house|in cooling homes}. Even {if you don’t have the|even if you don’t have enough|when you don’t have the} {funds to install a complete|money to put in a full|resources to set up a complete} {PV system, solar ventilation|solar system for ventilation,|Solar PV unit, using solar venting} {tools|devices|equipment} {like solar fans can be|such as solar fans are|like solar fans could be} {a great way to offset|an excellent way to reduce|great ways to cut down on} {your energy consumption|your energy usage|the energy use}.
6. Solar heating{: Using|: using| using} PV {for|to generate|to produce} thermal energy
{Solar water heaters and space|Space} heaters can be {used|utilized|employed} to {heat|warm|provide heat to} your home without {the need for|the need of|having to use} solar panels. {This is something that|This is something|It’s a fact that} {many homeowners don’t know|most homeowners aren’t aware of|many homeowners don’t realize}. Solar space heaters {harness the|harness|draw on the} sun’s {energy and|energy to|power and} {convert it to|transform it into|convert it into} thermal energy {using liquid|by using liquid|using liquids} or air{, while solar|. Solar} heaters {use water for|make use of water to facilitate|make use of water for} thermal transfer. {Passive and active|Active and passive} {solar heating systems|system for solar heat|Solar heating units} are {available|readily available|offered}. Active systems {use|make use of|utilize} pumps to {circulate|move} {heat and water|water and heat}. {A thermal solar array can|The thermal solar array could|Thermal solar arrays can} be {installed on a|put on a|placed on the} roof{ and homeowners will see|, and homeowners can expect|, and homeowners will receive} {a return of 5-10 percent|an average return of 5-10|an increase of between 5 and 10 percent}. {This system is much cheaper|It is considerably less expensive|The cost of this system is lower} than a {complete|full|total} {solar panel installation|system of solar panels|array of solar panels}.
Solar thermal technology {offers|has|comes with} {a major advantage: it|an advantage that is significant: it|the advantage of being able to} {heats|can heat|provides heating for} your pool {at a lower cost|for less|at a lower price} than {traditional alternatives like|conventional alternatives such as|traditional options like} {oil and gas pumps|gas and oil pumps|gas and oil}. {According to|As per|Based on} the U.S. Department of Energy{, solar pool heating| solar heating for pools| solar heating of pools} is the most {economical|cost-effective|efficient} {use of|utilization of|method of using} solar energy {in many|in a variety of|across a range of} climates. {How do solar heated|What is the process by which solar heated|What exactly does solar-heated} pools {work|function}? Solar {technologies work by using|technology works by using|technologies use} {a solar collector to harness|the solar collector to capture|solar collectors to harness} sunlight {and turn|and transform|to convert} {it into heat|the energy into|this into energy}. The collector {then draws|draws|then pulls} water {through it to heat|into it, which heats|to heat} the pool. {This solar energy technology can|The solar energy technology could|This solar technology can} also {cool the water at night|chill the water during the night|reduce the temperature of the water in the evening}{, but this is usually| however this is typically| but it is} only {necessary|required|needed} {in warmer climates|for warmer regions|when the climate is warmer}. The {cost|price} {of solar heating systems|for solar heaters|to install solar-powered heating units} {can|could|may} {range from $3,000 to $4,000|vary from $3,000 to $4,000|be anywhere from $3,000-$4,000} with a {short payback period|quick payback time|relatively short payback period}.
{All across the country|In the United States|All over the country}{, solar prices are dropping| the solar price is dropping across the country| Solar prices are falling across the nation}. Get free {quotes from the [xfield company|estimates from the [xfield company|quotes from the [xfield}{] Marketplace to see|Marketplace to check|Marketplace to view} {solar prices in your area|the prices of solar in your area|the solar costs in your region}.
7.Rooftop Solar: The Best {Friend of Homeowners|Friendship of Homeowners|for Homeowners' Friendship}
{There are so many|In 2018, there are so many|It is amazing to see the number of} {incredible|amazing|fantastic} gadgets and {devices out there|devices available|gadgets available} in 2018, {it is|we|but we must} {forget easily the most important|easy to overlook the primary|not easy to forget the most crucial} {use for|usage of|application of} solar energy: {rooftop solar|solar panels on the roof}. Solar energy {can be used|can be utilized|is a great source} {for flying an airplane and|to fly an airplane or|to fly an aircraft and} charging {a battery|batteries}. {However, homeowners can|But, homeowners can|Homeowners can also} {save thousands of dollars|make savings of thousands|reduce their expenses by thousands} {each|every} year {by reducing their energy consumption|by reducing their energy use|through reducing their energy usage}{, carbon footprint, and| as well as carbon footprint and| and carbon footprint as well as} paying {lower|less for} {utility bills|energy bills|costs for utilities}.
{Consider all the|Take a look at all the|Explore all} {options available to you|possibilities available|alternatives available} to {go solar|take advantage of solar power|consider going solar}. {Make sure to estimate|Be sure to calculate|You should estimate} {your solar savings and consider|the solar savings you can make and think about|your solar savings and take into consideration} {what a solar investment might|the impact a solar investment could|what a solar investment can} {do for your household finances|help your household budget|be for your household’s finances}. {While it is great|While it’s great|Although it’s beneficial} to {use smaller|make small|invest in smaller} {home improvements and products|products and home improvements|appliances and improvements} to {increase|improve|boost} {the efficiency of your|effectiveness of the|energy efficiency in your} {home|house}{, the best way| but the most effective way| however, the best method} to {reduce|cut down on|lower} carbon emissions and {lower|reduce|cut down on} {your electric bill|the cost of electricity|your electric bills} is to {install|set up|put} solar panels {at|in your|on your own} {home|the home|the house}. Join the [xfield_company{]|company’s|the} Solar Marketplace to get a {free quote from top-rated|free quotes from the top|no-cost quotes from the best} solar {companies in your region|firms in your area|companies in your area}.
Which countries {produce the highest|have the highest|produce the greatest} {amount of solar energy|quantity of solar power|amounts of solar energy}?
China is the {largest|biggest|world’s largest} {producer of solar energy|manufacturer of solar power|maker of solar electricity}. The next {largest|biggest|top} solar {producers|energy producers} {are|include|comprise} India, Vietnam, Japan{,|} {and|as well as|along with} {the|in the|Japan and the} United States.
{What is|How is|What’s} the US {doing with solar energy|doing about solar energy|doing with solar energy}?
Photovoltaics (PV) is the most {popular use|well-known use|widely used application} {of solar energy|for solar power|to harness solar energy}. Concentrating {solar power from the sun|solar energy from the sun|sunlight’s power} to power {utility-scale projects and|large-scale utility projects as well as|projects of utility scale and} solar {heating and cooling|cooling and heating}.