Solar Power – The Sustainable Sun

Regardless of your opinion on climate change the depletion of natural resources is a threat to the human race! The amount of oil buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface will not last forever and we need to find some sustainable, long term renewable sources of energy. Solar power is a versatile and renewable source of energy derived from the sun. This energy can be harvested and converted into heat or electricity using solar power panels to capture the valuable energy we get from the sun and turn it into a usable form.

We can use solar energy in two ways namely, through photoelectric applications and solar thermal applications. In photoelectric applications, photovoltaic (PV) cells are used to convert the energy of the sun into electricity with the use of semi-conductors which are similar to silicon. In solar thermal applications the energy from sun is used to provide direct heat for air and liquid use. For example it could be used to provide a source of hot water in your home, which in turn can be used for washing and cleaning. In some cases the hot water could be used purely as a source of heat.

It is a clean, pollution free form of power and a good alternative to the use of non- renewable resources such as coal, oil or gas. These are all fossil fuels buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface and we release huge amounts of green house gases into the atmosphere by burning them to generate power. Commercial and academic organisations throughout the world are conducting research into new and innovative applications for solar power. Obviously the amount of sun you receive has a bearing on just how beneficial solar energy can be to you. A sunny location like California is perfect to take advantage of solar energy and the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating system currently being constructed there will have a capacity of over 390 MW (Mega Watts) when completed.

The UK does not have the same resources as California when it comes to sun, however plans to build a 5 MW solar farm in Cornwall have recently been announced. It is clear solar power can be utilised to varying degrees depending on location and conditions although it is important to remember that it is a part of the renewable energy solution and not a complete solution in itself. Other forms of renewable energy need to be used in conjunction with solar power to form a stable and sustainable supply.