What is solar energy and how to utilize solar power effectively for domestic purpose?

With the worlds natural resource depleting at an alarming rate it has become very important to shift to cleaner and renewable technologies for meeting our lifestyle demands. One of the most convenient and effective ways to adapt to a greener lifestyle at home is by utilizing the sun’s energy and converting it into power for domestic use.
Understanding solar energy
The term solar energy refers to the utilization of the sun’s energy to create clean and renewable source of power for various uses. An increasing number of households are adopting more energy efficient technologies which are benefitting them by decreasing their power consumption and thereby leading up to considerable cost savings over a long term.
Effective guidelines for utilizing solar energy for domestic use
Listed below are some effective guidelines through which home owners can use solar energy successfully for domestic use:
1. Replace electric heaters with solar water heaters: Replacing the electric heaters in your home with solar energy powered heaters can help you save up on your electricity bills by a considerable amount as well as make your home more eco-friendly.
2. Use solar torches and lamps: There are a large number of solar energy powered lights and torches available in the market which you can easily charge by keeping them out in the sunlight and use them around the house as well as in your garden and porch area in the evening.
3. Cook with solar cookers: Cooking with solar powered cookers and stoves is a great way to save up on power as well as eat nutritious food. You can leave out the food to cook in the solar powered cooker very conveniently in the morning and can return home to a wholesome and nutritious meal.
4. Use solar energy battery chargers: There are a large number of affordably priced chargers which are powered by solar energy and are a very innovative, handy as well as environmental friendly way to charge cell phones.
5. Install photovoltaic solar panels: Installing photovoltaic panels on your rooftop will trap solar energy which can be used to power various electrical appliances around the house.  
The Sun energy is a renewable source as it is inexhaustible and therefore an extremely environmental friendly alternative in contrast with other energy sources that are derived from fossil fuels. Using solar powered appliances around the house will help you in lowering your electricity bills as well as contributing to a large extent to reduce our carbon emissions. So go ahead and follow the above guidelines and use solar energy to its optimum for domestic use.