| The most exact definition of Solar Energy is | | | | computers, and lighting. |
| plainly the energy from the sun. It is a term used | | | | Most applications of solar energy depend on |
| to classify the electromagnetic radiation emitted | | | | systems including collectors, storage and controls. |
| by the sun and intercepted by the Earth. It is the | | | | Storage is needed for a reason that solar energy |
| worlds most permanent and reliable source of | | | | is only available at daylight hours, but the demand |
| energy and the most copious. | | | | for energy is needed both day and night. Controls |
| The uses of solar energy on earth include solar | | | | are used to guarantee that the storage system |
| heating for buildings, solar heat for manufacturing | | | | works safely and efficiently. |
| or industry and electricity production. So what is | | | | The accessibility of solar energy is determined by |
| solar energy? How does it affect us? | | | | three factors: |
| Solar energy is responsible for weather systems | | | | The location is usually measured by latitude, |
| and ocean currents. It provides light, heat, and | | | | longitude and altitude. |
| energy to all living things on Earth. It has many | | | | The time. |
| uses. It supplies electricity; it can be used to | | | | The weather. |
| power cars. | | | | Aside from knowing that solar energy is a free |
| Solar energy is also used as a power for satellites | | | | energy still, you have to realize that it also has |
| in space and in space shuttles. It could also power | | | | advantages and disadvantages. |
| boats, generators during emergencies, toys, and | | | | The advantages are: |
| even security systems. | | | | Solar energy is almost limitless; it will be available |
| The amount of solar energy that the earth | | | | for as long as there are still humans in the earth. |
| receives is about 770 trillion kilowatts (kW), an | | | | It is abundant. You will not worry of running out |
| amount 5,000 times bigger than the sum of all | | | | of it. |
| other energy, may it be terrestrial nuclear energy, | | | | It could provide more power than all known fossil |
| geothermal energy or gravitational energy. | | | | fuel reserves. |
| There are two types of solar energy. These are: | | | | Solar energy is available during the day when |
| 1. Thermal Energy | | | | electricity usage is really important. |
| 2. Electric Energy | | | | It is the most inexhaustible, renewable source of |
| What is the difference between the two types | | | | energy known to man. |
| energy? | | | | Solar energy can be absorbed, reflected, |
| Thermal energy is kinetic energy. It is | | | | transmitted, and insulated. |
| everywhere. It makes the earth hot and even | | | | It can be collected and stored in batteries. |
| heats up our homes. It helps us to dry our | | | | The disadvantages are: |
| clothes. It is used as well to heat up water for | | | | It is not suitable in cloudy areas. |
| household use or even pools. That is why thermal | | | | It is not available at night time. |
| energy is called the heat energy because it is | | | | And it may require large land areas. |
| stored in the center of the earth as well. | | | | As a reminder, solar energy levels are lesser the |
| Electric energy is widely known to us as the | | | | farther north the site. Considering geography, |
| electricity. It is an essential part of nature and it is | | | | season is an important determinant of solar |
| one of our most widely used forms of energy. | | | | energy levels because the Suns position and the |
| This uses sunlight to power ordinary electrical | | | | weather vary greatly from summer to winter. |
| equipment, such as household appliances, | | | | |