Dear Diary,Over the last 100 years, electricity has provided the means of
opportunity for the greatest developments and improvements known to
mankind. New technologies and inventions are constantly being developed
with a dependence upon electricity. As the growth of the worlds
economy increases so too does the exponential demand for electricity.
Today, electricity has become a commodity we cant live without. In the
past, fossil fuels like coal and oil have provided us with the necessary
resources to produce our own electricity with the use of generators in
power plants. Since the recognition that these fossil fuels were not
limitless and possibly dangerous to both the environment and the
inhabitants of Earth, an increased demand for new research has led to
the development of safer and cleaner energy sources.
One such energy
source is solar power.Solar electricity systems use indirect and direct methods of
harnessing the energy of Disinfectant Wipes wholesale the sun. Direct methods use photovoltaics,
commonly known as solar cells, made from thin slices of crystalline
gallium arsenide, silicon, or other semiconductor materials to convert
solar radiation into electricity. By connecting large numbers of these
cells into panels, the cost of photovoltaic electricity has been reduced
to 20 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. This technology has long been used
in providing electrical energy to satellites that orbit the earth and
observing satellites in the depths of space. Solar electricity systems
provide a long term and sustainable energy resource because of the
non-existence of mechanical parts, which is unlike the situation with
power generating power plants. However, the efficiencies of these cells
are relatively low and also dependent on the time of day and seasonal
changes. Solar electricity systems need to convert the DC voltage into
AC compatible supply in order to be used for commercial and home use.
Indirect methods utilize the concentration of solar radiation to
focus the energy to heat or boil certain liquids like water, to power
turbines and eventually produce electricity.
One common technology is
the use of a parabolic trough which consists of a linear parabolic
reflector that concentrates solar energy into a receiver positioned on
the focal line of the receiver. In the focal line of the receiver,
tubing connected to the turbine is filled with liquid to absorb the heat
generated by the concentration of the solar energy. Solar electricity
systems such as this have higher efficiencies because the heat of the
sun is directly utilized. Moreover, other technologies extend the
efficiencies by utilizing solar power towers and solar dishes.
We have experienced the benefits of fossil fuels and realized its
negative consequences. Moving the trend towards the use of sustainable
and cleaner energy is a must in ensuring life on earth. Plants have
harnessed the solar energy even before humans ever existed. Why cant we
replicate its ability to take the energy from the sun when we are more
intelligent beings? We must stop digging the ground and oceans and start
looking to the sky above. Solar electricity systems provide the means
to achieve this goal.