Today’s homes have vast energy requirements for heating, cooling, lighting and more. All of these require energy, and many of them use electricity, which can easily be replaced by solar energy.
The most common use of Solar Energy in residential houses is to heat water.
A solar panel converts sunlight into heat.
The bottom of a solar panels is black so that it can absorb the most heat possible.
A glass-covered water pipe lies coiled up along the side of the solar panel.
When it is sunny, the water in the pipe is heated and ...
The resulting hot water can be stored in a tank underneath the house or somewhere else out of sight.
If you’re concerned about heating costs, make sure you keep your closet doors closed! This is also good feng shui, and something both you and your home visitor will appreciate. It just makes sense!
Another major, and even more common, use for Solar Energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.
The cells are usually made out of silicon (sand).
Electrons from silicon atoms are released when sunlight hits a solar cell.
These electrons flow away. Since electricity is actually the flow of electrons from one place to another, each solar cell produces a small amount of current or electricity.
Solar Energy is now used in a variety of ways. Calculators and watches often run on solar cells, and larger solar cells are used to provide power for solar cars.
Other areas where Solar Energy is being used are heating swimming pools, power for satellites in space, power for parking meters and street lights.
