Solar Power

Solar power is, strictly speaking, the radiant energy emitted by Earth's sun converted into power for home or commercial use. Energy from the sun has been used for centuries, albeit in limited application. Several centuries B.C., early Greeks and Romans figured out how to use magnifying glasses to concentrate the sun's energy and create heat and fire.

You feel solar power every time you sit beside a sunny window or out on the grass on a warm summer day. Solar power is even evident on cloudy days, because much of the sun's radiant energy can reach you even through the clouds. That's why so many people get sunburned on overcast days-they play outside all day without sunblock, and end up sunburned.

How much energy does our sun actually produce? Here it is in technical terms: The Sun emits 3.8 x 10^33 ergs/sec or 3.8 x 10^26 watts of power, an amount of energy each second equal to 3.8 x 10^26 joules. In one hour, or 3600 seconds, it produces 1.4 x 10^31 Joules of energy or 3.8 x 10^23 kilowatt-hours. Since E = mc^2, in 1 hour it looses (1.37 x 10^37 ergs)/(9 x 10^20) = 1.5 x 10^16 grams or 15 billion metric tons of mass.

In layman's terms: a whole lot! In fact, enough solar energy hits the earth in one hour to satisfy the energy demands of earth's inhabitants for an entire year! But how do we turn that solar energy into electricity that us mere mortals can use? Through the process of photovoltaics, that's how.

Silicon, a naturally-occurring element in sand, has the ability to create an electrical charge when exposed to the sun. In the late 1950's, silicon chips were developed, and the rest is history.

With the recent run-up in the costs of fossil fuels, interest has once again risen in "alternative" means of power generation, among them solar power. Today, more than 10,000 American families get all their power from solar, and many, many more use solar in combination with electricity generated via more traditional means.

Solar power faces several challenges. It currently requires a lot of space. We haven't developed the technology yet to generate solar power as cheaply as traditional power. And the Direct Current (DC) generated from a solar cell must be converted to Alternating Current (AC) for use in standard house wiring, making the purchase of an inverter necessary.

However, more and more power companies are jumping on the solar or alternative power bandwagon and purchasing power from solar-arrayed homes that are generating excess power. Also, Federal and State governments have a variety of tax credits and incentives to help offset the cost of a solar array purchase.

Solar power is one very promising alternative to burning fossil fuels. It's renewable and generates little or no pollution. As a sustainable option it is definitely worth a second look.