Solar Energy: An Historical View

Solar energy 's been around quite literally for the complete history of the world. Solar energy describes the energy released from the sun, a great deal of which reaches earth in the form of light and warmth. This short article talks about how solar power energy has been utilized through the years and takes a look at the various ways it can be utilised in present times. The history of solar energy and also the growth and development of solar panels All through history humanity and indeed all types of flora and fauna have taken advantage of solar energy. Light and heat energy generated by the sun has been used to heat water, dry out fur or clothing and also to help plants for instance grow. Romans and Greeks alike used the sun’s rays for all types of inventions for instance heating buildings and baths! The fantastic thing about solar energy was that and indeed is dependable: it will constantly be there and will never run out for the conceivable future of mankind. The limitations history has had to cope with however is the fact that whilst solar energy may do certain things, it could never be concentrated enough to do anything at all more useful. However, with the advent of the very first solar panels it was suddenly possible to use solar energy to generate electricity, making solar electricity infinitely more useful! Through making use of photovoltaic cells light energy may be changed into electrical power. Although the very first solar panels had not been very efficient, present day solar panels power houses, businesses and towns! In truth solar panel installations have grown to be one of the most popular type of renewable power production across the UK and indeed the planet. With solar panel installations now costing a median sized residence close to £10,000, a solar panel installation has become an accessible type of energy generation for many people. Specially when one considers the economic advantages which can also be gained in many European counties. In the UK for example as the system presently stands an average sized dwelling can easily gain over £1000 in fiscal rewards annually! When one factors this into the reasons why the ancients cherished solar energy i.e. its dependability, it's easy to see why solar panels have grown to be such an exciting and popular technology. How solar panels are used today Many European countries are progressively making use of solar panels to satisfy their energy needs. In many instances solar panels are being used to create electricity to feed straight into household or industrial circuits. Once within the system when you use your TV or washing machine in the day time you will be making use of the electrical power that your solar panels created. A more simplistic approach is that taken by many households in Greece, who make use of solar panels principally for heating water. Another use across Europe of a type which is becoming increasingly popular is using solar panels to power road signs. If you look carefully in the UK and France for instance many road signs which illuminate or present information have solar panels linked up to them which are often visible. This considerably reduces energy bills, especially when one considers the number of electronic road signs you'll find across Europe! Right now solar panels can simply transform light energy into electrical power, but do not yet have the capacity to store energy and release it on demand. As it stands if you have a solar panel installation you'll be using solar electricity throughout the day but not during the night. The next move as well as the future for solar panels then will certainly be a system whereby light energy is changed into electricity and also kept so you will always be using free electricity for those who have a solar panel installation!