The greenhouse effect and solar energy

The evening news tells us all we need to know. For those paying attention, our planet is experiencing catastrophic effects of global warming. California wildfires are out of control and floods and droughts are common everywhere. Japan and Canada have suffered through the hottest summer since meteorological records have been available. The solar energy revolution is well underway. Worries about global warming are driving the increase in solar installations worldwide. Solar energy can be used with solar technologies to replace conventional energy systems that consume fossil fuels. This is extremely beneficial in reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy can be used indirectly as stored thermal energy or directly for producing electricity with solar photovoltaic panels. Thermal energy is used for supplying hot water, for space heating and cooling or for indirect electricity generation – as in concentrated solar power (CSP).

Solar Energy employs different technological methods

Solar water heater – solar heating elements for heating of water for distribution of hot water in buildings, or for heating of water for space heating in many buildings. 

Solar Photovoltaic panels (PV panels) for generation of electricity through a direct solar energy system –These applications range from small home solar panel systems to large utility scale systems (for the production of electricity at the community level). Technological advances are making the panels more efficient and more breakthroughs are on the way.

Concentrated solar power (CSP) – for the generation of electricity on a  large scale. CSP is an indirect electricity generation process where solar energy is converted into thermal energy and is stored in thermal tanks. Thermal energy is used to generate hot steam to drive a steam turbine and generate electricity.

Solar is the planet’s best chance to reverse climate change

Passive solar energy systems – for increasing the efficiency of the energy performance in buildings. Passive solar energy systems do not use any mechanical parts (as in the case of solar panels). They use thermal solar energy passively such as a thermal wall charged by solar radiation. Some other solar energy system applications include solar lighting (indoor and outdoor), supplying power to electrical devices at all sizes like small calculators to large power boats, planes or cars. Another use of solar energy is for cooking food; this can be accomplished by using special cooking pans designed to amplify solar heat for cooking food  – solar (heating) pans, etc.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.