How does solar affect our climate?

There is a little controversy about climate change, but 97 percent of the world’s climate scientists believe global warming is real and that man is the leading cause. The sun is the prime mover in this universe The sun is the source of energy that drives the biological and physical processes in the world around us. In the oceans and on land it fuels plant growth that builds the base of the food chain, and in the atmosphere, it warms air which makes our weather.

The proportion of energy coming from the sun changes slightly day to day. Over many millennia the earth-sun orbital relationship can alter the geographical distribution of the sun’s energy over the earth’s surface. It has been suggested that changes in solar output could affect our climate—both directly, by changing the rate of solar heating of the earth and atmosphere, and indirectly, by changing cloud forming processes.

Scientists recognized climate change long ago

Scientists have expounded the sun-climate theory to explain the earth’s rapid warming. The evidence assembled shows that the sun affects our climate over millions of years, but it is not the cause of recent warming. The rate at which energy from the sun reaches the top of earth’s atmosphere is called “total solar irradiance” (or TSI).  TSI fluctuates somewhat from day to day and week to week. In addition to these rapid, short-term variations, there is an 11-year cycle in TSI measurements related to “sunspots” (a part of the sun’s surface that is temporarily cooler and darker than its neighboring regions). Two different hypotheses have been proposed to test whether solar radiation can explain climate change.

Solar energy is the clear antidote to  pollution

Solar energy is provided free by the sun and comes in two types; light and heat. Special technology is needed to obtain this energy. Heat from the sun can be used to heat water in our homes and buildings and light from the sun can also produce power. Energy technologies utilizing the sun have great potential to benefit the world, and new emerging processes, like Sliver Cells, will ultimately help force costs down. They can diversify energy supply, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve the quality of the air we breathe, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate economies by creating employment in the manufacturing and installation of systems. Technology using the sun focussed in dish concentrators has been around for some time, although the technology is evolving and already replacing some fossil-fueled power requirements.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system! There are a plethora of reasons to install a solar energy system. For many, the knowledge that you are generating your own power is a very liberating experience. For others, the financial savings is the paramount concern. For still others, it’s reducing your carbon footprint that is the most persuasive argument for installing solar. The prices for solar panels are still falling and incentives and rebates exist to make the transition to solar power more affordable for the masses. When you install solar, it makes your neighbors question whether they should do the same thing, and it can be an excellent example for the entire neighborhood. It isn't enough for just one or two homeowners to install solar. The problem is too big to ignore and the only way we are going to defeat global warming is by using renewable energy sources whenever possible. You can make a difference for yourself, your family, your community, and your planet by investing in solar energy.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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