Solar Lights, Wind, and Alternative Energy

Our earth’s environment is in crisis and it is reflecting in our economy as well. The world’s reliance on fossil fuels has pushed our atmosphere to the edge and the costs associated with the fuel have sky rocketed. One of the most powerful things we as citizens can do is to begin focusing on other sources of energy.

Desertrockenergy.com is an informational website dedicated to providing facts and info on renewable energy, including solar and wind power. The learning center on this site is full of useful articles to help educate the average person on the benefits of alternative energy and how to use it. The site covers topics such as solar lighting, solar water heaters, home solar panel systems, wind power, and energy conservation.

The beginning of the solar revolution was fueled by our ventures in space. It was impossible to bring enough energy into space to power satellites for the life of their missions so scientists found a way to harness the direct source of all of earth’s energy- the sun. Solar panels were first used to power the space stations and satellites before the technology made its way down to earth.

The first earthly applications for solar panels were limited to devices with a low demand for electricity such as lights and calculators. Solar light panels collected photons (light energy particles) and stored them for use at night. These lights are commonly used in gardens and as security flood lights on garages and storage sheds.

The next logical step was to use the heat of the sun to warm our water. Solar water heaters do not use solar panels rather they heat the water via convection. A heat absorbing fluid is ran through a network of pipes installed on the roof or in the attic of a home. The fluid is warmed by the rays of the sun and runs down to a storage tank. Much like the concept of a refrigerator, the warm fluid pipes are coiled around the tank, warming the water within.

The next move for homeowners looking to harness solar power is the installation of a home solar panel system. The solar panels (also known as photovoltaic cells) collect photons and through a complicated process of transferring ions electricity is produced. This electricity can be used to meet the home’s energy needs. The system does not just require panels and wiring alone however; a solar system needs an inverter to convert the electricity from DC power to AC power (the type of power commonly used by household appliances.)

Solar panels are often used in other applications such as RV and marine use. There are even generators that fuel up on solar power. Technology has given us solar powered cell phone and laptop chargers making our devices usable wherever the sun shines.

Besides solar power, home wind turbines, and other alternative energy sources are also on the rise. Wind power has been used since ancient times to grind grains and pump water. Just now is technology harnessing the wind to produce electricity that can power cities and homes. Massive wind turbines are sprouting up off shore and on windy ridges.

Clean energy does not just mean that the energy produces no pollution, but it also means that the source is renewable and cannot be depleted. This is what makes the solar and wind power so smart. The earth could not exist without the sun. Finding ways to harness its powerful rays without destroying our environment is not only intelligent, it’s natural.

Continue to explore this site and its learning center to learn more about how we can protect our planet and save massive amounts of money on energy. Thinking about how we use our energy and where it comes from is the first step in making changes that our future generations can live with. 

 

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