Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Solar power technology uses the light of the sun to generate power. The sun is a major source of renewable energy and is available in abundance. Active solar technology uses electrical or mechanical equipment, such as pumps and fans, to manufacture the usable heat in a system. Passive solar power is derived from the rays of the sun without using mechanical devices or equipment. Direct sunlight can be used for heating, cooling or ventilating rooms or it can be stored for future use. Passive solar technology turns sunlight into heat which is used for various domestic purposes. The trend nowadays is to build environmentally –friendly homes. A good practice is to have the suns rays directly pouring into your house, so that you can have a solarium to conserve the heat of the sun, and use it whenever necessary. This is passive solar technology at its best, because all that is required is clear glass window panes incorporated into the design of the house.

Passive solar technologies like the solar furnace sometimes require a small amount of conventional power to operate them. A solar furnace is created to channel the sunlight to one place and then storing it for future use. Storing the trapped heat or aligning the mirrors of the solar furnace may require some amount of electricity. There are other passive solar powered devices like the solar chimney and the solar cooking equipment. Sunlight, a free and abundant natural resource can thus be used as a fuel to power up a lot of devices. Passive solar power does not harm the ozone layer and is therefore the most preferred source of solar energy. Passive solar systems have zero or little operating costs, emit no toxic gases, and are low on maintenance costs, they should be given full consideration as a renewable source of energy.

Solar gain means the increase in temperature of a particular area due to the sun’s radiation. The more intense the sunlight, the more the solar gain. The intense heat of the sun can be used to optimize performance in a solar furnace as it uses the concentrated energy accumulated within.

Most of the renewable energy technologies depend either directly or indirectly on the Sun. Solar energy is responsible for dissipating the precipitation around the globe, it promotes wind movement, formation of waves and tides in the oceans.

Solar power can help to mitigate the losses caused due to power outages. It reduces energy imports and dependence on foreign oil imports, thereby reducing trade deficits. Using solar power for domestic purposes like cooking and heating water, for commercial lighting and industrial use will reduce the burden on the economy. In the long run, it will provide an affordable, natural and eco-friendly source of energy which is constantly being replenished by nature. A lot of people, realizing the importance of solar power are switching over from more conventional energy sources to solar energy.



Residential Hot Water Heater