{"id":8023,"key":"Solar_energy","title":"Solar energy","latest":{"id":1273136,"timestamp":"2026-09-16T12:56:54Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{Topic notice}}\n\n[[File:The Sun by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory - 20100819.jpg|thumb]]\n\n'''Solar energy''' means [[energy]] from sunlight, in any form. Solar energy, radiant [[light]] and [[heat]] from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as [[Wind power|wind]] and wave power, [[hydroelectricity]] and [[biomass]], account for most of the available [[renewable energy]] on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used. Solar energy's uses are limited by human ingenuity, and the finite resourced to build the sys.\n\nA partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via [[Solar still|distillation]] and [[Solar water disinfection|disinfection]], [[daylighting]], [[solar hot water]], [[solar cooking]], and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes. To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use [[solar panel]]s.\n\nSolar technologies are characterized as either [[passive solar]] or active solar, depending on the way the energy is captured, converted and distributed. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and [[Solar thermal energy|solar thermal]] collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the suns seasonal orientation, selecting materials with favorable [[thermal mass]], which will capture and radiate solar energy, light dispersing properties that will disperse light energy, or designing spaces that naturally circulate solar heated air.\n\nSolar paneled roofs and devices are all around us. Their presence in society increased in conjunction with environmental consciousness. Solar power is a renewable alternative to the greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels affecting the atmosphere and the climate.\n\nNonrenewable energy sources, like oil, natural gas, and coal, pollute the environment and trap heat in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere. As heat remains in the atmosphere for an extended period, the global temperature rises. This increase impacts consistent weather patterns across the planet, otherwise known as climate change.\n\nTo challenge these adverse effects on the environment, renewable energy stepped up to the plate. Solar power is now the most popular form of renewable energy. To better understand how these systems can reduce the effects of climate change, we must first evaluate its roots.<ref>A History of Solar Power - Green Living Consultants, Companies, Electric Car Expert, Green Living, Electric Car News <nowiki>https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/03/a-history-of-solar-power/</nowiki></ref>\n\n== Applications ==\n\n{{To Catch the Sun}}\n\nSome forms of solar energy such as [[heating]] are well-adapted to low-technology [[Appropriate technology|appropriate]] construction, while others such as [[photovoltaic]] cells for the production of [[electricity]] are typically mass-produced in high-tech capital-intensive factories. Designs can be active or [[Passive solar|passive]] {{Expansion needed}}\n\n=== Electricity ===\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar power}}\n\n=== Cooking ===\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar cooker}}\n\n=== Dehydrating ===\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar dehydrating}}\n\n=== Hot water ===\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar hot water}}\n\n=== Water disinfection ===\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar water disinfection}}\n\n=== Distillation ===\n\n==== Water distillation ====\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar distillation}}\n\n==== Fuel alcohol distillation ====\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar fuel alcohol distillation}}\n\n=== Other uses ===\n\n* Various steps in [[papermaking]]\n* Producing mechanical energy with a [[heat engine]]\n\n== Measurement ==\n\n{{Excerpt|How to measure solar energy}}\n\n== Conversion system ==\n\n{{Excerpt|Solar energy conversion system}}\n\n== Benefits ==\n\nThe '''solar energy benefits''' are multiple:\n\n* Solar energy is one of the primary renewable energy sources\n* A solar system can substantially reduce electricity bills. The amount that can be reduced from your bills depends on the size of the solar system and the household energy usage.\n* Solar energy can be used for different purposes, such as electricity ([[photovoltaics]]) and heat ([[solar thermal]]).\n* Solar energy systems generally require low maintenance costs. Cleaning companies ask on average for £25-£35 per cleaning, and manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty.\n* The technological developments taking place within the solar panel industry assure that solar panels will continue being one of the most effective sustainable energy sources on the planet.\n\nFor more specific articles on solar energy, see [[:Category:Solar]].\nor you can check out this website. Ethraa-a\n\n== The Sun ==\n\n[[File:Solar energy harvester orientation.png|thumb|Optimum orientation of solar energy harvesters]]\n\n[[File:House glass tilt.png|thumb|Optimum tilt of windows by latitude]]\n\nOur sun is one of the major sources of energy we have access to. The sun at its core converts hydrogen to helium through a thermonuclear fusion reaction. The energy from the reaction travels from the core of the sun to the surface and is primarily released as light. The energy the earth receives comes in two forms, heat and light. According to the US Department of Energy every hour enough energy reaches the earth to meet our energy demands for the whole year. The amount of sun that reaches the earth annually is 4x10<sup>18</sup> Joules. The amount of energy consumed by world population is about 3X10<sup>15</sup> Joules.\n\n== External links ==\n\n* [https://permies.com/f/109/solar Solar forums at permies.com]\n\n[https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2014/08/5-advantages-and-5-disadvantages-of-solar-energy GreenMatch - Pros and Cons of Solar Energy]. The article containing information and graphics on benefits and disadvantages with buying solar energy systems.\n\n* [https://generatorchecker.com/calculator/ Solar Charge Time Calculator] - Free tool to calculate solar panel charging time for portable power stations based on panel wattage, battery capacity, and real-world derating factors.\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Smart windows]]\n* [[Sun related calculations]]\n* [[Peer to peer finance mechanisms to support renewable energy growth]]\n\n== Notes and references ==\n\n<references />\n\n{{Solar footer}}\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| keywords = solar, Energy, Solar power\n| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy\n| description = From cooking to clean water, Appropedia’s Solar Portal shows solar use in daily life. Simple ideas with big impact.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Energy]]\n[[Category:Solar power]]"}