Solar Energy – The Power of the Sun

See Related Article – The Great Earth Engine and 100% Renewable Realistic Goal or Pipe Dream or  by Brian Oram

All energy of the planet Earth has it source from the power of a past or current Sun.   The universe has been estimated to be about 14 billion years old, but our Sun is only about 5 million years old.  Because of the presence of heavier elements, we know that the Sun and our system was likely created by the remnants of a second or third generation star.  (WE are all children of a Star and Star dust).  This means that the universe recycles and our Sun was created after a previous Sun went through least two or three supernovas.  This left behind the building blocks for our current solar system.  How did the first building blocks start?  (I will let that up to you, but a good book worth reading by [amazon_textlink asin=’1621578984′ text=’Dennis Prager’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’webdespro-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8d849250-ec9c-43ce-b576-b95d430ee359′]).

Quote:
“Second-generation stars, such as the sun, contain some heavier elements. These elements could not exist just based on nuclear fusion inside stars. Instead, some of this material must have come from the supernovae of other stars. Hence, second-generation stars like our sun were formed after first-generation stars.”   Source

Since the solar energy we get from our current Sun provides the solar radiation that is used by solar panels and creates the thermal differences on the planet to support wind and the water cycle, the gravitational pull creates the tides, and the radioactive particles help to support the molten core – The Earth is really powered by past Suns and our current Sun.  Since we have to be honest, fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, in reality are nature’s way to store solar energy.  This means that fossil fuels are actually part of the natural storage system for the Earth, but they are not renewable in our short life-times, but they are renewable in geologic time. Because of this condition, we must learn and invest on other technologies, plus focus on conservation, hardening grid, adapting to a planet that has always changed, we must not rebuilding on unstable landscapes (“build on rock, not sand”), and we must make sure we have diversification in our energy platform.   Since we are human, we must also use energy as “soft power” as an alternative to “war and the funding of totalitarian regimes”.

In this post, we are going to attempt to highlight some of the basic information related to  traditional solar energy systems for residential and commercial applications  and link to solid educational resources.  To get a little in the weeds, we do not have an Energy Crisis, we have an energy waste and lack of storage crisis.   In the USA, we waste over 50 % of the energy we use and we have a lot of “energy vampires”.  Solar energy systems work well, but it depends on location, location, location, system design, system orientation, building efficiency, and building orientation.  To take the first in the process of proactive positive change, it is critical to learn.  The first steps in this learning process of making a difference and a proactive positive change is to “Learn, Question, and Act/Test”, but this must happen after your are ready to “Stand UP and Look for the Facts” and not play to the “Fear”.

Solar Power Systems

Solar power systems can be divided into three basic types, which includes active solar energy, passive solar energy, and solar thermal energy system.    In active solar energy systems, the system includes a “panel” that may be roof, or land mounted with residential and commercial applications.  The panels are photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy into an electrical current.  With passive solar energy, the goal is to attempt to intercept and store or block and redirect the radiant energy created by the sun.   Passive solar energy is managed primarily through building design, material selection, and building orientation.  Solar thermal energy system typically is limited to storing the radiant energy of the sun and using it to heat water, such as in roof mounted water heating units to create hot water or systems to heat pools.

If you are interesting in learning about solar energy and its application for your home and may be ready to ask more question or act, we would recommend reviewing the website created by Consumer Affairs. Consumer Affairs created a helpful resource that allows consumers to determine whether their house is a good fit for solar panels and allows them to compare popular solar energy companies. With the help from contributing editor, Zachary Shahan, the guide addresses the types of solar energy technology and how solar panels work. You can read more and determine if solar energy is right for you on The 10 Best Solar Energy Companies guide.

Other Interesting Resources and Educational Information

Training Courses to Learn More

Energy Audits Training Programs
Professional Engineers Continuing Education (PDHs) – Renewable Energy (Solar and More)
LEED for New Construction

Desk Reference for the DIY Group

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