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Renewable Energy
Solar
Power
The sun, essentially
the origin of all energy on Earth, offers a plethora
of applications.  Solar
energy is mainly used to produce electricity through
the use of photovoltaic cells or heating water or air
entering a building via solar collectors. The feasibly
of using solar energy depends upon the availability
and density of solar energy within a specific region.
Photovoltaic cells
directly convert solar energy to electricity utilizing
the medium of semiconductor cells. Another application,
solar heating, can reduce the need for traditional water
heating by two thirds. Heating occurs through advection
as the water passes via a pipe or tube through the solar
collector. The process can be applied to heating the
air passing into a house. Passive solar heating, which
can greatly reduce winter electricity costs, requires
minimal additions if one's house is designed with this
use in mind.
Image
credit:
National Renewable Energy Lab, Photographic
Information Exchange
Recent
Developments in Solar Energy
Ted Turner recently started a new company, DT Solar, to develop and build high quality renewable energy generation systems for commercial, institutional and industrial clients. The company plans for immediate expansion into several U.S. markets,
including California, where it will take advantage of the states $3 billion, ten-year program to increase the use of solar power in the state.
Adapted from:
DT Solar's Press Release, Jan. 10, 2007.
For more information
on solar energy, see:
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