Education And Practical Use Of Solar Energy example essay topic

Why Do We Need Solar Energy? With the world's natural resources depleting rapidly, humans must find a way to compensate. This society has milked oil, coal, gasoline, lead, uranium, and many other of these reservoirs in our Earth for hundreds of years and much has been done. Asphalt was used for our roads and highways, coal was originally used for heat before there was oil, and even water was used as a form of electricity on many rural farms.

Luckily, more companies around the world are waking up to the fact that these resources will not be around forever, and that in the near future, other forms of energy will take heed. Solar energy, or energy powered by the sun, is one of the most promising. Since the sun's rays create so much for the wildlife that surrounds us, why can't it do the same for people? It can, and as many industries are finding out, will be around long after the other resources are gone. What is solar energy? To fully comprehend this, background information must be presented.

How did we get to the point we are at now? Most people look to the 1973 oil embargo, where Arab delegates announced they'd no longer be shipping petroleum oil to countries, such as the U.S., who had supported Israel in their conflict with Egypt. About the same time as this was announced, members of OPEC agreed to quadruple world oil prices. Focus then turned to solar energy. With barely any oil being imported, the Federal government started putting close to $400 million per year for research on solar energy.

The facts were and still are ever-present: oil, coal, and nuclear energy are depletable, causing a massive amount of pollutive particles to go up into the air, which in turn causes a bounty of problems. On the other hand, solar energy is clean and renewable with no bad after effects. The actual definition of solar energy is "energy from the sun that's converted into thermal or electric energy". The terminology used when discussing solar energy may be complex and difficult to understand to the average Joe. This is because not much has been done to try and explain the uses or even the way this system operates to the public. The money allocated by the government has seemed to go towards research instead of encouraging and educating the people about the benefits of renewable energy.

The breakdown shows us that PV cells, or "photo" meaning light + "voltaic" meaning electricity = photovoltaic. Photovoltaic cells are actual devices that convert sunlight to electricity where sunlight photons free electrons from common silicon. This was first discovered during the 18th century and the PV cells themsleves were developed at Bell Labs in 1950 primarily for space use. Today, the Hubbell telescope uses solar panels for its energy requirements. NASA continues to regularly use solar energy with much of their machinery, since electricity is dangerous in space. The cost for PV cells has dropped in the last few decades and now many rural health clinics can use it for refrigeration, water pumps, and for small scale power generation.

Also, EXXON is the second largest producer of solar cells. It's also very important to mention wind turbines, the modern equivalent to the windmill. These are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. The "lift-and-drag" of the wind causes the rotor, which mounts the blades, to spin and the turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity. You may be asking "how does this relate to solar power?" Well, pressure variates between areas because of solar energy. This gives the power to these wind turbines.

Many other parts of the world have done their part in the conservation of non-renewable resources. Although, when poorer countries are more rural and tend to be lower income, not much thought is given to alternate forms of energy or conservation. These countries have to export more goods than other countries because their surroundings contain rich resources needed around the globe. That is how most economies work, and people fight to survive without that money source. On the more positive side, countries from 6 continents join in the education and practical use of solar energy. At the American University of Armenia, the largest solar energy project in the Commonwealth of Independent States has developed a heating / cooling system powered by solar panels on the roof of the main building at the university.

The system is unusually large in number of solar panels, 32, and unique for it's heating and cooling system. In Taiwan, the first 2.64 Mw wind farm was installed and operated successfully in November of 2000. Also, a number of pig farms were developed with biogas power generators, capable of generating around 23 megawatts. In the African nation of Ghana, some 1,780 homes, 42 school, 6 clinics, 24 street-lighting systems, and a water pumping machine are benefiting from Ghana's solar energy project. The Minister of Energy got the word out that this form of energy would promote growth of agriculture-based industries, create employment, and increase the productivity and wealth for people in rural areas.

Maybe the most exciting discovery recently occurred in Australia. Scientists there used special titanium oxide ceramics that use sun to actually split water to produce hydrogen fuel. This clean and almost unlimited energy supply will become complete hopefully within the next decade. These are just four of countless new ways people are working together for the sake of our environment. Furthermore, industries have boomed from these non-renewable resources.

Unlike solar energy, non-renewable resources have to be imported and exported, involves labor for it to be extracted from the source, or involves labor to be condensed into another form. These costs add up, and consumer are the ones who pay for it. In McKinney, Texas, a brand new Wal Mart was built. This is not your average shopping center though. Outside, stands numerous solar PV arrays, two wind turbines, a biofuel boiler to recycle and burn recovered oil from store operations.

If proven successful, this may very well change the face of Wal Mart, the world's biggest commercial leader. In addition to showcasing these unique creations, organizations have been formed to advocate the research, education, and new plans in foreign countries and in the US. Women living in the same community in Costa Rica all participated in their first workshop on the construction and use of solar cookers. That led to the formation of "Sol de Vida" that has formed programs and projects to promote environmental education and protection. They also emphasize rationalization of natural resources and introduce eco-friendly products such as solar cookers.

It is people like these who set out to make difference and clearly succeed. Another thing to mention are solar-powered homes. More and more people are stepping away from the norm to the unconventional side of home buying. Most solar houses are just like any other but with a few modified touches. One in Maine has an array of energy saving devices throughout the house.

Just to name a few, PV cells, solar thermal, an air-to-air heat exchanger, radiant floor, low consumption plumbing, fresh air intake, and propane for heat, cooking, and drying of clothes. These are the essentials of one solar powered house. Yes it sounds like a lot of work, but the same amount goes into a regular home. Some solar- homeowners are attracted by the low cost of monthly bills, others by the practicality. Whichever, the benefits to the inhibitors and the environment are well worth the time and money spent. In summation, we can change the world like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young once said.

It can start with one person, but will need more support in order to flourish. Solar energy is not the answer to all of the world's problems. There are constant new ones emerging each day as we humans make our everlasting impact on the planet. Yet, to get something done, one must do it himself using whatever it takes.

Partnerships, group aid awareness, community action, maybe even wars, but the time for action is quickly passing us by. The environment in which we all live in and by depends on us and the way we live in this world. With voice, action, education, and funding we will start to see a new and better future.