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Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Solar Energy takes energy from the sun and transforms it into heat and electricity. The solar energy industry has been developing more rapidly in recent years, as it is a completely renewable energy form that doesn't contribute to global warming. It has trouble competing with fossil fuels due to the massive government subsidies that fossil fuels receive as compared to the renewable energy industry.

Top Questions Asked on ChaCha.com for Solar Energy

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  1. What is a good slogan for solar energy?

    Brighten Your Day with Solar Power! Solar power - The Sunny S...

  2. What does solar energy trapped by gases in Venus's atmosphere cause?

    Solar energy trapped by gases in Venus's atmosphere causes th...

  3. How can solar energy be trapped in the atmosphere?

    The changing composition of the atmosphere, particularly its ...

  4. Whats solar energy?

    Solar energy is the energy we recieve from the sun. It also p...

  5. How much does a small home solar energy power kit cost?

    $899 found on Amazon.com. Can also build your own for savings...

  1. What is the potential for solar energy?

    There is a lot of potential for Solar Energy and how you use ...

  2. What does solar energy trapped by gases in Venus's atmosphere cause?

    Solar energy trapped by gases in Venus's atmosphere causes th...

  3. Is solar energy a reusable resource?

    Solar Energy and secondary solar resources such as wind and w...

  4. What is a solar energy plant?

    A solar energy plant is a power-producing facility that uses ...

  5. What is the percentage of solar energy used from solar panels in New Mexico?

    There is no estimate on how much energy New Mexico gets from ...

Top Questions Asked on ChaCha Mobile for Solar Energy

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  1. What describes a disadvantage of using solar cells as an energy source?

    One of the main disadvantages is the initial cost of the equi...

  2. Which is a more effective alternate energy source, solar or wind power?

    Wind is believed to be more effective. However if you combine...

  3. How is energy generated using a solar panel?

    Solar panels collect solar radiation from the sun and activel...

  4. Why would it be necessary for a home using solar energy to have some type of an energy storage device?

    Energy storage is necessary to save it on slow days & to swit...

  5. What causes the loss of solar energy?

    About 30% of solar radiation is scattered or reflected back i...

  1. How is energy generated using a solar panel?

    Solar panels collect solar radiation from the sun and activel...

  2. What is solar energy?

    Solar energy (n) is solar power: energy from the sun that is ...

  3. Why would it be necessary for a home using solar energy to have some type of an energy storage device?

    Energy storage is necessary to save it on slow days & to swit...

  4. What describes a disadvantage of using solar cells as an energy source?

    One of the main disadvantages is the initial cost of the equi...

  5. Which is a more effective alternate energy source, solar or wind power?

    Wind is believed to be more effective. However if you combine...

About Solar Energy

Solar energy is a renewable energy and alternative energy source which harnesses power from the sun. Solar energy is captured one of two ways. 'Active' solar production takes place by collecting solar energy through solar panels.

An example of 'passive' solar production would be orienting the windowed side of a house towards the sun to collect heat and light. Active solar energy has a variety of applications because solar panels can be outfitted to homes, businesses, cars, planes, and arranged into impressive arrays to fuel cities and their energy needs.

Though solar power accounts for only 1% of the energy produced in the United States, it has no undesired effects, and is environmentally-friendly and renewable (EIA.DOE.Gov).

The two main types of solar energy used in the U.S. are Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic (PV). Solar Thermal panels on the roof or other location heat glycol, and that heat is transferred to water tanks to provide hot water and some heating applications. Solar Thermal has become very economical.

Solar PV transforms energy from the sun, using silicon panels on the roof or other location, directly into electricity used to power appliances, etc. in the home and in buildings.

Related Images

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 05: Solar panels can be seen on residences as Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits the Khayalitsha Township to view an environmental project involving solar energy on day four of a five day tour of South Africa on November 5, 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a five day tour of South Africa before heading to Tanzania for four days. The Royal couple will be highlighting environmental and social issues during their visit to Africa.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) awards the National Medal of Technology to Dr. Jayant Baliga of Raleigh, North Carolina, for the development and commercialization of a range of power semiconductor devices that are extensively used today in lighting, medicine, and renewable energy generation systems, including hybrid and electric vehicles and solar energy sources, at the White House October 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama honored the recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers, and inventors.

US President Barack Obama presents the National Medal of Science to Dr. Peter J. Stang during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, October 21, 2011. Stang received the medal for work on the processes by which individual molecules assemble into larger chemical systems—a field of study with biological and industrial applications ranging from improved petroleum refining to the development of synthetic molecules capable of photosynthesis for use in solar energy technology.

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Solar Energy