The Importance of Solar Energy

The sun shines upon Earth every day, yet no one thinks much of it. Solar power’s importance, though, is above what anyone could have ever imagined. There is active solar energy, which is when solar power is converted into light, heat, cause air-movement for ventilation or cooling, or store heat for future use. Less thought of, the other type of solar energy is passive energy, which most take for granted. Solar power provides life with heat, light, and now, electricity. Solar power also plays a role in 4 of the 5 areas of green technology: energy, green building, environmentally preferred purchasing, and green chemistry. All in all, solar power is quite a unique form of energy.

The most simplest type of solar energy is passive energy. It is when solar energy is used directly in the forms of heat or light. This energy can be collected as easily as changing the way a structure is oriented, designed, or constructed. Windows can allow the sun to heat and illuminate the room to replace electricity during the day. Heat-absorbing surfaces like dark walls can help collect heat to warm the home, while air vents are used spread the warm air around the house (Gale). All in all, passive energy is one of the two types of solar energy.

Active energy is when solar power is turned into electricity using a technology called Solar Photovoltaic (PV) or into heat by Solar Thermal. Unlike passive solar energy, this type of energy is not directly changed into the forms. Semiconductors are used in Solar Photovoltaic. They create electricity when hit by sunlight. They are flat-plates that have insulated glass-covered box painted black to maximize the collection of heat. Between the collectors water circulates in loops, where the water is heated, and the...

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...panels take up since they take up lots of space.

All in all, solar energy is quite important to life on Earth. Without passive solar energy, what humans call life would not have existed. Active energy can be beneficial to the health of planet Earth. It can be used to replace fossil fuels because they will run out as the demands for it are constantly increasing. Solar energy is extremely environmentally friendly in comparison to other forms of energy. It is also a type of energy that humans have a lot of, the amount is almost endless. People who live far and isolated from electricity power plants can just use the solar panels that are installed on their roof for energy. Changing to solar energy will also help life on Earth greatly in the long run and will help slow disasters such as global warming. Solar energy is more significant than anyone could have imagined.