Solar energy is a very useful form of energy like atomic and wind energy. The problems of rising costs of fuels like oil and gas and the pollution caused by them have made scientists work on solar energy for man's future use. About half of the solar energy is light,about half is infrared radiation and very little ultraviolet radiation.
In older times in China, Egypt, the Middle East, Greece and Italy solar energy was used to evaporate salt water to get salt. Crop drying through solar heat was also common. In the 19th century, it was used for preparing wine in Chile. In the early 20th century, it was used in Egypt to run an engine for pumping irrigation water from the Nile.
In modern times, the first main use of solar energy is to change it into thermal energy. Solar rays hit a flat plate collector which absorbs a lot of heat. This flat plate collector is then used for water heating, house heating, air-conditioning and for getting salt from salt water and pure drinking water from sea water. Solar water-heaters are in use in Australia, Japan and America. In air conditioning the flat plate collector supplies heat to operate an air conditioner. In solar evaporation, pure water vapor is collected in storage tanks.
Scientists are trying to convert solar energy to electric energy through solar cells. A solar cell is an invention that directly changes solar radiation to electric energy. Spaceships get their electric power through solar cells. Further, they are being used to provide power supplies from them. At present the cost of producing electricity from solar cells is high.
Heat engines are being used to convert solar energy to mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is used directly or again converted to electric energy for operating machines. Heat collectors are used to heat fluids whose steam passes through engines where it is converted to mechanical energy.
We can use the solar energy or heat stored in the sea. Most of the solar energy that comes to the world is taken by the sea. The water and the surface of the sea is warmer than at the depth. Heat flows from the area of higher temperature to that of a lower one. There have been attempts to make solar cars in Europe and elsewhere. These cars run electric energy instead of oil. The car batteries charged with solar energy provide the electric energy.
Solar energy may be answer to many of our energy problems.
In older times in China, Egypt, the Middle East, Greece and Italy solar energy was used to evaporate salt water to get salt. Crop drying through solar heat was also common. In the 19th century, it was used for preparing wine in Chile. In the early 20th century, it was used in Egypt to run an engine for pumping irrigation water from the Nile.
In modern times, the first main use of solar energy is to change it into thermal energy. Solar rays hit a flat plate collector which absorbs a lot of heat. This flat plate collector is then used for water heating, house heating, air-conditioning and for getting salt from salt water and pure drinking water from sea water. Solar water-heaters are in use in Australia, Japan and America. In air conditioning the flat plate collector supplies heat to operate an air conditioner. In solar evaporation, pure water vapor is collected in storage tanks.
Scientists are trying to convert solar energy to electric energy through solar cells. A solar cell is an invention that directly changes solar radiation to electric energy. Spaceships get their electric power through solar cells. Further, they are being used to provide power supplies from them. At present the cost of producing electricity from solar cells is high.
Heat engines are being used to convert solar energy to mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is used directly or again converted to electric energy for operating machines. Heat collectors are used to heat fluids whose steam passes through engines where it is converted to mechanical energy.
We can use the solar energy or heat stored in the sea. Most of the solar energy that comes to the world is taken by the sea. The water and the surface of the sea is warmer than at the depth. Heat flows from the area of higher temperature to that of a lower one. There have been attempts to make solar cars in Europe and elsewhere. These cars run electric energy instead of oil. The car batteries charged with solar energy provide the electric energy.
Solar energy may be answer to many of our energy problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment