Sun is the main source of inexhaustible and uncountable resource of energy. Solar energy is received in the form of cosmic radiation. The solar energy that we receive can be converted into many forms for utilization. The conversion of solar energy to thermal energy takes place through direct conversion while conversion to Photo conversion takes place through indirect conversion. Devices like solar water heater, solar cooker and solar house heater are powered using solar energy. To produce salt from oceanic water this energy can be used in the form of solar evaporator. It can also be used for the development of green house gases in areas like temperate region where the inside temperature is controlled. Also, solar energy is regarded as the safest form of energy resource from the view point of environmental protection. Solar energy also provides numerous advantages as compared to other renewable energy resources. Some of the important advantages are as follows.
– The solar equipments do not require any serious installation or costly maintenance. e.g. Solar water heater and solar cooker.
– The nutritional value food is preserved while using solar cookers.
– The space requirements for placing solar equipment is not too large.
– Most importantly solar equipments do not make any noise pollution which is quite beneficial in reducing the environmental pollution.
The One and Only Trouble
Having read about the numerous advantages of solar energy, its only disadvantage is that Solar energy would be available only during day time. However, to overcome this limitation various advanced techniques are being developed so that solar cells can store large amount of solar energy to be used when sunlight is not available.