The Sun Rising on a Solar Cell
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Solar Power Introduction

Try asking someone on the street what they think of when you say alternative energy. They will probably say something like "Oh, you mean solar power?" Solar power is one of the most traditional methods of producing energy other than using the nonrenewable resources of the earth called fossil fuels.

There are two main areas of alternative power production associated with solar power. One application of solar power is in making electricity to use for any process associated with human living, including lighting, heating, cooking, and conditioning. The other category of solar power is in the heating of a room or an entire home by using the sun's rays to heat a water supply or some other material. In depth solar heating information starts on the Other Information page for Solar Power.

The solar cells used on most satellites and space travel vehicles is based on the same chemical and physical principles as a hand-held radio or calculator. A device called a transistor operates very similarly to a solar cell. How does the piece of silicon convert the sun's rays into electricity? Physics answers this question and explains the actions of the electrons Solar Physics page should be visited for concentrated related physics information.

The material science behind the processes that occur with in a solar cell are discussed at the Chemistry page for Solar Power. Did you know that silicon is not the only element used in the production of a silicon solar cell? In fact, some solar cells do not include any silicon at all. The manufacturing process to produce a solar cell is rather long and includes the addition of several other key elements. What factors determine which elements will be used in the manufacturing process? The answers to these questions are posted at the chemistry page discussed earlier in this paragraph.

In order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an alternative energy form, the history including its invention, and implementation must be examined. No one in modern civilization has been credited with a patent or copyright for using the sun as a source of heat. A patent for this technology would be useless because it is freely available all over the galaxy. What events in recent years changed the way solar power is used? Due floating debris in space, the solar cells of the Hubble Telescope were bent and had to be fixed. Have there been disasters that led to an increase in the knowledge about how solar cells work? The changes in solar power over time will be discussed at the History Page.

Solar power works well in places of abundant sunlight, but areas of low solar activity can also benefit from utilizing the power of the sun. In order to evaluate the affordability and ease of use of solar power, geography must be considered. Geography covers weather, altitude and location on the earth. Follow the previous link to read about influences georgraphy has on solar power adoption.