Solar Energy Solar energy is a combination of heat and light produced by the sun. The sun is the basis of all
life on Earth. All forms of renewable and fossil energies are
somehow related to solar radiation. The average solar radiation over
the course of one year arriving at the top of the Earth's atmosphere at any
point in time is roughly 1,366 watts per square meter. Depending on the Sun
angle at different times of the year, scattering processes in the
Earth's atmosphere, the cloud cover effect and absorption, the Earth's
surface receives a direct irradiance of at least 250 W/m2, according to
World meteorological Organization. This represents a daily irradiation of
approximately 6 kWh/m2. Solar Thermal energy In temperate climates, heating buildings may require the use mechanical systems. When the sunlight can be harnessed; instead of using electrical powered systems, solar thermal systems offer an interesting alternatives for heating or hot water supply. The most common solar systems are solar water heater for hot water and solar floor heating system. These mechanisms allow not only to save on energy cost, which is good for our pocket but more importantly to cut on carbon emissions and contribute in global efforts to save the planet. | Related Links http://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=32 http://www.epia.org/news/fact-sheets/ http://geenergyfinancialservices.com/ press_releases/view/118 http://www.helpsavetheclimate.com/solar.html http://www.renewablesinternational.net/ changes-for-solar-in-germany/150/452/ 77990/ project_detail.cfm/projectID=62 showtext.cfm?t=ptb1007 GLOBALENVIRONMENTFACILITYGEF OPERATIONS/Resources/Publications-Presentations/SolarThermal.pdf |