What is Solar Energy?

What is solar energy and how does it work? Learn how energy released from the sun in the form of thermal (heat) and light energy can recharge your batteries, power your appliances and even your home!

It's really quite amazing how solar power works. Energy released from the sun makes up a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which contains many forms of light energy, including visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared light as well as others that we will discuss in another article.

The most important component of solar energy involves the photon which is the smallest possible packet of light energy. Photons have an extremely tiny mass, yet approximately 4.5 lbs. of sunlight strike the earth's surface every second!

Solar Energy Feeds Us and Warms Us

Solar energy provides a great deal of energy to the earth's surface. Some of this is captured by plants and some organisms to carry out the process of photosynthesis.

This process is responsible for all of the human race's food production needs, including direct intake through vegetable and fruit processing and indirect intake through livestock and wild game consumption.

Solar energy also causes the movement of wind across Earth's surface as well as the convection of ocean currents and the storage of thermal energy in those oceans to moderate Earth's atmospheric temperatures.

Learning How to Use This Gift!

Even with all these important things being "fueled" by solar radiation, a large proportion of energy from the sun is simply reflected back to space without being used. Imagine the amount of work that could be done with some of this energy if we capture it and convert it to other energy forms!

Scientists say that there is enough energy from the sun that comes to the Earth each day to fulfill all of our energy needs. In fact the Earth gets more energy from the sun in a single hour than our entire population can use in a year! We just need to learn how to use it!

In answering the "What is solar energy?" question, we ultimately want to know how much does it cost? The important thing concerning solar energy is this: IT'S FREE. Of course, this statement can be a bit misleading. The initial setup of any system in which to collect solar energy will cost something.

Whether it's an old black barrel of rain water in which you collect passive solar energy to redistribute to a shop building, or an elaborate solar panel array on the roof of your house, the need to make a purchase as well as put in time and labor is there. How much you wish to spend depends entirely on what you want or need in a solar energy collection system.

Here are some additional articles on what is solar energy that go into more detail.

Solar Power, How it Works

Solar power, how it works. That's a pretty complex question, and here are some simple ways to understand indirect and direct solar energy, passive and active solar and the difference between photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.

How is Solar Energy Used?

How is solar energy used? Learn eight ways to use solar energy affordably, and which types of solar power are available to bring clean energy to your home.

Solar Power Facts

How Solar Power Works

Have you ever wondered how solar power works and how it could be used to help you defray the cost of powering and heating your home? It's quite easy to understand once you know the basics of how the sun's energy is harnessed and then put to work in your home or garden.

More Facts About Solar Energy

With fossil fuels running out, the facts about solar energy are convincing more and more people to take that first step toward alternative energy choices. These 11 suprising solar energy facts that may help you make the same decision.

Solar Energy Information

Sometimes the amount of solar energy information on the Internet can be daunting for ordinary folks. Here is some of the most important info on solar power that you need to get started, including the newest and most affordable ways to use solar energy.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

How does solar energy work? Solar power is a term we often hear in relation to going green, being environmentally friendly, and saving money. Solar power is actually what you have after the power in the sun's rays have been converted to electricity.

Solar Cells

Solar cells are used to make solar panels to provide solar energy to homes and businesses. These are also called photovoltaic cells, which are now available to power not only entire homes but some new and interesting solar gadgets.

More Great Resources

Learn to build your own solar panel with our friends at Tropical-Rainforest-Animals.com

Living Off The Grid -- helping the family, helping the neighborhood, helping the planet -- my personal experiences of ''fun with the sun!''

Our environment is in trouble. The good news is...we can help! Easy Green Living provides information on easy ways to live a greener lifestyle. Simple tips and information about solar energy, recycling, hybrids, green cleaning products and more.

Go to top of What Is Solar Energy

Return from What Is Solar Energy to Go Green Solar Energy Home