Sunday, June 21, 2009

Your Thermonuclear Source of Solar Energy

By Walter Hull

The Sun can be thought of as a giant nuclear furnace stationed in the sky. It is a tremendous source of solar energy, cranking out massive amounts of radiation each and every day.

The term solar energy is used to describe electromagnetic radiation released by the sun. This radiation is extremely important to the Earths biosphere, and is the source of our existence. It is the catalyst for life as we know it on our planet.

Electromagnetic radiation is composed of tiny invisible energy waves, all traveling at the speed of light (3x108 meters per second). Forms of electromagnetic radiation include X-rays, gamma waves, radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, ultra-violet waves, and the visible light spectrum. The only difference between the waves is their frequency of resonance, and they are characterized based on this.

Solar energy plays a primary role in all biological and thermal interactions on the Earth. With the presence of carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy, plants are able to produce energy through a process called Photosynthesis.

Solar energy is also the primary element that forms weather patterns. The Sun warms the surface of the earth, whereby wind patterns develop. Solar energy is absorbed in the oceans, and this helps form the currents. Evaporation caused by solar energy is what fundamentally leads to clouds and thunderstorms.

Solar energy is the catalyst for almost everything that occurs on Earth. It is as though the Earth has its own power plant, a giant Nuclear Fusion Reactor in outer space. It is a good thing too, because without it we would all be screwed.

Imagine if the Sun suddenly burned out, which scientists predict will happen someday. It is a reminder of the delicate balance to our existence, that Mother Nature will always hold the trump card to human prosperity. We should offer thanks for each and every day that we are blessed with the Sun.

Thinking about it like that, we should probably all wake in the Morning and give thanks to the Sun. It is the single item in our existence we take most for granted. What if the Sun disappeared for one day? Just think of the mayhem and chaos this would create. And think of all the solar energy that would be lost all over the world.

The modern age has brought us some new tools and technologies when dealing with solar energy. Now we can make electricity directly to power our homes. We can concentrate the solar energy and store it in thermal beds, or make hot water and steam.

We are entering a new age of energy generation for fulfilling our daily needs. We believe modern civilization has only just begun with these new age energies. Reaping the benefits of solar power and solar heat is in its infancy.

How much can we rely on these new technologies to power our daily needs? Does making power from solar energy really save in the long run? How difficult are solar energy systems to integrate, and what types of technologies are the best? We pondered these very questions ourselves, and decided to share some of the answers.

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