Imagine a source of power that was limitless in abundance, available anywhere in the world and completely pollution free. If this sounds like a technology reserved for the distant future, you might be surprised to learn that it has been used by people for thousands of years. That's right — we're talking about solar power. Despite its long history, only recently has solar energy been seriously considered as an alternative to more traditional means of electricity generation.
Types of Solar Energy
Each day, the Earth receives a staggering amount of solar radiation. In fact, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there's enough energy sent to us by the sun in just 20 days to match all of the energy stored in the entire planet's reserves of coal, oil and natural gas. All of that solar energy can converted into electricity in two ways:
- Photovoltaic – Energy from the sun is converted directly into electricity, as in a solar panel. Photovoltaic production has been doubling every two years, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.
- Concentrated Solar Power – Mirrors focus sunlight directly onto photovoltaic surfaces or boiling water used to power a generator. This is typically what is used in the large solar power plants found in the desert.
While both methods are able to help meet the world's growing energy demands, solar energy is still very much in its infancy. According to Solar Generation, a joint report from the European Photovoltaic Industry and Greenpeace, solar power currently accounts for only .05 percent of the world's electricity, as most energy production is derived from burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil. However, Solar Generation goes on to estimate that solar energy will account for 2.5 percent of the world's market by 2025 and 16 percent by 2040, eliminating the need for 150 coal fired power plants and greatly reducing carbon emissions.
Solar is a totally clean and renewable source of electricity, making it a great choice for anyone in the market for green electricity. Consumers no longer have to install their own panels to take advantage of solar energy though, as many electricity companies now offer packages that use energy generated from the sun. To discover what clean energy options they have available, consumers are flocking to Web sites like WhiteFence. Something as simple as purchasing green energy today can make a world of difference for all of us tomorrow.
