Solar Power
| Solar Power is about the process of taking sunlight and converting it into electricity. The most common way to harness solar power has been through the use of Photovoltaics, or PV. PV cells are essentially little devices that convert light into electric current by way of the Photoelectric effect, which arose out of the study of quantum mechanics. It was for this work that Albert Einstein won his Nobel Prize in 1921. Basically, PV cells use technology invented by some really smart guys in order to harness the power of the sun. These are put into products, like solar panels, that can then be used to power your Nintendo DS or your home's lighting needs. On the business side of things, the concept of Concentrating Solar Power, or CSP, has taken hold with large producers of electrical power. CSP systems use lenses and mirrors to focus large amounts of sunlight into a single beam. This single, large beam of concentrated light is then used as a heat source for conventional power plants to draw upon. The most fantastic thing about using solar power is that it is truly the ultimate source of renewable energy. We will not run out of sunlight, like we will with coal and oil, at some time in the future. So, using products and services that take advantage of the sun's ability to provide us with power is an amazing way to help build a sustainable and renewable green economy. |
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