How To Bring Solar Energy Into Your Life

Our world has suffered so much because of the ways that we have ripped our power supplies out of its body. For decades we thought nothing of depleting the oil and natural gas reserves from our planet, but maybe we can start to redress this balance.

Our world has suffered so much because of the ways that we have ripped our power supplies out of its body. For decades we thought nothing of depleting the oil and natural gas reserves from our planet, but maybe we can start to redress this balance. Solar energy is a clean and replenishable energy source, so why isn't everybody using it? Expense may be the reason, but these days we can easily reduce that cost by government grants and reduced tariffs. Let's take a look at solar power and see why we should be taking advantage of this natural wonder.

What Is Solar Power?

Solar power is where sunlight is changed into electricity using concentrated solar power or photovoltaics.  Concentrated solar power systems tend to use mirrors or lenses to send a large amount of sunlight into a small light beam. Photovoltaics change light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.

Solar Power History

This method of harnessing the sun's energy has been with us for nearly two hundred and fifty years. In 1767, Horace-Benedict de Saussure created the world's first solar collector. It was a box covered with three layers of glass. This contraption had the ability to absorb the heat of the sun and it reached a temperature of two hundred and thirty degrees fahrenheit. In eighteen thirty nine, a French scientist names Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect by using two electrodes placed in an electrolyte.

Solar Power In Our Home

As well as installing solar panels on your roof, there are standalone systems that will also take advantage of the free power on offer. Here are a few you might want to try:

- Solar powered gate opener - This will automatically open your front gate without costing you a penny. It is an easy to install system and gives you an entry level insight into the world of solar energy!

- Garden Lighting System - These have been on the scene for quite a while. They can be installed by your patio or anywhere in your garden. You simply place them in a sunny part of your garden and wait until the day starts to fade. The power they collect in the sunshine can power one of these units for over twelve hours. You can space them out alongside your garden path for a lovely nighttime garden spectacle.

- Solar Water Heater - As the prices of heating continue to soar, these can be a real boon to the family budget. Installed correctly, they can save you up to eighty percent on your water heating bills. They may cost a little extra when you first install them, but this will be repaid after a few years of reduced bills.

- Solar Powered Fridge/Freezer - You can by these as a kit and soon enjoy the freedom of these clever devices. They were originally designed for far flung locations without an electrical supply. But they have caught on and can also save you a lot of money in the long run!

If you are a 'Go Green' person, you should go for these solar home utilities for a clean and green living. Contact an expert in solar energy in Melbourne or anywhere else to know more about these products. To get more in-depth information, take a look at this website!

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