| It should be no surprise that interest in solar power has | | | | become a common household subject of discussion |
| significantly increased in lieu of the recent energy crisis | | | | as we continue to deal with limited fossil fuels. But |
| in California. Rising costs, brown outs, and downright | | | | those who resist the idea suggest that solar energy is |
| black outs make living in a technological world virtually | | | | not efficient. They claim that it cannot be ever present |
| impossible. Thanks to price gouging, energy costs have | | | | or they claim that converting to solar power is more |
| skyrocketed and made simple things like paying what | | | | expensive to operate than electricity or gas. If you're |
| used to be a minor bill - a major budgeting issue. | | | | interested in solar power, and you want to learn how it |
| Anyone who depends on electricity to power large | | | | can indeed lower your bills all year round, then you |
| appliances has been affected at one time or another | | | | need to read this article! Types Of Solar Energy and |
| by the questionable moves of electric utility companies | | | | How They Work Solar power can be classified |
| (like the infamous Enron for example), but price | | | | according to how it's used. It can be a direct or indirect |
| gouging isn't the only problem behind electric woes. | | | | power source, for example. Direct solar power |
| Electricity - as strong as it can be - can actually be | | | | converts solar energy once before it's used, whereas |
| fragile as well. Too much consumption for instance, | | | | indirect solar power converts solar energy several |
| can upset an entire grid system within a matter of | | | | times before it's finally used. An example of direct |
| minutes. A minor lightening storm or a strong windfall | | | | solar power is sunlight warming a surface that's used |
| can have detrimental effects as well. Even pests can | | | | to heat another object. An example of indirect solar |
| effect the efficiency of electricity in homes and | | | | power is sunlight warming a mechanical device that's |
| buildings! Solar power is affected by none of those | | | | designed to run a motor - a motor that used to cut the |
| things. Since it's powered by the sun, it can not be | | | | grass or turn on a sprinkler system for example. In |
| affected by price gouging. (Hey, the last time we | | | | addition to direct or indirect solar power, passive solar |
| checked - the sun was free!) Nor can it be affected | | | | power is the only source of energy for a particular |
| by over consumption or things like wire-chewing | | | | use, where as active solar power is combined with |
| critters! Definition Solar power is energy from the sun | | | | other mechanics, like pumps, storage cells, or blowers. |
| converted into thermal or Electrical energy. It's also | | | | Through the use of these different applications, solar |
| defined as solar energy or alternative energy. The | | | | power is used today to absorb heat, trap heat, and |
| term alternative energy is appropriate when referring | | | | distribute heat for a very long time. Of course in warm |
| to any power source other than electricity. Solar | | | | weather, this same energy is used to trigger cooling |
| power, or energy, however specifies energy from the | | | | devices. |
| sun. Current Usage Today, solar power has almost | | | | |