| Solar energy comes in many forms. The majority of | | | | industrial processes. |
| us are most familiar with solar cells, but there are | | | | · Solar Chemical - There are a number of |
| actually many different ways to create and store solar | | | | different solar energy processes that absorb sunlight in |
| energy. Here are a few of those ways: | | | | a chemical reaction to create that solar energy. More |
| · Solar Cells - Most of us have seen solar cells | | | | research is needed on solar chemical energy before |
| used on calculators with LCDs. But they have also | | | | we can apply it practically. Much of this research is on |
| been used in many other ways. Solar cells use | | | | photoelectrolysis of water. |
| semiconductors (oftentimes, silicon) to generate | | | | · Solar Updraft Tower - This is a type of solar |
| electricity, directly from the sunlight. | | | | energy plant in which air passes under an agricultural |
| · Solar Fibers - This is also a photovoltaic device | | | | glass house, gets heated by the sun, and is then |
| (like the solar cells), only it does not use silicon. Rather, it | | | | channel up toward a convection tower. It is used to |
| has a solar tape that is made with titanium dioxide. This | | | | drive turbines which generate electricity. |
| tape could actually be combined with building materials | | | | · Energy Tower - This tower uses water, |
| or even clothing. | | | | unfortunately, but it is also a good design and works in |
| · Solar Pond - A solar pond is made of three | | | | a similar way to the solar updraft tower. Water is |
| layers: the top layer as low salt content. The middle | | | | sprayed at the top of the water. The water |
| layer is an insulating layer with salt, and it prevents | | | | evaporates which causes a downdraft by cooling the |
| natural convection in the water (which would normally | | | | air. This coolness increases the density of the air and |
| cause heat exchange). The bottom layer as a very | | | | then drives turbines that are at the bottom of the |
| high salt content, and this layer can approach high | | | | tower. |
| temperatures. Because of all the densities in salt of the | | | | These are just a few ways in which solar energy has |
| different layers, there are no convection currents | | | | been and is being created. Perhaps the most common |
| (which normally transfer heat to the surface and then | | | | household type of solar energy is that created by |
| the air). The heat that gets trapped in the bottom layer | | | | solar cells. Nonetheless, these other types are very |
| can be used to heat buildings, generate electricity, or in | | | | promising and certainly have their place. |