Solar

                          Solar Electricity - the way to go...

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.

We are indeed fortunate to live in a world of modern technology which has provided us the convenience of electricity at the flip of the switch. Most of our modern gadgets run on electricity and sudden power outages and power cuts frustrate us no end. We take all this for granted and therefore cannot imagine a world without electricity or fuel for our vehicles.

Neither do we stop to think that conventional energy which is obtained from natural resources like fossil fuels will not last forever. In the present scenario of global warming and ozone layer depletion, the world needs to make a lifestyle change to protect the environment for the future generations. We have to seriously look towards alternative energy and alternative fuels to take care of our needs.

Nature has provided us with an unlimited source of energy in the form of solar power. This is a natural resource, freely available and will be replenished as long as the Sun shines. Solar power is the energy obtained from the heat and rays of the sun. Solar power has many uses. It can be used to generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells and concentrated solar power. It can be used to heat buildings directly by passive solar building designs, or cooking and heating food with the help of solar ovens. Solar Chimneys can be used to heat and cool air.

Alternative energy is the future trend and most of the technologies pertaining to alternative energy depend directly or indirectly on the sun. Solar energy drives the atmosphere and virtually supports all life on Earth. Heat and light from the sun along with hydropower, geothermal power and wind energy account for most of the flow of renewable energy. Solar Power refers to the process of conversion of sunlight into electricity. The electricity can then be used to power up our homes, businesses and industries to continue the cycle of life.

Agriculture depends on solar energy. Plants use sunlight for photosynthesis and thus produce food. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are closely related and use solar power as their source of energy. Solar water heaters were the earliest use of solar power and continue to be used even today. Solar cookers used for cooking and drying foodstuffs offset fuel costs, reduce demand for firewood and improve air quality due to reduction of smoke. Domestic use of solar power is the best way to conserve our natural resources.

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). CSP systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. PV converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.

Commercial CSP plants were first developed in the 1980s, and the 354 MW SEGS CSP installations is the largest solar power plant in the world and are located in the Mojave Desert of California. Other large CSP plants include the Solnova Solar Power Station (150 MW) and the Andasol solar power station (100 MW), both in Spain. The 80 MW Sarnia Photovoltaic Power Plant in Canada, is the world’s largest photovoltaic plant.

There are many technologies which are being used to harness solar energy. Applications span through the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors. Solar energy can be used to produce food, heat, light and electricity. The flexibility of solar energy is manifest in a wide variety of technologies from cars and calculators to huge photovoltaic plants. Recent price hikes and erratic availability of conventional fuels are factors that are renewing interest in solar heating technologies. Thus solar power is important to the very existence of the world as a whole.

Especially for a state like Tamilnadu, which is presently in a bad shape in meeting the demand for electricity, more electricity generation thru alternate sources are need of the hour.

We look forward to Jayalalithaa's government formation on 13th May 2011 which would focus on solar based electricity generation and sure it will help the state to grow to next level in energy production.