Thursday, April 1, 2010

Applications of solar technology

Solar energy refers primarily to the use of solar radiation for practical ends. However, all renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal, derive their energy from the sun.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to the Sun. Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and are generally considered demand side technologies.
In many ways Sunlight can be converted to use, namely
Architecture and urban planning
Agriculture and horticulture
Solar lighting
Solar thermal
Water heating
Heating, cooling and ventilation
Water treatment
Cooking
Process heat
Electrical generation
Solar chemical and
Solar vehicles

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