Solar Energy; Secret of all of those millions of little Engines

Even back in 1938 they were dreaming of a clean and unlimited source of energy. Now in 2008, it's finally time for us to become independent of foreign oil. If we want to do it sooner rather than later, it's going to require some compromise from all sides. If we don't compromise and get started now, then ten years from now, we will have no one to blame but our selves for the economic and environmental damage that will have taken place. So just pick a reason, whether its economic security, national security, global warming, or a concern for our environment, pick one, two, three, or all of the above, or maybe you have a different reason, it doesn't matter as long as we all have the same goal of being energy independent.
jbranstetter04




Copyright 2007 The Need Project.

What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is radiant energy that is produced by the sun. Every day the sun radiates, or sends out, an enormous amount of energy. The sun radiates more energy in one second than people have
used since the beginning of time!

History of Solar Energy
People have harnessed solar energy for centuries. As early as the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would
cause wood to catch fire. More than 100 years ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to make steam to drive a steam engine. In the
beginning of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar energy in earnest. One important development was a remarkably efficient solar boiler invented by
Charles Greeley Abbott, an American astrophysicist, in 1936. The solar water heater gained popularity at this time in Florida, California, and the Southwest. The industry started in the early 1920s and was in full swing just before World War II. This growth lasted until the mid-1950s when low-cost natural gas became the primary fuel for heating American homes. The public and world governments remained largely indifferent
to the possibilities of solar energy until the oil shortages of the 1970s. Today, people use solar energy to heat buildings and water and to generate electricity.

Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic comes from the words photo meaning light and volt, a measurement of electricity. Sometimes photovoltaic cells are called PVcells or solar cells for short. You are probably already
familiar with solar cells. Solar-powered calculators, toys, and telephone call boxes all use solar cells to convert light into electricity.

Solar Energy and the Environment
Using solar energy produces no air or water pollution, and it is a free and widely available energy source. Manufacturing the photovoltaic cells to harness that energy, however, consumes
silicon and produces some waste products. In addition, large solar thermal farms can harm desert ecosystems if not properly managed. Most people agree, however, that solar energy, if it
can be harnessed economically, is one of the most viable energy sources for the future.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• energy
• panels
• power
• future
• green
• history
• secret

[peebeebaynut]

So where's this clip from?

[jbranstetter04]

You can't take it with you (1938)

[masterix6]

Bob Smith... married wife just had a baby.. didn't think it was fair to gamble with the future... Fast forward to 2011 and things are the same...

[CTOL1]

In a relevant world we learn to do with what we have...

If all we had was the sun, we make due with that... problem is we don't "do" anything but what we are told to do.

Design or lack there of our cities and rural areas mandate we must have vehicles.

How insane

Rather we have Bankers putting us into debt on the latest thing we can not afford..... sigh

Don't mind me, I am 1/2 sane

[AStarSpangledGirl]

The problem is when GOVERNMENT gets involved. Then it is not different than oil.

Go to protectourlands do tor g and get more info...and watch this video.

watch?v=kPswlAmEvoM

[AStarSpangledGirl]

Nuclear Energy is the only thing that will give us enough resources at this point...

[trainstation21]

The Problem i see with solar is it is totally subsidized by government Refunds etc.. they need to do a Dispersed Style Of Solar (not big solar farms) but a combination of Contrasted Solar Plants and The Standard Grid Tied in Systems on All Government Buildings Solves Both Energy Demands and Terrorism issue by Dispersing the Grid More .. Gives it more Protection without the high Security police State they wanna have around Power Plants

[SoFlaPatriot]

My biggest grievance with my fellow conservatives is that they like to malign and insult solar power. Glenn Beck really pisses me off on this subject. I have always thought that a goal should be every building that has an actual electric meter should have 1kw worth of panels on the roof, at a minimum. How many structures are there in the US? 250 million? Collectively massive amounts of energy would be captured every day. Reducing peoples energy bills and creating jobs.

[HalfGasHalfWater]

I have the plans that show you exactly how to build your own solar panels and wind mill fast, cheap and easy. Visit my Website and see.

[tapijtklopper]

Yeah but we should keep searching for ways to make energy form different things, its great if we solve that problem but the social structure will change vastly and many more new issues will come. One solutions spawns another problem.

We should also cooperate more.

[prettiestlisa]

wonderful clip