We have convenient ways of heating the water in our homes and although it’s running under ground we have the luxury of it running through pipes and right into faucets. We have electricity provided to us with just a simple flick of a switch. We appreciate the heat in the winter when temperatures are cold. We take for granted that these useful necessities and pleasures will always be there for us.

Our sun is an intense ball of gas in our atmosphere. It burns twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Sunlight must pass through fog, clouds, dust particles and harmful pollutants in order to reach our earth. The sunlight which hits the earth’s surface is made up of high energy ultra-violet and visible radiation. Since the earth cannot store this heat forever, the warm earth sends energy back into space.

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. It’s one of the most efficient forms of energy. It dates back to the time of the early Greeks, Native Americans and Chinese, who warmed their buildings by orienting, or positioning them towards the sun.

Approximately 3,850 zettajoules, (ZJ), per year, of solar energy are available to our earth. We can use solar power in two different ways: as a heat source, and as an energy source.

However, in order to use solar power we need a source that will attract the heat to one particular area. This source is called a solar collector. The solar collector attracts sunlight to a spot allowing the sun to pass through the source and into the space. The objects in the space absorb and hold the heat from the collector.

Generating electricity from solar power means less consumption of fossil fuels, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emission, while combating global warming that reduces our nation’s dependency on foreign energy sources.

Solar Power is becoming more renowned all the time. As technology continues to improve and products become more available, this will allow those of us who care about the planet’s future to choose wisely and impact our planet in positive ways. Here’s towards working on a zero emissions lifestyle.