The sun is the most abundant and the cheapest source of energy, yet we do not exploit its potential. In these times of depleting resources and increasing prices, the solar energy proves to be the most beneficial and the most economical power solution.

What are the uses of solar energy?

Solar energy has multiple uses, especially in the current times of energy crisis. Solar energy finds its use in the following areas:

• Cooking: The solar energy can be used in cooking with the help of a cooking utensil called the solar cooker. This cooker uses just one fuel – the sun’s light. A typical solar cooker can cook food for five people. A solar cooker does not limit itself to boiling food; it can bake and roast as well. You just need to have a little patience while cooking with a solar cooker.

• Generating electricity: With solar energy, you can run all your electrical appliances. The solar generators store electricity in cells that you can use at night.

• Heating systems: With solar energy heating systems, you can keep your house warm without worrying about electricity bills.

What is a solar generator?

A solar generator is a device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. The sun’s light energy is converted into electrical energy by solar cells also known photovoltaic cells. The return on investment of a solar generator is very fast, thus making electricity available at very low costs. The solar generator also does away with our dependence on the government for electricity. In the current times of fast-depleting fuel resources, it is only wise that we look towards implementing alternate energy solutions.

A solar generator also helps store power in cells for later use. Thus, you can illuminate your house even when the sky is cloudy. The solar generator definitely proves to be a silver lining.

What are the advantages of using a solar generator?
Pollution-free: Using a solar generator paves way to a greener environment. It does not pollute the environment in any way. Moreover, it does not make use of any of the scarce fuels.

Cost-effective: The solar generator makes use of a free energy, thus helping save money. In the long run, the electricity produced by the solar generator turns out to be available for free.

Power storage: The solar generator helps store power for the rainy days, literally. It thus ensures that you have uninterrupted power supply to your home around the clock, everyday.

Low-maintenance: The solar generator is very easy to maintain, helping you save time, effort, and money.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at earth4energy.

BBC NEWS
Floating wind turbine launched
By Jorn Madslien
Business reporter, BBC News

The world’s first floating wind turbine is to be towed out to sea this weekend.

Statoil’s Alexandra Beck Gjorv told the BBC the technology, the Hywind, to be put off Norway’s coast – “should help move offshore wind farms out of sight”.

And it could lead to offshore wind farms eventually being located many miles offshore, away from areas where they cause disruption, Ms Gjorv added.

This would benefit military radar operations, the shipping industry, fisheries, bird life and tourism.

“Taking wind turbines to sea presents new opportunities,” said Ms Gjorv, of Statoil’s new energy division.

“The wind is stronger and more consistent [and] areas are large.”

The Hywind, a 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind turbine built by Siemens, combines technologies from both the wind farming industry and the oil and gas sectors, and will be tested off the coast of Norway for two years.

In a similar way to how large parts of icebergs are hidden below the sea surface, the turbine has a 100 metre draft that is anchored to the seabed with cables, that can be up to 700 metres long.

Wealthy customers

# Floating wind turbine The floatation element stretches 100 metres below the sea surface
# It is anchored to the seabed in three places
# It can be moored in waters up to 700 metres deep

Offshore wind farms cost considerably more than wind farms on land, and initially floating ones will be more expensive than static offshore installations.

But over time, insisted Ms Gjorv, the floating turbines should not cost more than fixed ones.

Statoil plans to target markets where there is both an ability to pay as well as large and growing demand for energy, she added.

Floating wind farms could later be established off both coasts of North America and off the Iberian peninsula and the coasts of Norway and the United Kingdom, she said.

Floating wind farms could provide an additional source of energy for countries that have run out of space for their onshore wind farms, or where there is not enough wind on land, Ms Gjorv added.

“The global market for such turbines is potentially enormous, depending on how low we can press costs,” she said, though she was not able to quantify it or to outline a timescale for when floating wind farms would become commercially available.
Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/8085551.stm

Published: 2009/06/05 17:38:58 GMT

© BBC MMIX

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