Solar energy

The sun determines the existence of life on earth. Photosynthesis of plants needs sunlight, herbivores eat plants; carnivores eat herbivores, so everything depends on the sun. And humans make use of the solar energy via solar systems (thermal or electric).

Solar energy comprises all the different forms of energy coming from the sun, such as the light energy, thermal energy and various forms of thermal radiation. Solar energy is non-polluting, inexhaustible, mild, and renewable; hence, any limitation for its exploitation in terms of space or time is essentially negligible. The solar radiation is not controlled by anyone and is an inexhaustible energy resource, which provides independence, security and predictability of energy supply. At the same time, solar energy involves an important social factor: Anyone who uses it today ensures a better future for children and contributes to the decrease of global oil dependence.

The sun illuminates the earth several thousand times a day so that most of the energy requirements are covered. At this point a logical question is raised: why don’t we use this advantage of solar energy? The answer, of course, is that we are still in the beginning. A thermal solar system can feed directly a system for heating and domestic hot water by exploiting the sun radiation. On the other hand, an oil boiler uses the stored solar energy that is trapped in the earth many years ago and is firstly needed to draw out to the surface with oil pumps, in order to be used in energy production.

The solar energy exploitation is not a new discovery. In fact solar energy development is dated more than 100 years ago in the middle of industrial revolution.