When solar energy is discussed, most people think of solar water heating devices or electricity being obtained by photovoltaic cells contained in solar panels. But there are other types of solar energy which are often not mentioned.

Radiant Energy.

Radiant energy from the sun has been used by generations for its heating effect. On a sunny day it is easy to feel this kind of radiation energy on your body, or on any object exposed to the sun’s rays which will absorb the radiation.

Currently radiant energy is being used as solar energy for producing hot water, by letting the energy heat up water passing through pipes in a container exposed directly to the sun.

Radiation energy is also the energy source for the passive solar home heating system which is based on using the greenhouse effect within the house.

Chemical Energy

Another type of solar energy is of course photosynthesis which drives all life on Earth. In this chemical process, atmospheric carbon dioxide and water combine to produce carbohydrates and release oxygen.

Essentially solar energy is being trapped in an organic form. Studies are currently being carried out to use this form of energy to promote chemical reactions which will derive fuel from plant life.

Another investigation in the field of chemical energy is to produce energy by harnessing the powers of photosynthesis, thus creating ‘artificial photosynthesis’.

Solar Engine and Generator Energy.

Again solar energy can be used to drive systems known as ‘concentrated solar energy systems’, and such systems are today commercially available. Using mirrors the sun’s rays are focused intensely to provide heat. The heat is then used to produce steam which in turn drives a generator producing electricity. The procedure is much like focusing the rays through a magnifying glass onto a piece of paper, which soon becomes hot enough to ignite.

Natural Light Energy.

This energy gives us all the light required during our hours of daylight, yet many commercial buildings, due to bad design, still use artificial lighting in daylight hours. The harnessing of this energy is now possible by the use of light shafts, and fiber optics, providing natural light throughout buildings.

Interestingly the process of using solar radiant energy to convert carbon dioxide into usable liquid fuel with the release of oxygen is already a reality in the laboratory, and will give much needed energy on a large scale if it becomes a commercial proposition.

Tags: , , , , , ,