Sun
The Sun, a Powerful and Infinite Energy Resource
09/14/2010
© Keblow
Just like water and air, the sun is essential to life on earth, providing heat and light. It shines all over the planet during the day, although some regions get more sunshine than others. This energy is a renewable, non-polluting resource, and many different technologies are used to make the most of it.
Depending on the type of production (heat recovery or electricity conversion), use (on-site consumption or distribution via a grid) or plant location (houses, apartment buildings or power plants), different solutions, from thermal collectors to photovoltaic or concentrated solar plants can be used.
Since it provides promising results, solar energy is now popular with public authorities, and its use is encouraged. Meanwhile, technologies are evolving and will soon make this solution more widespread.
Photovoltaics – renewable solar energy available to all
Solar photovoltaic technology can transform any building or land surface into a miniature power plant. There are also many specific applications, such as telecommunications networks. The energy can be used on-site or sold back to the grid.
Thermal collectors – amplifying solar heat
Heat from the sun, recovered using collectors, can be distributed in an individual or collective domestic circuit to produce hot water and heat.
Thermodynamic solar power plants – multiplying an abundant source of energy
The production of electricity in solar power plants can reach industrial levels to feed into a national grid.
