What is solar energy?

Question

What is solar energy?

Answer 1

We have four solar panels fixed on the roof of our house and most of the year there is enough power from sunlight (yes, even in England) for them to heat all our hot water.  Very grey overcast days like today has been will mean that tomorrow morning we will probably have to press the "boost" button which will give a burst from the central heating gas boiler, but even if it freezing outside, if the sun is shining, our domestic water will still heat for free.

Answer 2

Energy released by the sun due to the atomic fusion reaction. We usually refer to the useful part of it as solar energy while using it in solar cells and other solar powered applications. This useful part largely consists of infra red radiations which account for the heating effect of sunlight. The ultra violet frequency rays and other harmful components are of course filtered out by the Earth's atmosphere.

Answer 3

Energy derived from the sun, can either make use of heat energy, or can convert light energy via photo voltaic panels to produce D.C. voltage Electricity

Answer 4

Energy from sun light converted in to conventional domestic electricity or power using solar panels.

Answer 5

It's natuaral resource of light the sun gives energy without us doing it ourselves mechanically.

Answer 6

Energy created by the sun.

Answer 7

Photovoltaic = sun to electricity

Passive Solar = capture sun heating in a thermal mass

Active Solar = use sun to heat fluid for heating or create steam to run turbines for electricity

Answer 8

Yes i can tell u in details solar energy comes out from my body get in touch and feel my solar energy.

Answer 9

a biger joke than al gore.

Answer 10

energy that comes from the sun

Answer 11

what it say's , energy from the solar (sun)

Answer 12

Energy that is generated through things like solar panels. I think.... I got a C in science!!!!

Answer 13

Energy gathered from the protons etc. from the sun

solar is derived from the latin word 'sol' meaning sun

Answer 14

energy from the sun

Answer 15

Solar energy is the energy emitted by the sun.  We receive it principally as light and radiated warmth and it is captured in many ways.

Plants capture it in their leaves and use it to convert nutrients from the soil plus carbon dioxide from the air into growth.  The energy stored in that growth can then be used by animals including man for their own growth and activity.

The energy stored in plants can also be converted into fuel for machines by extracting plant oils or by fermenting the plants to produce methane.

Solar energy can be captured by devices such as solar panels or photovoltaic cells.  It is energy captured in this way that is most often referred to as solar energy.

Solar panels can be simply long tubes containing water that are laid out in a zig zag pattern under a glass cover and which get hot when the sun shines on them.  That water can then be circulated into the building to provide heating.

Photovoltaic cells contain materials that produce a small electric current when the sun shines on them.  The electricity can then be used for heating or to run other electrical equipment like computers.

Unlike fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) solar energy for heating or for electricity is not running out and does not cause pollution or global warming.  However capturing it is expensive (the solar panels and photovoltaic cells are expensive to produce and only work when the sun is shining.)

There are other sources of clean energy such as wind, wave, tide and hydro.  Again capturing these forms of energy is expensive but we need to employ them all if we want to avoid pollution, global warming and running short of the fossil fuels.

Best wishes

Answer 16

power from the sun..

although it's converted into useable energy by things like solar panels =)

and then converted into electricity

Answer 17

our future