Solar Energy systems harness the power of the sun for heating and electrical needs. Harnessing the power of the sun can be done in a variety of ways, with one of the most common ways is through the use of Photovoltaics (PV) technology.

Solar panels are comprised of many PV cells which directly transforms sunlight into electricity for either direct use or storage in a battery bank for later use. Sun light is made up of photons, when these photons strike the PV modules of a panel some electrons are striped away. These loose electrons create an electrical current which is then harnessed for electrical needs.

Solar Panels

Another type of solar system are called thermal collectors, which are classified into three groups; low, medium and high temperature collectors. Low and medium collectors are typically flat plates that transfers heat from the sun to another medium. These types of collectors are generally used to passively heat water either in swimming pools or for residential/commercial use. High temperature collectors are used mostly for electric power production through the use of mirrors or lenses.

The most often touted problem with Solar Energy is the fact that the panels can only collect sunlight during clear daylight hours. While this statement is true, it is not the only time that solar energy is usable. With the addition of a battery bank to your Solar Power system, it is possible to storage energy gained during the day for use at night or non-sunny days.

While everyone can relate to the direct power of the sun, the sun also is the indirect cause of many other forms of Renewable Energy; biofuel, wind power and hydro-power just to name a few; which are all Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional power production.

The use of solar power provides an Eco-friendly energy source alternative to traditional power production by not producing harmful emissions or hazardous waste during the energy production cycle. Solar Power Systems are also an renewable resource, and is even more self-replenishing than other renewable energy options.

Wind power systems use large fan-like structures to turn a turbine in order to produce electricity. Many people have complained about this system because of the noise level during operations, this noise pollution and the large machinery used has frightened animals away from their nature habitat, which has its own negative effects on the local ecosystem. Solar panel systems do not have this issue, they produce no noise.

Biofuel production is another renewable energy option. Biofuel is comparative to diesel fuel, but instead of using non-renewable oil, biofuel is made from some from or renewable biomass. In the United States corn is currently used to produce ethanol, a biofuel, but this puts fuel and food in direct competition.

Again, solar power systems prove more sustainable solution because no such competition is created like with biofuel. Sunlight does not require processing into a fuel, because the sun's rays hit the earth whether or not we utilize their energy. There is also no need to grow or chemically treat sunlight prior to use. The only processing necessary is the construction of the solar panels themselves.

Fossil fuels still stand as the current standard for the world's energy needs. With fossil fuel's adverse affect on the environment along with their finite supply, makes it is easy to see why the development of renewable energy sources are needed. While several renewable sources are currently being introduced to the market, solar panels stand out ahead of the pack due to their extra advantages over other systems.