If you have ever seen a field with several mirrors pointing toward the sun you may be looking at a solar power system. These systems work to concentrate the sunlight to one area and use the heat to heat up the liquid that flows along the pipes.  This system is called Parabolic-trough system.  This type of system heats oil that is flowing through the pipe.  The oil is hot and that is why it is used to boil water to power a steam generator which in turns powers electricity.

The reason that this system works so well is because the U-shaped mirrors attracts and collects the suns heat which is then transferred onto the receiver.  The receiver absorbs the heat and transfers into fluid which helps to power the engine.  The heat causes the fluid to swell up against the piston and that produces mechanical power.  This type of power can be used to run things like generators or even an alternator that will produce electricity. This system works great when because it uses molten salt that flows through the receiver.  When the salt heats up it can generate electricity through the steam generator.  The salt holds in the heat for several days before it has to be converted into electricity.  Because this system uses so many panels it is mainly used for industrial solar power where acres of land can be donated to the Parabolic Trough.  There can be enough power in the network that can create energy for several days or more.  Because this system is so large that it allows the heat that it saves to be transferred days later.

Through this project and other solar power projects we can understand fully how solar power works. When we see how much solar power is conserved using these U shaped mirrors we can also understand how much energy is lost.  Using concentrating solar power systems are beneficial to the businesses that use them because they won’t have so much time down when the power fails.  Machinery is their only major concern and as long as their machines are taken care of there should be no problems. Industrial type of solar power can attract and trap a lot of heat from the sun during the day, especially using mirrors that will reflect the sunlight.  It also helps to have this type of solar power out in an open field free of trees and vegetation that may grow around and at some point crowd the solar light out.

Scientist are continuously studying this theory as businesses use it to power their machinery.  Steam power was what was used from the beginning with solar power and is still what most systems depend on to service their production needs.  In the future, fields may eventually be full of mirrors that somewhat point up to the sky in hopes of generating enough sunlight to heat the world.  Until then we will use the traditional methods of heating water, heating our homes and powering our electricity.

You will find more information on solar energy here

Everybody wants green energy. Being able to get the power we need without damaging the environment is an obvious goal – but what’s the best way to achieve it? Should we be opting for wind farms, hydroelectricity, or solar energy as alternative power?

Renewable Energy is energy created from resources that are regenerative – or renewable – meaning they cannot be depleted. These resources are safe for our environment and produce energy without the harmful pollutants and emissions associated with fossil-fuels.

Wind farms often receive a bad press, especially when they’re situated near homes or in popular hiking areas. They can make a lot of noise and because they have to be placed on skylines for maximum efficiency they often spoil views. Offshore wind farms are less problematic in this way and can take advantage of fierce sea winds, increasing their output, but they rely on a nation having a lot of suitable coastline.

While the Netherlands does very well with its wind farms, the US is, considering the comparative size of its population, at a distinct disadvantage. For the home-owner, small wind-powered generators are available, but they’re not very efficient and often result in complaints from neighbors.

Hydroelectricity is a much more effective way of generating power, using the natural energy of rivers or tidal forces. However, there are a limited number of suitable locations for hydroelectric generators, and often these are in areas which already provide fertile farmland, so a lot of people have to be displaced and lose their land in order for them to be built. They can also have a damaging impact on local wildlife.

Of these three major options, only solar energy as alternative power passes the test of being truly non-polluting, practical and easy to access. Modern solar panels can still function effectively even in areas where it’s frequently cloudy. They don’t get in anyone’s way and, once installed, they require very little maintenance. For these reasons, the greenest way to generate the power we need is by harnessing the power of the sun.