Using Solar and Wind energy

Solar and wind energy are the most widely used renewable energies worldwide. Solar energy can be converted into usable energy in different ways. On the one hand, the solar radiation can be absorbed by a thermal collector, which then heats a medium, such as water. On the other hand, the photons of which solar radiation is composed can be used to bring charged particles into motion and thus produce electric power in a semiconductor compound. This process is called ‘’photovoltaics.”

In the past, wind energy was used primarily in water pumps – we recall the slowly turning waterwheels in westerns, which pumped water into a tank to supply steam engines. Modern windmills, which drive generators to produce electric power, were developed later. Today, windmills are used worldwide almost solely to generate electric power. Let us take a closer look at these technologies for using renewable energy.

Solar Panels

Solar energy collectors are simple structures. Their task is to absorb the incident rays of the sun, and to use the energy to heat water. The simplest systems are in those areas of the world where high solar irradiation is present, such as the Mediterranean region, or India.

Find out more on what home solar power systems can do for you and your family. Learn how to build a solar panel at the comfort of home.

Wind Power
Western Europe is located in a zone of a good supply of wind energy, viewed on a world scale. The kinetic energy of the wind is a function of the wind speed to the third power. This formula means, for example, that the energy content of the wind increases eight-fold if the wind speed doubles. For this reason the best wind sites can be found along the coast or, further inland, at high locations. Under otherwise equal conditions, the difference in wind supply can cause the electric-power yields of a good coastal site and a mediocre inland site to differ by 25%. There are also differences of up to 20% in wind energy supply between one year and another.

Useful information renewable energy:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/renewable_energy.html
 
Useful information home solar power systems:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Solar-Power-Systems-Uses&id=3547988

Learn how to build your own wind turbine:
http://buildyourownwindturbine.weebly.com/

Learn how to build a solar panel:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-How-to-Build-a-Solar-Panel-to-Save-Electricity-in-Your-Home&id=2727558