Solar Power Generator – Information for Beginners

The term “solar power” is used to describe any of the various means used to harness energy that resides in sunlight. The means itself is a solar power generator.

Man has harnessed solar power for many, many centuries. We continue to use traditional, “invisible” solar power generators. We build houses to face south in the northern hemisphere, north in the southern hemisphere. This gives us an invisible solar power generator to heat our homes in cold months. We hang clothing outdoors, our clothes dryer powered by an invisible solar power generator. We dry food with a simple solar power generator.

In recent years, as developed countries have fought the rising costs and limited supplies of fuels, more powerful solar power generators have gained attention. They currently enjoy widespread use in remote locations and in space. Can we use them in non-isolated areas now, and reduce our dependence on other fuel supplies?

Let’s look briefly at three types of solar power generator.

1. Solar Cells - When electricity was needed for satellites, scientists developed “photovoltaic” cells. These solar power generators turn sunlight into electricity with no intermediate step. People living in sunny climates can use photovoltaic cells to power light bulbs. It takes only about 1 square yard (1 m. sq.) to light a 100W bulb. If you own a solar cell pocket calculator, you own a solar power generator.

2. Solar water heating - You have undoubtedly seen glass panels on roofs. You may not have known that water ran through those panels. They are a type of solar power generator. Heated by the sun, the water does not require much energy from a gas or electric water heater. In addition, this solar power generator can send heated water through pipes beneath the floor to maintain warmth.

3. Solar furnaces - These solar power generators employ many mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy and produce extremely high temperatures. The principal is somewhat like that of focusing a sunbeam through a magnifying glass to produce a flame that will start a fire. At a solar furnace in France, 63 flat mirrors track the sun automatically, and concentrate its light on a reflector. The reflector concentrates the rays further to produce 1000 kilowatts – and a temperature of 33,000 degrees centigrade. This solar power generator is used to power a furnace producing steel from iron ore.

If you are serious about the environment, or just serious about saving money, you may want to build your own solar power generator. On this site, we have reviewed an e-book on the subject, and provided an easy link for ordering your own copy. Click here to read the review.