Solar Energy
Solar energy is a vast and inexhaustible resource. Fuel from the sun is free
and will never be subject to the ups and downs of energy markets. The sun's
light (and all light) contains energy.
The amount of energy from the sun that falls on Earth's surface is enormous.
It is said that enough sunlight falls on the earth in one minute to meet the
world’s energy needs for one year.
All the energy stored in Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is
matched by the energy from just 20 days of clear sunshine. Outside Earth's
atmosphere, the sun's energy contains about 1,300 watts per square meter
(10.76 sq ft). About one-third of this light is reflected back into space, and
some is absorbed by the atmosphere (in part causing winds to blow). By the
time it reaches Earth's surface, the energy in sunlight has fallen to about
1,000 watts per square meter (10.76 sq ft) at noon on a cloudless day.
Traditional solar technology uses crystals made out of silicon, which
produces an electrical current when struck by light. Silicon can do this
because the electrons in the crystal move when exposed to light. Newer
materials use smaller, cheaper crystals, such as copper-indium-gallium-
selenide, that can be shaped into flexible films. This “thin film” solar
technology however, is not as efficient as silicon at turning light into
electricity.
Solar energy can be used to generate heat for electricity production (steam
turbines), hot water needs (solar hot water/SHW) and space heat (SHW and
passive)
and will never be subject to the ups and downs of energy markets. The sun's
light (and all light) contains energy.
The amount of energy from the sun that falls on Earth's surface is enormous.
It is said that enough sunlight falls on the earth in one minute to meet the
world’s energy needs for one year.
All the energy stored in Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is
matched by the energy from just 20 days of clear sunshine. Outside Earth's
atmosphere, the sun's energy contains about 1,300 watts per square meter
(10.76 sq ft). About one-third of this light is reflected back into space, and
some is absorbed by the atmosphere (in part causing winds to blow). By the
time it reaches Earth's surface, the energy in sunlight has fallen to about
1,000 watts per square meter (10.76 sq ft) at noon on a cloudless day.
Traditional solar technology uses crystals made out of silicon, which
produces an electrical current when struck by light. Silicon can do this
because the electrons in the crystal move when exposed to light. Newer
materials use smaller, cheaper crystals, such as copper-indium-gallium-
selenide, that can be shaped into flexible films. This “thin film” solar
technology however, is not as efficient as silicon at turning light into
electricity.
Solar energy can be used to generate heat for electricity production (steam
turbines), hot water needs (solar hot water/SHW) and space heat (SHW and
passive)
Midstate Renewable Energy has extensive experience in the solar energy field. We provide solar
electric and solar hot water products and installation services. We have sold and installed more solar
energy systems in central Illinois than anyone else.
electric and solar hot water products and installation services. We have sold and installed more solar
energy systems in central Illinois than anyone else.
Solar Hot Water