As resources are becoming more scarce and conventional ways of supplying electrical power and heat are turning out to be much more expensive many people today are looking into renewable sources of power. Probably the first one that comes to mind for almost all consumers is solar power. Solar power is harnessing the power put off by the sun to produce electric source and heat.

Although not many people fully grasp the theory, use of solar energy is widely known in numerous areas of the earth. Man has harnessed this power in numerous ways regardless of whether he has been aware of it or not all through history. Early users of solar energy used a simple box to collect the sun's rays to cook their food. Solar power normally involves collecting light and heat from the sun's rays and utilizing it both inside dwellings and in offices for a wide range of purposes. According to experts, a extremely small percentage of the total energy falling upon the earth from the sun is actually being harnessed. Much of this disparity in the amount of energy being harnessed can be attributed to the abundant supplies of fossil fuels which has made solar energy less attractive than those sources of energy

When harnessing solar energy from the sun, people use heat engines as well as photovoltaic devices. These technologies can either be passive or active technologies based on the manner with which they utilize and convert the energy. Photovoltaic devices which are also known as solar cells are used in many types of applications. A few recognizable uses are in digital watches and hand calculators and also roadsigns and satellite power supplies. Some of these materials can be used to store heat for use later when it is cool. They include materials that allow dispersion of light as well as designs that make it possible for light to fill a room or an office.

Abundant solar energy can easily end up being used in very many ways by people throughout the planet. Illumination is most likely the most typical use. Skylights and windows can be used to reduce the quantity of power needed to power artificial lights. Heating water or using a significant thermal mass for space heating are a couple of additional widespread solar energy applications. People also utilize solar water heating units to warm up pools. Popular solar harnessing systems include the use of solar panels to convert warmth coming from the sun into electricity. However, the use of solar energy is slowed down by the simple fact that the rays from the sun only reach the earth at particular times of the day and is based on location, time of year and weather conditions. This limits the usage of solar energy without an means to store the energy.