Solar Energy, Efficient, and Alternative
The industrial revolution and the century that followed were largely powered by fossil fuels. Oil became king and we’re only now beginning to understand the consequences of our reliance on this one source of energy. It has not only created numerous political and social problems, but is having a profound impact on the climate of the entire planet. It is becoming more and more obvious that we simply cannot continue to base our entire economy and society on a source of energy that continues to lead us down our current path.
At Ecoenergies.com, we firmly believe that the future of energy in this country, and indeed the world, lay in alternative sources of electricity production such as solar energy and wind power. We have therefore designed this website to be used as an informational resource for anyone that is interested in learning more about alternatives to fossil fuels and how they can become more energy efficient. We do not endorse any particular company or product, and we strive to provide the most up to date and non-biased information on the web.
The use of solar energy is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination. Passive solar energy systems have been used throughout the course of human civilization. Homes have been built with southerly facing windows for millennia as a means of using the sun to optimize the inside temperature of the house. Furthermore, solar power has also been used as a means of heating water for nearly as long.
Today, however, we have the advantage of being able to utilize “active” solar power. The term “active” comes from the fact that rather than simply rely on sunshine, electrical and mechanical equipment is used to essentially increase the amount of energy that can be collected. Solar panels are a perfect example of this active technology. These panels use the principle of electron transmission to convert sunlight into useable electricity. Simply stated, by creating opposing electrical charges on either side of the panel, the electrons that are unsettled by the sunlight begin to flow in one direction, creating a flow of electricity.
Wind power is another popular form of alternative energy. The kinetic energy of wind is easily harnessed through the use of wind turbines. These turbines are connected to what is essentially a giant fan. As the wind causes this fan to rotate, it in turn causes the turbine to spin, thereby generating electricity. These turbines are generally set atop large towers in order to gain access to higher wind speeds, which can cause numerous problems within a suburban or urban location. However, there are numerous companies that are developing small scale wind turbines that are ideally suited to these confined spaces.
While alternative sources of power such as wind and solar energy can be employed to reduce one’s reliance on fossil fuels, creating a more energy efficient home can have a huge impact on one’s energy bills. Proper and adequate insulation, when combined with an efficient furnace can dramatically reduce the amount of energy that is consumed by your house. In fact, many experts recommend that homeowners concentrate on improving the efficiency of their homes as a first step towards energy independence.