Solar panels make use of renewable energy from the sun, and are a clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar energy. The solar revolution of the last two decades has made solar energy an increasingly powerful force in the energy arena. Solar panels are used to power all sorts of electronic equipment, from solar-powered handheld calculators that will function as long as sunlight is available, to remote solar-powered sensor arrays in buoys, and even some experimental vehicles and boats. Solar panels are also placed on outdoor lighting structures – the solar cell is charged during daylight hours, and at night, we get free electricity to keep our streets well lit and secure. Solar panels are used extensively on satellites, where an array of solar cells provide reliable power for the satellite’s electrical systems. There are several advantages to using solar energy. Firstly it is free – it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution. In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get electricity to a remote place. They are also useful for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery chargers. The other main benefit of using renewable energy is the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. By installing sustainable energy heating solutions we can reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases and our reliance on expensive fossil fuels. In an era where we are fast becoming over reliant on fossil fuels it is important that we use the full potential of our natural resources as much as we can. These fossil fuels are only a finite resource and will eventually run out so it makes sense to try to utilize such environmentally friendly systems such as solar powers. They are becoming more and more common in everyday use and with many companies on hand to be able to deliver renewable energy heating solutions for homes it has to be the way forward for the future.
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