Solar energy is regarded to be the ultimate when it comes to renewable energy. In turn, renewable energy is a kind of energy that comes from a resource that can naturally replenish itself. But while the term solar energy may seem self-explanatory, it's actually not as simple as it sounds.
For instance, many think that this kind of energy is the heat coming from the Sun. However, Earth doesn't really receive heat from the Sun; or, at least, not directly. What the planet gets is solar radiation-exactly 174 petawatts of it (a petawatt is four levels above the kilowatt). Why people perceive this energy as heat is because the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, the oceans, and basically every object in the planet absorb this solar radiation. Absorbing this radiation causes their temperature to rise, hence the heat.
It is this radiation that is converted into solar power, the energy used as a substitute to electricity and non-renewable resources.
But solar energy does not automatically translate to solar power; in fact, it is only one application of this energy source.
One less advance usage of solar radiation is passive energy gain. As the term itself suggests, this is a procedure that uses an energy source (in this case, sunlight or solar radiation) without the assistance of mechanical equipment. Since sunlight in itself is radiation, it can be used without having the need to convert it into a usable energy.
By taking advantage of the climate and architectural design, a household, for example, can use natural sunlight for water heating and solar cooking-activities that use consumable energy.
Obviously, the problem with passive energy gain is lack of control. Since one will utilize the energy as it is, the user will have to work around elements such as weather or time. Using active energy technologies as such solar chimneys or panels can help users maximize control over the energy and its effectiveness.
Solar power comes in the picture when solar energy is converted into electricity directly or indirectly. Directly, radiant heat can be turned into electricity using photovoltaics (wherein solar panels produce electric currents when exposed to sunlight). Indirectly, one uses concentrated solar power (wherein the light is concentrated into a specific area to produce heat, which in turn is used to produce electricity).
It goes without saying that solar energy has several uses-from using natural sunlight as a source of lighting to using solar panels to harness renewable electricity. So is there any question why it is considered to be penultimate when it comes to alternative and renewable energy sources?
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