I know. I know. Here we go trying to convince you to use solar energy in your home so you can lower your carbon footprint and save a substantial amount of money after the short five to ten years that the investment pays for itself. Well. Here we go! Lets discuss some of the amazing ideas used to literally grab rays from the sun and convert them into energy which then we use to enrich our lives.

There are quite a few ways we benefit from the unmatched power of the sun. And solar energy technology does just that by harnessing that power or capturing it if you will and using it to produce electricity in most cases. Solar cells are made of crystalline silicon consisting of tiny silicon crystals although newer technologies are using nano-structures for even smaller and efficient panels.

I am sure most people have used a calculator with whats called a photovoltaic cell or a solar panel in one of their hands or a watch with the same type of cell on the other. That reminds me of the 1970's. Ah oh, I'm showing my age. Anyway. These examples are characterized as active solar techniques of collecting, converting and distributing solar energy.

Another technique is known as passive solar. One example of this type would include the use of large windows or other favorable thermal mass materials oriented toward the sun which is directed to heat absorbing materials that have the ability to release heat when needed to warm the building. Cool hah. Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy so we can call them supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies lower the need for other resources and are generally called demand side technologies.

In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that " the development of affordable, inexhaustible clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits". This is good news for our country or countries being that it is mostly independent of any import laws and so forth. Solar energy has actually soared 20 percent a year over the last 15 years, thanks to quickly dropping prices and increases in efficiency. That sounds like a perfect opportunity to get started now investing in solar savings for the future. Go solar today.

As you can see solar energy is being used in many ways including, water heating, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, water treatment and cooking just to name a few. All of which lessens the effects of fossil fuels on our planet and contributes to solving the worst energy problems are society is facing today. Solar energy is the technology of capturing radiation from the sun. This process is void of any smoke, gas, or other chemical by-product. Now that is what I call going green.