More Options with Solar Thermal EnergySolar energy extends beyond the use of photovoltaic cells, which directly convert solar energy into electricity. In fact, one of the first mainstream uses of solar energy was in the construction of solar thermal energy farms, which use the heat from solar energy to power a thermal power plant. However, solar thermal energy also serves several other purposes which can help with costs normally associated with electricity, such as heating and ventilation. Power PlantsSolar thermal energy is already in widespread use in areas like Australia and Spain, generally sunny and very warm climates to maximize the energy potential of these power plants. These power plants use mirrors to reflect and consequently focus the sun's heat on some sort of generator which uses heat to generate electricity. Solar thermal energy power plants are extremely efficient, resulting in some cases of an energy efficiency of over 40%, and the figure is always increasing as the technology matures. They are able to use less land area than wind turbine farms, not affect the migratory patterns of fish, and not generate lethal and environmentally devastating nuclear waste. The rivers can run dry, the wind may not blow, and we are bound to run out of nuclear fuel someday anyway, but the sun is expected to be around for billions of years, supplying clean energy to us for that entire duration. |
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