Solar energy

Panels capture sunlight.

The constant environmental problems caused by use of non-renewable energy sources are exhausted allies, have aroused interest in the use of alternative energy sources.

Solar energy is a good option in the search for alternative, less harmful to the environment because it is a renewable and clean source of energy (does not emit pollutant).

Obtaining it occurs directly or indirectly.
A direct way to obtain is through photovoltaic cells, usually made of silicon. The sunlight reaching the cells is directly converted into electricity. However, these photovoltaic cells have high prices. The photovoltaic effect occurs when photons (energy that the sun bears) focus on the atoms, providing the emission of electrons, which generates electrical current.

To get electricity from the sun indirectly, it is necessary to build plants in areas of high insolation, because solar energy reaches the Earth so diffuse that requires capturing large areas. These locations are scattered hundreds of solar collectors.

Typically, solar energy is used in more isolated locations, dry and sunny. In Israel, about 70% of the homes have solar collectors, other countries especially in the use of solar power is the United States, Germany, Japan and Indonesia. In Brazil, the use of solar energy is increasing significantly, particularly solar collector for heating water.

Despite all the positive aspects of solar energy (abundant, renewable, clean, etc..), It is rarely used because the financial costs for obtaining energy are very high, it is not economically viable. Requires greater research and technological development to increase their efficiency and cheapen their installation costs.

By Wagner and Francisco de Cerqueira
Graduated in Geography