Short answer: the light and heat provided by the sun. A slightly longer answer: after running the gauntlet from an average of 93 million miles away, through the various layers of atmosphere and atmospheric conditions (clouds, pollutants, dust and the like), about half of the solar energy is absorbed by water and land, with the other half reflected and re-radiated back into space.

 

The half that makes it is absorbed by oceans, land masses and plants; in the ocean, the energy drives heat and wind-driven currents (like the Gulf Stream); on land, the energy is absorbed and creates heat, and the little bit that's left is absorbed by plants and converted to chemical energy through a process we all know as photosynthesis.

Often used synonymously with solar energy, solar power is what you've got once the sun's energy has been converted to electricity. This can be done one of two ways: heating a liquid to produce steam and spin a generator, or through photovoltaics (but that's another post). For now, we'll concentrate on how to use the massive and largely untapped potential that exists with solar energy. But first, some basics.

 

Solar Electricity - Photvoltaic Panels

• Convert Sun’s Energy into Electrical Energy (DC power)
• Our units have 22% efficiency rating (Highest in the World – The rest are lying)
• Have 20 year guarantee
• Are modular, you can build on them to expand your production

Photovoltaic (PV) Electrical generation is at the forefront of international scientific research. The environmental costs of coal generated electricity have placed a burden upon the earth that scientists are not really sure we can escape unscathed. The real restriction placed on PV development has been its cost in relationship to coal generated electricity.

Solar Roads