Journal 8, June 14

Solar Energy

With pollution and global warming being a heated subject in the minds of many within society, developers are coming up with new ways to meet the energy demands of the world. Back in the day, everyone used gasoline and other natural resources to supply power to their homes and manufacturing plants and equipment. The aftermath of their, and our, actions is starting to prey on the minds of millions. The concern of emissions and their effects on global warming are becoming more visible year by year. People are beginning to look into other forms of energy such as hybrid cars, wind power plants, and solar energy cells. All have their advantages and disadvantages.

Wind and solar energy seem to be the most popular when it comes to powering manufacturing plants, oil rigs, and homes while hybrid energy is mainly focused for cars. Jack Steinberger, the 1968 Nobel Prize winner, claims that although wind mills produce clean energy themselves, the batteries that back them up create the disadvantage. His preferred vehicle of energy is solar cells. These cells are placed on top of building, homes, or anywhere up high and in the open, and absorb the sun’s rays and heat. The light and heat are then transferred into energy and used to power various objects such as homes, building, and even some cars. Jack believes if a plant were built in Africa and underwater cables were run to Europe, solar thermal power could possibly provide electricity to 80% of Europe by 2050. Although solar mirrors are expensive to build, the possibilities of them saving you thousands of dollars in the long run is extremely high. Some have even created plans to lease individuals the solar mirrors to place on their homes over a 20 year period since they are so expensive to purchase and install.

Solar thermal power is the new source of electricity. With all of our depletions of natural resources and current concerns for global warming and o-zone complications, I feel strongly towards the mass production and required use of solar energy. I think this would save society millions of dollars as a whole as well as give back to the earth and use its greatest and most free resource, the sun. Using this form of energy would be cleaner as well as be a way of keeping up with new and modern age technology.

Reference Used:
http://news.cnet.com/greentech/solar/?tag=rtcol;tags

Additional Reference:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10218788-54.html