There are a variety of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include:
Photovoltaic Systems
Producing electricity directly from sunlight.
Solar Hot Water
Heating water with solar energy.
Solar Electricity
Using the sun's heat to produce electricity
Passive Solar Heating and Daylighting
Using solar energy to heat and light buildings.
Solar Process Space Heating and Cooling
Industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat.
Solar Water Heater
Solar Panels
•Solar energy is a renewable resource. Although it cannot be utilized at night or on cloudy days, its availability may be generally relied upon day after day. The solar energy supply will last as long as the sun.
•Oil, on the other hand, is not renewable. It takes millions of years to form. Currently, oil reserves are being depleted at a rate much quicker than more would take to develop.
•Solar energy is non-polluting. Of all the advantages of solar energy over oil, this is perhaps the most important. The burning of oil releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. In addition to this, the process of obtaining it may result in damaged ecosystems through dredging or spills.
•Solar cells are long-lasting and require very little maintenance
As part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan, which he laid out, generally, in a speech on January 8th, he plans to double U.S. renewable energy output by 2012. This ambitious goal stems from his more specific campaign promise to invest $150 billion in clean energy — with a focus on wind, solar, and geothermal power — and create 5 million new green-collar jobs in the process
