Of all the energy sources in use today, solar energy possibly has the most potential for solving the world's long term energy problems. Solar energy is the cleanest form of renewable energy; producing zero carbon emissions, and provides over 35,000 times the total amount of energy that humans use every day.

Many applications exist for harnessing this energy for home use such as heating and cooling, lighting, and even complete solar home solutions. As the price of crude oil escalates, and the demand for alternative energy sources increase, advancements in technology and government programs are making it easier and more affordable to install solar energy equipment in the home.

How it works:

Because there are many options for harnessing energy from the sun, solar power can work in a variety of ways. The most common one is through the use of photovoltaic (PV) technology, which directly transforms sunlight into electricity. It does so through the use of solar or PV cells.

A solar panel is made up of modules of these solar cells. When exposed to the photons found within sunlight, some electrons of the solar cells are knocked loose. These loose electrons create an electrical current which can be harnessed for electrical needs.

Another way that solar power works is through the use of solar thermal collectors, which capture heat from the sun. This method is often used in solar hot water heater systems, and is generally used by large solar power plants which generate electricity by heating water to produce steam which drives an electric generator.

How does solar power work at night?

The fact that solar panels can only gather sunlight during the day is often touted as a major drawback to solar power. However, it is possible to draw the power off into a battery source for later use. In fact, this is the way outdoor solar lights work-- they draw energy during the day to power nighttime illumination.

Solar makes sense:

Although the initial cost of solar panels and their accessories (solar lights, etc.) may be considered pricey, the fact of the matter is, it's much more cost effective over the long term. This is mainly because solar cells and solar panels are long lasting and require very little maintenance. Also, most conventional energy sources are created from a limited supply of fossil fuels and will continue to rise in cost over time, while the energy from the sun will always be widely available and free.  Barring the unlikely reversal of this trend, your overall annual savings will continue to increase the longer you own your solar equipment.  When you also factor in its environmental benefits, and it's easy to see how switching to solar is a smart decision.