Solar energy
Solar energy is radiated by the sun. It can be used either passively or actively. The devices for active energy production are solar panels or solar thermal collectors. Produced energy can be used right away or stored to batteries. Heat can be also stored. Passive usage means using light and heat of the sun without any separate devices. Virtually it is for example architecture that allows a building to capture and store radiating heat.
SOLAR ENERGY WORLDWIDE
The share of solar power in energy production has increased during the last decade. European union has set a goal to produce 12% of its energy by the year 2020. Germany is a forerunner by developing renewable energy sources as primary solution on energy market.
Most propitious areas for solar power are located in tropical and subtropical zones. The equatorial region gets a lot of suns radiation around the year. Power of the radiation is at its maximum on cloudless deserts. Although most of solar power plants are located Northern Hemisphere. The energy Sahara receives trough suns radiation covers all needed energy in Europe.
In developing countries, areas with no electricity distribution solar energy is also used in public buildings like hospitals etc.
The high price of solar power plants can prevent consumers to start solar energy production. As technology advances and price decreases solar energy will be available to bigger number of people.
http://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/kysely-aurinkoenergia-ei-riita-pientalon-
Solar energy in Finland:
Cloudy weather, rainy climate and dark winter are weakening the resources of producing solar energy. But Finland's summers full of light are compensating the lack of sunligh in the wintertime. Despite the unfavourable conditions of production, the percentage of solar power in energy consumption could be increased. For example, the climatic conditions in northern Germany are similar to Finland's ones, but the use of solar energy is much more common there.
In Finland, the solar energy works in a complementary manner alongside other forms of energy. It is mostly used between March and September, when approx. of 90 per cent of annual solar radiation energy is obtained. Year-round use in Finland is difficult and would require the storage of solar energy in the summer.
THE FUTURE OF SOLAR ENERGY
The use of solar energy will be more widespread through consumer prices getting lower. In the future consumers will also be able to buy electricity produced by solar energy more cheaply and thus to contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Solar energy is considered one of the most promising future energy solutions.
http://novafuture.fi/tuotto.html
QUESTIONS:
1. Solar energy is...
a. nonrenewable energy which is not burdened by fuel costs
b. renewable energy which is not burdened by fuel costs
c. nonrenewable energy which is burdened by fuel costs
d. renewable energy which is burdened by fuel costs
2. In which months is the use of solar energy emphasized to?
a. from May to August
b. from November to February
c. from April to July
d. from March to September
3. Profitability of solar power in scale of 1 to 5 (1 is bad and 5 is great)
1 2 3 4 5
4. Finland exploits solar energy... (1 is poorly and 5 is well)
1 2 3 4 5
If the solar panels are imported from abroad, solar energy does not benefit the Finnish employment? 1-5
1 2 3 4 5
Is it difficult for individuals to engage in producing solar energy for their own use? Why
?
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti