As more of the Earth’s resources get used up over the years, there is an increasing concern about global warming and the depletion of non-renewable energy sources.

Nowadays, you won’t need to look far to find a house that has solar panels across its roof. Many people are choosing solar power installation in their homes in an attempt to live more sustainably.

There has also been a shift towards using a solar affiliate program to gain commission for encouraging friends and family to install solar panels in their own properties.

In this article, we’re going to cover what solar energy is, how it is produced, what it can be used for, and the many advantages that solar energy provides.

What is Solar Energy and How is it Produced?

Solar energy is a renewable form of energy that is theoretically unlimited. It is obtained from the electromagnetic radiation that gets produced by the sun. In other words, it’s a form of energy that we get from the sun and can use here on Earth.

To harness all of this incredible energy that the sun is releasing every second of the day, solar panels or solar mirrors can be used.

Types of Solar Energy

Solar panels contain solar cells that are made from semi-conducting material that absorbs the sun’s energy so that it can be used to power our homes. There are three main types of solar energy:

• Photovoltaic Solar Energy - solar cells or photovoltaic cells absorb photons and free electrons from the sun’s radiation and convert them into an electrical current.
• Solar Thermal Energy - also known as thermosolar power, where solar panels and solar mirrors absorb the heat that is generated by the sun. They convert this heat into a liquid that can be used to produce electricity.
• Passive Solar Energy - like photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, which are active, passive solar energy captures the energy from the sun directly. This technique doesn’t use any form of technology to capture and convert the sun’s energy and it is one of the oldest methods of solar energy production.

What Can Solar Energy Be Used For?

Solar energy is most commonly used for the following:

• Electricity generation
• Heating water in homes, such as for hot showers, taps, and radiators
• Watering crops
• Providing light in homes, public properties, and outdoor areas
• Providing energy for solar cars

What Are the Advantages of Solar Energy?

There are many advantages of using solar energy over other forms of energy that are non-renewable. Here are some of these benefits:

• No greenhouse gas emissions
• Reservation of fossil fuels
• Renewable energy is cleaner
• Solar energy can be used in a home’s interior to improve energy-efficiency
• Solar energy can be harnessed every day, even on cloudy days
• The return on investment is high for solar panels and mirrors
• Solar panels and mirrors require very little maintenance
• Excess power is not wasted as it can be used by power companies
• Solar panels are affordable and accessible to most people