Solar energy is artlessly the energy produced directly by the sun and collected in the earth. The sun produces its energy by a thermonuclear process that transforms about 650,000,000 tons of hydrogen to helium every second. The process creates heat and electromagnetic energy. The heat remains in the sun and is helpful in maintaining the thermonuclear reaction. The electromagnetic energy (including visible light, infra-red light, and ultra-violet radiation) streams out into space in all directions. Sun is the principal source of almost all kinds of energy, both conventional and non-conventional. The sun is almost 1.4 million km in diameter and 150 …show more content…
One such alternative is solar energy. There has been a large increase in international agreements and national Energy Action Plans, such as the EU 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. One such initiative was the United Nations Development Programme's World Energy Assessment in 2000 that highlighted many challenges humanity would have to overcome in order to change from fossil fuels used to renewable energy sources. From 2000 - 2012 renewable energy grew at a rate higher than any other point in history, with a consumption rise of 176.5 million tonnes of oil. During this period, oil, coal, and natural gas continued to grow; and this increases were much higher the increase in renewable energy. Fig. (1.1) shows the growth in consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas as well as renewable sources of energy during this period. Also fig. (1.2) shows solar potential energy compared to all other energy