This article explains all the most relevant uses of solar energy in daily life, in industry and with a vision for the future. Let’s remember that solar energy is considered a clean, efficient renewable energy that has a great future because it takes advantage of the rays of light that come from the sun and space.
What is solar energy used for?
Little by little the applications of solar energy become more important as technology advances, in addition, this type of renewable energy is considered as a clean and friendly energy with the environment.
Today it is mainly used in homes for heating, water heating and swimming pools, for indoor and outdoor lighting and for charging small electronic devices.
However, it is also playing a very important role in the industry of electric cars, electric trucks, electric planes and even spaceships.
Finally, it is expected that, together with other renewable energies, it will form part of the revolution of renewable energies and in caring for the environment.
In cars, electric buses, planes and transportation
It is considered that transportation is one of the most important applications of solar energy and that it has a great future. Here this renewable energy is used to charge electric batteries that in turn move cars, planes and even spacecraft.
Currently, companies such as Tesla and Nikola take advantage of solar energy as a fundamental part of charging the batteries of electric cars and trucks that they are manufacturing.
Also, there are companies that are developing systems that take advantage of solar energy in aircraft and planes that greatly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
Finally, companies like Space X make spaceships that take advantage of solar energy as a fundamental part so that the ship can cross space efficiently.
Household electricity generation
Currently, the technology used to generate electricity through photovoltaic cells, taking advantage of solar energy from the sun’s rays, makes it possible to generate enough electricity in homes.
Here solar energy will be used to electric showers, heating, ventilation, to charge small electronic devices, to generate interior and exterior lighting.
We can note that these applications are very specific and it is all because the technology that uses solar energy still has a long way to go. In the future it is expected that it will become a fundamental component in the generation of electricity in homes.
For charging small electronics and batteries
Solar panels and photovoltaic cells are what transform solar energy into electrical energy. Their advantage is that they can be part of small electronic devices.
In this case, the sun’s energy is used to charge the batteries from small electronics such as watches, speakers, calculators, radios, flashlights and much more, allowing these to run continuously without needing to be plugged in.
A curious use in this aspect that several companies have created Vending machines that work on solar energy.
For heating swimming pools and water
One of the most widespread uses of solar energy consists of systems that heat water in homes, which include pool heating. In fact, in the United States companies that are dedicated to installing these systems consider that heating swimming pools is one of the most profitable applications of this renewable energy.
On satellites and spacecraft
Satellites and spacecraft need technology that can support their lifetime and movement in space without the need to return to earth. In this regard, the use of solar energy is essential.
Solar energy is present near our sun and several stars in the galaxy, so by creating systems that take advantage of it, satellites and spacecraft they can have continuous power throughout their lifetime.
Home heating and ventilation
Solar energy can also be used to make operate heating appliances and small fans to regulate the temperature of the home. This is especially very useful in areas where temperatures change abruptly.
Uses of solar energy in industry
Despite the fact that solar energy applications are mainly for homes, it is expected that in the near future it will become a fundamental part of electric power generation for various industries.
Currently in this aspect it is used for the industrial battery charging.
Indoor and outdoor lighting
Electric power has been used to illuminate the interior and exterior of homes, buildings, and parks, all because the lighting system installation system is relatively easy to do and much cheaper than other systems.
Here solar energy is used to keep household bulbs on, bulbs and lighting in buildings and light poles.
Uses of solar energy for cooking food
Despite the fact that electric stoves are not yet efficient, it is clear that there is a great future in this regard. At present, the solar energy that is used for cooking is done through handmade stoves that focus the sun’s rays through the use of metals such as aluminum towards food.
In caring for the environment
Solar energy is considered as a clean and efficient renewable energy. Today this type of energy does not replace the use of fossil fuels, however, it is expected that it will play an important role in industry and transportation in the future.
It is known that the use of fossil fuels generates a high percentage of carbon dioxide (CO2) which contributes to global warming, in addition, it produces many harmful gases that are not friendly to the environment.
Therefore, solar energy, being an energy that is friendly to the environment, contributes with the care of the environment by not emitting any harmful emissions.