german solar park

Increasingly, the world is recognizing that we need to be investing in alternate forms of energy. While the UK has long been a leader in the use of solar power, other countries are realizing the benefits of using this very sustainable form of energy. The use of the sun’s energy is gaining much wider acceptance and application in Europe and Japan. Buildings are being constructed with photovoltaic panels built in as skylights, walls and atriums. There are high rises in Japan with outer surfaces completely made of solar absorbing material. The Germans prefer their solar units designed in the form of a power generating container shaped like a massive shoe box. These structures are large enough to contain nine buildings which are powered by the energy that is produced.

Solar power has also been adapted by the military for application in the field. They have developed lightweight portable systems that are used to bring electricity to remote locations. Modern solar equipment is designed to minimize light reflection which helps in reducing the chances of being spotted by the enemy.

Solar energy has been adapted for humanitarian applications as well. Hybrid systems are installed in medical clinics in third world countries. These power plants make use of back up generators in conjunction with photovoltaic cells so that the facility will operate purely on solar power on sunny days, with the back up batteries charging. During the night, and on cloudy days, the generators will kick in. This makes it possible for needy people in remote regions to get adequate medical care.

In remote places of India solar power systems were installed in homes. The introduction of electricity into these areas also brought the advent of television. These people discovered that they were part of a much larger world when news of global events came into their living rooms. These villagers also realized profound changes in their lifestyles. Suddenly there was light available for studying and doing other tasks after dark where once they had to get all of these things accomplished before the sun went down.

The whole world has seen changes in their work habits in the area of agriculture due to solar energy. One example is power pumps used for irrigation. There are many other areas of use for solar power in farming, ranging from lighting for the interior of barns to running a conveyor belt for hay.

In South Africa, where the potential for solar use is great, scientists are constantly working to develop better energy sources. The old silicon based technologies are giving way to cheaper and more efficient solar energy systems. This could be a new age for Africa to transition from being the “dark continent” to being a “continent of light.”