Photovoltaic Energy: Clean, Renewable, Eco-friendly!

Mankind has utilized the awesome power of the Sun's clean, renewable rays for thousands of years. There is no doubting that life would have never existed without the warmth and photosynthesis provided only from the sun. The people of the planet have an extreme hunger for the research and development of alternative energy sources today. Wind, hydro and solar (photovoltaic) powers are the energy providers of the future - and of the present. Solar energy is also called photovoltaic (PV) energy. Photo means Sun and voltaic means energy (electricity).

You've seen photovoltaic calculators for decades, but did you know that the space shuttles are mounted with loads of photovoltaic panels as well? The concept is the same regardless of the size of the application. The active ingredient (if you will) of photovoltaic energy panels is silicon. Silicon is a special kind of sand!

When the sunlight strikes a photovoltaic panel, electrons are created and begin to rise towards the heated upper surface of the panel. This creates an imbalance of electrons from the front to the back of the panel. Something called a connector (like a wire) joins the two surfaces and channels these oppositely charged particles to form usable electricity. This electricity is completely environmentally-friendly - unlike the dirty electricity created by the conversion of fossil fuels like coal and oil.

Like dirty electricity, this photovoltaic energy can be used to heat and cool our homes, light out businesses, fuel our automobiles, cook our food and play our music! The only difference between photovoltaic energy and the dirty electricity that we are used to using is that the PV does absolutely no damage to our already-brutalized environment.

Begin your personal advocating and usage of photovoltaic energy today and go green!