How can we use the Sun’s energy?

Answer 1

We use it in everything we do. There are a few different sources of energy on earth but most of them originate with the sun. There is geothermal, the heat from the center of the earth, tidal energy causes oceans to rise and fall, nuclear power is caused by the radioactive decay of atoms and all of these are used to generate electricity.

The most obvious answer is that photo-voltaic cells can convert light into electricity but there's much more than that.

When you build a campfire, drive a car or eat a meal you are using solar power

Most sources of energy comes from or came from the sun.

It starts when plants take the energy of the sun and lock it away through photosynthesis.

When you eat vegtables you are getting that energy and if you have a hamburger you are getting the energy that the cow got from eating plants. It always traces back to the sun.

The coal and oil we burn comes from plants and animals from millions of years ago that got energy from the sun. Most of the electricity we use comes from coal or oil.

Windmills generate electricity but wind is caused by the sun heating the air on earth. Because the sun only shines on one side of the earth at a time the differences in temperature cause wind.


So you can and do use the sun's energy in all kinds of ways.

Answer 2

Solar power:

the technology of obtaining usable energy from the light of the Sun. Solar energy has been used in many traditional technologies for centuries and has come into widespread use where other power supplies are absent, such as in remote locations and in space.

Answer 3

Solar Radiation reaches the Earth's upper atmosphere at a rate of 1366 watts per square meter (W/m2).[1] The first map shows how the solar energy varies in different latitudes.

While traveling through the atmosphere 6% of the incoming solar radiation (insolation) is reflected and 16% is absorbed resulting in a peak irradiance at the equator of 1,020 W/m².[2] Average atmospheric conditions (clouds, dust, pollutants) further reduce insolation by 20% through reflection and 3% through absorption.[3] Atmospheric conditions not only reduce the quantity of insolation reaching the earth's surface but also affect the quality of insolation by diffusing incoming light and altering its spectrum.

The second map shows the average global irradiance calculated from satellite data collected from 1991 to 1993. For example, in North America the average insolation at ground level over an entire year (including nights and periods of cloudy weather) lies between 125 and 375 W/m² (3 to 9 kWh/m²/day).[4] This represents the available power, and not the delivered power. At present, photovoltaic panels typically convert about 15% of incident sunlight into electricity; therefore, a solar panel in the contiguous United States on average delivers 19 to 56 W/m² or .45 - 1.35 kWh/m²/day.[5]

The dark disks in the third map on the right are an example of the land areas that, if covered with 8% efficient solar panels, would produce slightly more energy in the form of electricity than the total world primary energy supply in 2003.[6] While average insolation and power offer insight into solar power's potential on a regional scale, locally relevant conditions are also important to the potential of a specific site.

After passing through the Earth's atmosphere, most of the sun's energy is in the form of visible and Infrared radiations. Plants use solar energy to create chemical energy through photosynthesis. Humans regularly use this energy burning wood or fossil fuels, or when simply eating the plants.

A recent concern is global dimming, an effect of pollution that is allowing less sunlight to reach the Earth's surface. It is intricately linked with pollution particles and global warming, and it is mostly of concern for issues of global climate change, but is also of concern to proponents of solar power because of the existing and potential future decreases in available solar energy. The order of magnitude is about 4% less solar energy available at sea level over the timeframe 1961–90, mostly from increased reflection from clouds back into outer space.

Types of technologies
1. Solar design in architecture
2. Solar design in architecture
3. Solar cooking
4. Solar lighting
5. Photovoltaics
6. Solar thermal electric power plants
7. Solar pond
8. Solar chemical
9. Biofuels

You could get more information from the link below...

Answer 4

the only reason we exist is because we use the energy from the sun

Answer 5

loads of ways, either health for vitamin d, solar for power, but like icarus learned don't get too close. its no a power to be played with.