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August Mouchout is credited with the creation of the first active solar motor. In 1861, he developed a steam engine fueled completely by the sun.

Day and night, the vast waters of the ocean press and recede along the shorelines of Earth’s every continent in accordance to the celestial movements of our planet in relation to the sun and the moon

For billions of years, the sun has poured out huge amounts of energy in several forms, including light, heat, radio waves, and even x-ray. The Earth, in orbit around the sun, intercepts a very small part of the sun’s immense output. On Earth, direct sunlight is available from sunrise until sunset, except during solar eclipses. Solar collectors and modules are designed to capture some of the sun’s energy and change it from radiation into more usable forms such as heat or electricity. In fact, sunlight is an excellent source of heat and electricity, the two most important forms of energy we consume.

What are photovoltaics? The word comes from “photo” (light) and “voltaic” (energy produced by a chemical reaction). Photovoltaic technology refers to the conversion of light into energy at the atomic level. Certain materials, such as silicon, cadmium, and selenium, have the ability to absorb light photons and release electrons. Solar photovoltaic technology harnesses these freed electrons and uses their electric current as DC electricity (NASA 2002). Fully powered by the sun, solar photovoltaics are a free, clean, and renewable source of energy that can be used independently of or in conjunction with conventional grid energy. Unlike solar thermal systems, solar energy panels require little maintenance, necessitate no moving parts, and last for 30-40 years.

Solar energy is the radiant energy produced by the Sun. It is both light and heat

What is solar energy? Solar energy is the radiant energy produced by the Sun. It is both light and heat. It, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, account for the majority of the renewable energy on Earth.

idal power is taken from the Earth's oceanic tides; tidal forces are periodic variations in gravitational attraction exerted by celestial bodies. These forces create corresponding motions or currents in the world's oceans

Because the Earth's tides are ultimately due to gravitational interaction with the Moon and Sun and the Earth's rotation, tidal power is practically inexhaustible and classified as a renewable energy resource

Because the Earth's tides are ultimately due to gravitational interaction with the Moon and Sun and the Earth's rotation, tidal power is practically inexhaustible and classified as a renewable energy resource

Wind is a clean source of renewable energy that produces no air or water pollution.

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. In fact, wind exists because the sun unevenly heats the surface of the Earth. As hot air rises, cooler air moves in to fill the void. As long as the sun shines, the wind will blow. And as long as the wind blows, people will harness it to power their lives.

The wind spins the blades, which turn a shaft connected to a generator that produces electricity. Other turbines work the same way, but the turbine is on a vertical axis and the blades look like a giant egg beater.

Using the sun's power has been around as early as the 7th century B.C. when people were using it to build fires. It is hypothesized that in 2nd century B.C. Archimedes used the reflective surfaces of bronze shields to burn ships invading Syracuse. However, it was not until 1973 when the Greek navy actually experimented with the notion and successfully burned a wooden ship at 50 meters. sunrooms were common in houses and public buildings in the 6th century A.D. These were so common that "sun rights" were given to individuals. Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector in 1767. For a more descriptive timeline, this timeline lists the milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the 7th century B.C. up to today.

Using the sun's power has been around as early as the 7th century B.C. when people were using it to build fires. It is hypothesized that in 2nd century B.C. Archimedes used the reflective surfaces of bronze shields to burn ships invading Syracuse. However, it was not until 1973 when the Greek navy actually experimented with the notion and successfully burned a wooden ship at 50 meters. sunrooms were common in houses and public buildings in the 6th century A.D. These were so common that "sun rights" were given to individuals. Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector in 1767. For a more descriptive timeline, this timeline lists the milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the 7th century B.C. up to today.

How many years is left before the sun dies? David: About 4.5 billion years, give or take a billion. :)

Earth is composed mainly of bodies of water---about 71 percent of the earth's surface is water. Ninety-seven percent of that is found in the oceans. Because the earth's surface is curved, the sun heats it unevenly. This causes winds to blow across the water and generate waves. The sun and moon also exert their gravitational pull on the earth, triggering wave-producing tides. Wave motion energy can be harnessed and generated into electricity.

Harnessing wave energy comes without the emission of harmful green house gases. This is the main motivation factor behind further development of this way of power generation.

Like with most green energy sources, wave power is also renewable. Since this energy source ultimately comes from the heat energy that is emitted from the sun, it will not disappear for some time – in fact, several billion years or as long time it takes for the sun to burn out.

The energy density is typically around 30-40 kW for every meter (2.2 feet) of wave along the shore. As we go further into the ocean 100kW for every meter is not uncommon.

All winds are caused by differences in air pressure, which are usually caused by the sun. When high air pressure flow into low air pressure, it creates wind.Our planet turns around the sun on an axis with a 23 degree tilt towards the North Star. The difference of heating on the surface of the Earth (between the equator and the pole) causes a mass of hot air to go up and to displace colder air toward the bottom - this all causes movement in the mass of air that is contain in our atmosphere.

One of the main disadvantages is the initial cost of the equipment used to harness the suns energy

A solar energy installation requires a large area for the system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity

pollution can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Clouds also provide the same effect, as they can reduce the energy of the suns rays

Like electricity, hydrogen is a secondary source of energy. It stores and carries energy produced from other resources (fossil fuels, water, and biomass).

ydrogen is the simplest element. Each atom of hydrogen has only one proton. It is also the most plentiful gas in the universe. Stars like the sun are made primarily of hydrogen. The sun is basically a giant ball of hydrogen and helium gases. In the sun's core, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms. This process — called fusion — gives off radiant energy.

Hydrogen gas is so much lighter than air that it rises fast and is quickly ejected from the atmosphere. This is why hydrogen as a gas (H2) is not found by itself on Earth. It is found only in compound form with other elements. Hydrogen combined with oxygen, is water (H2O). Hydrogen combined with carbon forms different compounds, including methane (CH4), coal, and petroleum.

Energy from the Sun The Sun has produced energy for billions of years.  Solar energy is the Sun’s rays (solar radiation) that reach the Earth. This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity.

Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” change sunlight directly into electricity. Individual PV cells are grouped into panels and arrays of panels that can be used in a wide range of applications ranging from single small cells that charge calculator and watch batteries, to systems that power single homes, to large power plants covering many acres.

Solar energy systems do not produce air pollutants or carbon-dioxide

Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals (microorganisms). Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. Plants absorb the sun's energy in a process called photosynthesis. The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people that eat them. Biomass is a renewable energy source because we can always grow more trees and crops, and waste will always exist. Some examples of biomass fuels are wood, crops, manure, and some garbage. When burned, the chemical energy in biomass is released as heat. If you have a fireplace, the wood you burn in it is a biomass fuel. Wood waste or garbage can be burned to produce steam for making electricity, or to provide heat to industries and homes.

Crops like corn and sugar cane can be fermented to produce ethanol. Biodiesel, another transportation fuel, can be produced from left-over food products like vegetable oils and animal fats.

Ethanol and biodiesel were the fuels used in the first automobile and diesel engines, but lower cost gasoline and diesel fuel made from crude oil became the dominant vehicle fuels. The Federal government has promoted ethanol use in vehicles to help reduce oil imports since the mid-1970s.

"As the sun warms the Earth's surface, the atmosphere warms too. Some parts of the Earth receive direct rays from the sun all year and are always warm. Other places receive indirect rays, so the climate is colder. Warm air, which weighs less than cold air, rises. Then cool air moves in and replaces the rising warm air. This movement of air is what makes the wind blow."

Solar energy is energy that is obtain from the sun. This can be found most common in lights and high tech watches.Solar energy does not work when the sun is not shinning.