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History of Solar Energy
from: Forsgrens
Today, you might have seen a lot of solar panels installed in buildings, in private homes and cars. This is because of the rising cost of oil since the 1973 oil embargo imposed by OPEC. However, the use of solar energy dates back since humans existed in the planet.
Because of the oil embargo, many scientists and researchers have been finding ways to develop an alternative. They have found that the sun�s energy can be used for it. One reason for the oil embargo imposed by OPEC is because of the exhausting fuel supply.
Researchers have been focusing to develop renewable energy to minimize the use of non-renewable energy. The solar power is by far the most successful development in the renewable energy development. The technology of harnessing the sun's energy dates back since World War I where it was used for heating or cooking food. It was, however, forgotten for about 50 years.
Today, since the OPEC oil embargo, solar power is used as an alternative for oil. It was also used because of the clean air act since oil or coal used for producing electricity produces a lot of pollution.
The first solar motor ever recorded in history was invented by Auguste Mouchout, an instructor at Lyce de Tours. He began his work on solar power in 1860 after he expressed concerns about his countrys dependence on coal for power. He told the leaders of his country that the coal supply will be used up. For this reason, he invented a motor that runs on solar power. During the process of inventing the first solar motor, he laid out the foundation for the modern understanding of converting solar energy to mechanical energy.
He also invented a refrigeration device where he displayed it in the Paris Exposition in 1878. He wanted to impress the audience and his government backers of this invention where he explained that the sun's rays can make it possible to make ice. For this invention, he was awarded a medal for his accomplishments.
Another inventor named William Adams developed another device to harness the sun's rays. He was stationed in India where he was the registrar for the English Crown in Bombay and wrote a book titled �Solar Heat: A Substitute for Fuel in Tropical Countries. William Adams noted that he was intrigued by Mouchout's solar steam engine.
He also noted that the design was impractical, very costly and inefficient to track the sun. He claimed that his design would be cheaper and very efficient to track the sun by building a large rack of small mirrors and adjust each one to reflect the sun's rays in a specific direction arranged in a semi circle. The entire semi circle rack can be rolled around a semi circular track, projecting the concentrated radiation into a stationary boiler.
Today, because of advancement in technology, many people now use the sun�s rays to generate electricity and heat. They now place solar panels on the roof of their house or in the sides of the buildings to provide electricity. Because of this, they now cut their electric bills in half and sometimes they don't pay anything at all. This is a great way to save a lot of money on electric bills. Not only that, it is a great way to reduce pollution in the environment.
Since the invention of solar panels, it has been very popular for many people in tropical countries or in places where sunlight is abundant.
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