WARMING TO NEW ENERGY

The world’s demand for all energy forms is anticipated to increase by fifty four per cent over the next two decades, according to forecasts by the US Energy Information Administration.The long-term energy forecast from the EIA predicts that by 2025, world electricity demand will be almost double what it is now. 
Coal, oil and natural gas are among the fossil fuels which provide most of the world’s energy.When these are burnt, their energy is released but at the same time, carbon dioxide is also released into the air.Not only are these conventional sources finite, they also result in harmful emissions when being burnt, so we need to develop more environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, water and geothermal.   
The amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is six thousand times the amount of energy that we use on Earth.Since ancient times, solar energy has been used to meet some of the world’s energy needs, but with increasing awareness of environmental issues, solar power has come to the fore.
Energy from the sun is a workable alternative to the traditional energy sources of fossil fuels, and is mainly used for generating electricity and heating water.  
In state-of-the-art city skyscrapers and sports stadia to ordinary homes in the heart of suburbia, solar energy provides a clean and cost-effective solution.The giant new 55 000 seater stadium in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung is the first stadium in the world to use solar energy technology to generate power.The massive building was erected for the World Games held in July 2009, and generates sufficient energy from the 8 844 solar panels covering the roof to power the structure’s two enormous TV screens and 3 300 lights.  
That’s solar power on a giant scale.Even on a much smaller scale however, solar power can provide a workable and cost-effective alternative to conventional energy sources for household energy needs.
According to Perth solar power specialists, Solar My World, homeowners will add value to their properties, make a positive contribution to the environment and reduce their power bills by installing solar panels on their properties.   There are two options for solar power for Perth property owners, namely grid connect and off-grid solar power systems.
Grid connect systems are generally installed in build-up areas, and supply solar electricity through an inverter directly to the household.  If the system provides more energy than the property requires, the surplus can be diverted and ‘sold’ to the electricity grid.The other system uses a battery bank for energy storage and is a standalone system.This system is more common in remote outlying areas where people have no or restricted access to traditional power sources.  
Solar power systems can be designed for AC or DC, and can be expanded to meet growing needs making them very versatile systems.
There is increasing concern over the impact that energy generation has on greenhouse gas emissions as it is the largest single contributor to emissions, and there is increasing urgency for people to investigate ways of reducing their own CO2 emissions.By generating power from the solar panels on the roof, the stadium in Kahosiung mentioned earlier will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 660 tons annually.We have the power to save the world if we switch to solar power in our homes.

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