Talk:Solar energy/Sandbox

Lead section

Original

(September 2008)

Solar energy refers to the utilization of the radiant energy from the Sun. Solar power is used interchangeably with solar energy, but refers more specifically to the conversion of sunlight into electricity by photovoltaics, concentrating solar thermal devices, or by an experimental technology such as a solar chimney or solar pond.

Solar energy and shading are important considerations in building design. Thermal mass is used to conserve the heat that sunshine delivers to all buildings. Daylighting techniques optimize the use of light in buildings. Solar water heaters heat swimming pools and provide domestic hot water. In agriculture, greenhouses expand growing seasons and pumps powered by solar cells (known as photovoltaics) provide water for grazing animals. Evaporation ponds are used to harvest salt and clean waste streams of contaminants.

Solar distillation and disinfection techniques produce potable water for millions of people worldwide. Simple applications include clotheslines and solar cookers which concentrate sunlight for cooking, drying and pasteurization. More sophisticated technologies concentrate sunlight for high-temperature material testing, metal smelting and industrial chemical production. A range of experimental solar vehicles provide ground, air and sea transportation.

Proposal

(22:04, 7 October 2008)

Solar energy is heat and light from the sun. This energy resource powers the climate and weather and sustains life on Earth. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for over 99.97% of the available flow of renewable energy on Earth.

Solar energy technologies can provide daylighting and thermal comfort in passive buildings; potable water via distillation and disinfection; water and space heating; space cooling by absorption or vapor-compression refrigeration; high temperature process heat for industrial purposes; and electrical generation by thermal or photovoltaic means.

Interim

(formerly identified as "current version")

Solar energy uses the light and radiant heat from the Sun which powers Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. Since ancient times it has been harnessed for human use through a range of technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth.

The term solar power is used interchangeably with solar energy, but refers more specifically to the conversion of sunlight into electricity by photovoltaics, concentrating solar thermal devices, or by an experimental technology such as a solar chimney or solar pond.

Solar energy technologies can provide daylighting and thermal comfort in passive buildings, potable water via distillation and disinfection, hot water and space heating, space cooling by absorption or vapor-compression refrigeration, thermal energy for cooking, high temperature process heat for industrial purposes, and transportation.

Revised (make changes below, use only after everyone agrees)

Solar energy uses the light and radiant heat from the Sun, that powers Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. Since ancient times it has been harnessed for human use with a variety of technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth.

Solar power is used synonymously with solar energy, but refers more specifically to the conversion of sunlight into electricity by photovoltaics, concentrating solar thermal devices, or by an experimental technology such as a solar chimney or solar pond.

Solar energy technologies can provide daylighting and thermal comfort in passive buildings, potable water via distillation and disinfection, hot water and space heating, space cooling by absorption or vapor-compression refrigeration, thermal energy for cooking, high temperature process heat for industrial purposes, and transportation. < add missing items, make into sentences where possible >

< add a third or third and fourth paragraph >

Consensus version

17:44, 14 October 2008 (UTC)

Solar energy is the light and radiant heat from the Sun that influences Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. Solar power is the rate of solar energy at a point in time; it is sometimes used as a synonym for solar energy or more specifically to refer to electricity generated from solar radiation. Since ancient times solar energy has been harnessed for human use through a range of technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available flow of renewable energy on Earth.

Solar energy technologies can provide electrical generation by heat engine or photovoltaic means, daylighting and space heating in passive solar and active solar buildings, potable water via distillation and disinfection, hot water, space cooling by absorption or vapor-compression refrigeration, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.

Further changes (proposal)

Solar energy is the light and radiant heat from the Sun that influences Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. Solar power, often used interchangeably with solar energy, refers to electricity generated from solar radiation. Since ancient times solar energy has been harnessed for human use through a range of technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available flow of renewable energy on Earth.

Solar energy technologies can provide electrical generation by heat engine or photovoltaic means, daylighting and space heating in passive solar and active solar buildings, potable water via distillation and disinfection, hot water, space cooling by absorption or vapor-compression refrigeration, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.