Solar Energy
The Sun’s Rays Offer An Endless Supply Of Cheap Energy
Australia is widely recognized as a leading nation in solar energy research. Solar energy is energy that comes from the sun. Solar energy is more popular here than in Europe as a source of power because Australia receives a lot of sunlight.
Since the early 1970s Australians have used solar energy as a alternative means of providing heating. Black , heat absorbing solar panels focus the sun’s rays on a series of pipes. Water is run through the pipes and is warmed by the heat stored in the solar panels. At night time or when there is little sunshine convectional energy is used.
Solar energy is not just used for heating, it can also be used as power for calculators, starting up motor cars, provide power for cooking ect. Because solar energy is collected from the sun it does not harm the environment and is safe to use, whereas fossil fuel and nuclear reactors let out harmful gasses and can be dangerous to the environment.
The CSIRO is an Australian research institute working to benefit Australian industry. It has been a leading contributor to development of solar energy research. It continues to make progress inventing new ways of using the sun’s power.
