People can’t live without the Sun. In fact, they could, but the question is how long it would take. Without the Sun, humanity would probably disappear very quickly. The star closest to us is the source of life. Also, it is increasingly becoming a significant factor in the global economy.
Investing large funds in solar energy is something that happens on a global scale. One of the main reasons for this is the increasing global pollution. It’s a result of the overuse of fossil fuels. The world ‘cries out’ for alternative energy sources. Leading global economies are spending large funds on implementing solar power in all industry fields.
Street lighting that works on the principle of solar panels is an innovation that many countries use. Especially ‘sunny’ countries, like Puerto Rico, are investing in these technologies. Given that high return on investment is possible here and Puerto Rico solar street lights are a ‘bright’ example that other states should follow.
Unending Energetic Source
The problem with fossil fuels, apart from high pollution, is that their reserves are dwindling. Consumption at the global level is growing as the world industry develops and progresses. But nature can’t keep the pace with that growth. Natural fossil fuel reserves can’t renew that fast. It’s possible they may soon disappear.
On the other hand, the Sun is there longer than people, and will probably be there long after them. It is an eternal source of energy, it is entirely free, and what is crucial, it doesn’t have a negative impact on nature. Solar power is renewable since it doesn’t affect the balance that exists in nature in any way.
The rough estimate is that the Sun illuminates the Earth with an enormous amount of heat and light every day. This power is ten times more potent than the energy of all the world’s power plants. This fact says enough about the potential of this energy source.
No Need for Physical Plant
The light and heat that the Earth gets from the Sun’s rays are intangible and don’t represent any physical matter. The possibilities of using solar power are practically unlimited. Today, humankind uses it in forms of thermal, electrical, mechanical, and chemical energy.
In order to get any of these, it is necessary to turn the Sun’s rays into usable energy. The direct conversion of sunlight into other forms of energy is relatively easy and simple. Specialized collectors are most often used for this. Dimensions of these devices are no larger than an average single window.
These devices serve to accumulate solar energy in them. Through unique processes (like greenhouse effects), the sunlight becomes heat or electricity used in households, industry, or street lighting. These systems are relatively simple and don’t take up too much space. On this link, find out more on how solar panels work.
Solar Street Lamps Are Compact and Convenient
As for street lamps, those that run on solar power consist of smart sensors, solar panels (also known as PV modules), an in-built battery, and light bulbs that emit converted energy. LED bulbs are an excellent add-on to solar street lighting. They are known for their longevity, energy conservation, and minimal maintenance.
All of the above components can be ‘packed’ into a single street light. It means that there is no need to build a plant for power storage. In fact, every street lamp is a mini-plant for itself. During the day, PV panels accumulate reserves of the Sun’s power, which is stored in the battery. These resources are quite enough for one street lamp to shine all night.
High Energy Efficiency
Street lighting that uses power obtained from the Sun is quite efficient when it comes to saving energy. As said, using LED bulbs is one step towards savings. They are cost-effective and convenient. Another smart move is the use of features like night and motion sensors.
Night sensors activate street lighting when the amount of natural light drops and that happens at dusk. Also, the sensors detect the dawn, and then the lights slowly fade until they turn out finally. This working principle is much more efficient than programming on and off time of ‘ordinary’ street lighting. With solar street lights, you will never see the street lights on until 5 PM during the summer.
Motion sensors are often installed on street lights located in places where many people are circulating. When someone approaches the lamp, it turns on at full brightness. If no movement is detected, the system returns to average lumens brightness.
Financial Benefits
The Sun is no one’s private property. No one pays for the right to use heat and light from this natural source. What the Earth gets from the Sun is free, but the final product is not free. It takes certain costs for building systems that transfer sunlight into usable energy.
At the beginning of the energy revolution, power obtained from the Sun was not cheap. Today, the energy obtained in this way is by far the most cost-effective. Advanced technologies implemented in solar systems created space to make solar power more affordable for residential and commercial use.
The savings achieved by using the Sun’s potential will have a significant impact on preserving the environment. That is especially important for developing countries. These industries use tremendous amounts of fossil fuels. They work on replacing regular street lighting with the solar one. This link, https://sciencing.com/negative-effects-of-fossil-fuel-13425073.html, will tell you more about this.
As Sun energy became more available, developing economies can invest in it. That will help reduce pollution and make their industries more efficient. And when states made savings, they can redirect a part of these funds to future projects for environment preservation.
Every part of the Earth is under the influence of Sun’s radiation. Certain parts of the planet have more sunny days and better conditions for using solar energy. But that is not the rule of a thumb. What matters is how much is invested in existing and new systems and how that energy is distributed.