Home Solar Energy Systems

Are Home Solar Energy Systems Safe?

Home solar energy systems are in their early stages of development. Consequently, we have much to learn about them.

Solar energy is power which is drawn from direct sunlight. There are many uses of this energy source such as heating, electricity generation and lighting, as well as powering food appliances and testing of motor vehicles. Converting a household's energy needs to solar applications is a great way to help control global warming and reduce energy costs.

Plans for home solar energy systems are designed to bring the greatest amount of sunlight into the house. These houses are built with equipment that will help them acquire and store solar energy.

Solar energy is produced by nuclear fusion inside the sun. This process works on the same principles of nuclear physics used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. Is it dangerous to live with home solar energy systems? The answer is both yes and no, because we do not yet know all the dangers or inconveniences caused by the sun. Energy from the sun depends solely on the whims of the sun and the reliability of the sun is is a question still to be answered.

In recent years, we have learned that it is wise to stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible. The evidence is already clear that too much exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer. Solar collectors concentrate sunlight and convert it into electricity and this resource is used by our home solar energy systems to light our bulbs and heat our rooms and swimming pools. Does this process cause any danger to us?

No medical study has yet dealt with this issue; and, most likely, none is planned. In their zeal to connect us blindly to home solar energy systems; scientists seem to ignore the possibility of any fire hazards. The sunlight naturally reaching us directly from space is at safe levels and poses little threat of fire. However, when sunlight is concentrated with a simple piece of glass, it can easily ignite flammable materials. If this issue were widely considered, who would feel safe with solar concentrators on their roof?

The two most difficult to design home solar energy systems, which will have minimal dependence on fossil fuels, have been cooling and cooking methods. In hot and humid places such as the State of Florida, air conditioning is more necessary than de-humidification is for cooling. Yet, without some form of de-humidification, molds and fungi can become a serious problem. Therefore, home solar energy systems must be designed to minimize mold and fungus problems by the use of ventilation.

When the goal is minimal dependence on fossil fuels, using home solar energy systems for kitchens becomes a major challenge. Is there any danger to food cooked by solar power? Would the excessive energy caused by sunspots create a hazard? Certainly, these issues need to be studied. Once it can be proven that there are no health risks posed when using solar energy at home, people will feel much more secure.

Home solar energy systems, solar plants, nuclear plants, wind farms and hydro-electric dams all have one thing in common they provide energy for domestic use. Coal and oil are popular because the technology driving these plants has been around for over one hundred years. The innovation of electricity, automobiles and aircraft has integrated everyone's life with oil. The misconception of solar energy cutting America's dependence on foreign oil must stop. Anyone who uses a combustion engine or aircraft, like jets for transportation is more than likely a consumer of oil energy. Alternative fuels are the answer to oil independence not solar energy.