How to Go About Measuring Solar Energy Accurately
You may not realize
it but solar energy is not so simple a phenomenon
as simply rays reaching the Earth at a constant
speed. Actually, measuring solar energy can
be quite complicated too because the Sun that
gives us solar energy is always in a state
of flux. And anything in a state of flux is
always difficult to pin down with accurate
measurements.
We can start measuring solar energy accurately
when realize there are two main forms of solar
energy that we can experience. The first is
direct solar energy – this is the solar
energy supplied directly by the rays of the
Sun. The other form is termed diffuse solar
energy which is basically solar energy that
has been mitigated somewhat by atmosphere
of the Earth.
We can also measure solar energy using modern
technology that can determine whether rays
from the Sun are made up of just solar radiation,
near-infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and/or
x-ray type of solar energy. Modern measurement
technology is usually installed on satellites
that can directly catch solar energy being
emitted by the Sun from its position in space
to our Earth – so the satellites have
to be somewhere in orbit to catch these rays
of solar energy and measure them appropriately.
Even without this modern measurement equipment,
we know how important solar energy is for
the survival of Earth-based biological systems
on a daily basis. And this is where climate
change plays a serious role as to whether
we will survive this century or not. This
is because the so-called greenhouse effect
can change the way solar energy normally arrives
on Earth, is mitigated by the atmosphere,
is absorbed by Earth systems, alters factors
that the flow of determine Earth systems,
and then bounces back to be released into
space and eventually diffused. Basically,
the greenhouse effect does allow solar energy
to be absorbed into our atmosphere –
but traps the solar energy in our Earth atmosphere
so that it is not diffused in a harmless way
into space. Rather, what happens is that all
that solar energy is kept within the atmosphere
and triggers global warming. Global warming
is literally the warming of our Earth from
all that trapped solar energy. The results
of unchecked global warming could produce
catastrophic results that may prevent our
habitats from adjusting accordingly, and result
in the untimely but logical demise of the
human race.
What does all this mean for us? Can we then
safely use solar energy as an energy source
if we already have surplus solar energy being
trapped within our atmosphere? One known effect
of switching to solar energy is that we become
less dependent or even non-dependent on other
energy sources like fossil fuels that contribute
to global warming. So, in that sense, solar
energy use is acceptable. However, we need
to find ways to reduce global warming too
so that the expected catastrophic changes
will not come. Experts say that reforestation
projects will definitely help. But we need
more such solutions so that we can hasten
the reversal of global warming and guarantee
the survival of people on Earth longer.
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