The sun has been providing heat and light for billions of years and it is expected that it will continue to do so for billions of years to come. All plants get their energy from the sun and all animals get their energy mainly from the plants. Therefore, the sun is a source of energy for animals.
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for all living beings. Apart from nuclear energy, all other forms of energy result from solar energy. The fossil fuels, bio-fuels and natural gas are in effect "bottled" solar energy. The wind and rivers which provide renewable energy are also the result of solar energy.
Sun is one of the most powerful renewable sources of energy for the future. As long as the sun exists, we will continue to get its energy. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the upper atmospheres, the rest is absorbed by the land, sea and clouds.
Solar energy is used commonly for heating, cooking, production of electricity, and even in the desalination of seawater. With the help of solar cells, solar energy is converted into electricity. One of the most common uses of the sun’s energy has been for water heating systems. It is also used to provide power to the vehicles, generate electricity, lighting streets, cooking.
On a small scale, solar energy is being used to heat up water for daily use in homes and also the swimming pools. On a larger scale, solar energy could be used to run cars, power plants, and space ships.
We have been using the light and heat of the sun's rays since ancient times for different purposes. Some of the advantages of using solar energy are:
No doubt, the sun is the source of all the energies in one way or another, but using the sun as a source of energy also has certain limitations.