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Solar Energy And Its Social Consequences
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Solar Energy and Its Social Consequences To understand the social consequences of solar energy, one must be aware of what solar energy is. Solar energy is a radiant energy produced in the sun as a result of nuclear fusion reactions. It is transmitted to the earth through space in quanta of energy called photons, which interact with the earth’s atmosphere and surface. The strength of solar radiation at the outer edge of the earth’s atmosphere when the earth is at its average distance from the sun is called the solar constant. The intensity of energy actually available at the earth’s surface is less than the solar constant because of the absorption and scattering of radiant energy as photons interact with the earth’s atmosphere (Thorsen, 1997, Encarta). The amount and strength of the solar energy available at any point on the earth depends on the day of the year, time of day, the latitude of the collection point, and the orientation of the object used in collection. The earth is rich in abundant natural resources. However, the earth’s natural resources are being consumed at an astronomical rate. It will only be a matter of time before those resources are depleted and we are forced to consider other alternatives. We can wait until every resource has been consumed and go back to living the way mankind did a century ago, or we can continue to move forward and explore the possibilities of harnessing the power of something that remains constant in our lives—the sun. ...
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