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| Welcome to the Craig Research Labs Solar Energy Page. This page is devoted to solar energy topics and resources. At Craig Research Labs, we believe that solar power is a critically important source of energy for this planet and that it should be rapidly developed. Therefore, we present you with this page of solar resources and information to explore in the hopes that once you become more familiar with solar energy, you too will begin to appreciate and use it, and eventually will come to champion it. |
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Solar power is easy to generate, non-poluting, and is an effectively inexhaustible source of energy. Historically it has not been considered economical enough for widespread adoption due to the inefficiency and expense of older solar cells, and the low cost and abundent supply of petroleum during the twentieth century. In recent years this picture has begun to change, with the general rise in oil and gas prices, the environmental impact of fossil fuel use, the overwhelming safety concerns surrounding nuclear energy, and new technological advances in the field of solar energy research including substantial increases in the efficiency of solar cells, and new solar cell manufacturing techniques that are lowering the overall cost per kilowatt hour for "on the grid" solar electric generation. It is beginning to look as though solar's day has finally arrived.
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To drive this point home, I would like to begin our tour of the world of solar energy with a link to BP (formerly British Petroleum), an oil company that has recently decided that solar energy is actually marketable. They have launched a highly visible ad campaign singing solar energy's praises, for which we applaud them. |
When you're through looking at BP's solar page, explore these other links to learn more about solar energy:
US Department of Energy Photovoltaics Program - Take a look inside the US government's solar energy program. This site contains (among a great many other things) a neat video animation where you can learn how a solar cell works.
PV Power Resource Site - This site covers a wide variety of solar topics; of particular interest is a very thorough history of the development and use of solar energy going back to 1839.
Mr. Solar Home Page - The best practical solar energy page I know of for individuals interested in do-it-yourself solar home conversion. Learn how to live "off the grid". In particular, check out the FAQ on the Education Center page.
Solar Energy Product Buyer's Guide - A HUGE database.
World Solar Challenge - Official site of the annual solar car race held in Australia.
www.solarsite.net - This is a "click to donate" charity site that seeks to raise money to install eco-friendly solar power generating equipment in developing countries. Visit the site, click the button, and a small donation will be made to fund solar projects. The donation is free for you -- it's paid for by the site's advertising sponsors. To the best of my knowledge, www.solarsite.net is unique -- it's the only click to donate site on the Internet dedicated to supporting the development of solar energy.
A Solar Company - Solar power installer located in California -- where the sun always shines! I love their slogan: "Short on energy? Make your own!"
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