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With the increased focus on alternative energy, like solar power, many people are beginning to wonder just how does solar power work?

Some of the concerns of consumers is whether or not this is something that they can implement in their own lives effectively and will it work to meet their needs. Although the sun has been put to work for us for many centuries, it is only recently that we have begun to fully understand and use its power. Therefore the answer is yes.

But what are the ways we can really use solar power? Converting light into electricity is the most popular way of using solar panels. Lots of people have used this technology before in the form of solar powered calculators but never actually realized it. In what way does this solar power really work?

The sun light is converted into energy by the solar panels which initially catch the light. One square meter of panels will harness enough power to run a hundred watt light bulb. It doesn’t seem like a lot to start with, but think about how many meters of free, unused spaced you have on your roof right now. Without taking up any usable space, solar panels allow you to harness the free power from the sun.

Another useful system are solar water heaters. This type of solar power works by using the sun to heat water. This is achieved by pumping water through pipes that are painted a dark color so as the pipes are heated by the sun, the water inside also warms as well. 90% of a home’s hot water is what some companies claim their water heaters can supply.

The only drawback is that the pipes have to be drained in the winter to keep them from freezing, but some companies have built in systems that make this easier to do.

Solar furnaces are a third type of solar power. A solar furnace is a group of mirrors that focus the sun’s rays. How does this type of solar power work?

Very hot temperatures can be reached by focusing the rays from the sun. Some scientists have used this type of heating to reach temperatures over 5400 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of heating does take a while though, but if you aren’t in a hurry it is a great way to heat things at no cost.