Thermal solar energy

Résumé du document

A renewable energy is a source of energy, which can be renewed quickly enough in order to be considered inexhaustible. It is the outcome of a natural phenomenon usually provoked by the sun, the moon, and the earth… These “energy sources of the future”, whose aim is to replace the use of the well known energies – oil, gas, coal –, constitute a rising market and a real stake on many levels. They respond to geopolitical criteria (the “Grenelle de l'environnement” initiated by the French government set a goal of using 20% of renewable energies by 2020), ecological needs (the fight against global warming by limiting the production of greenhouse effects), and economic opportunities (job creator).

Among all these alternative sources of energy, solar energy is the least exploited, even though wind, water and most elements result from the sun. In addition, solar energy supplies many advantages, which we think can be classified into 3 main categories. Thermal solar energy permits significant energy saving, as well as accessibility to everyone, and finally economic benefits.

Extraits

[...] Knowing that thermal solar energy's assets enable humanity to take a step forward, its development should be undeniable. The future of our planet is at stake. We therefore need to take certain measures in order to protect its resources, and give the earth a chance to thrive longer. These measures include the use of thermal solar energy. Many agree with thermal solar energy's efficiency, and have the means to actually afford this lifestyle. We should therefore ask ourselves why renewable sources of energy, and particularly solar energy, are not commonly used in developed countries. [...]

[...] In France, for instance, hundreds of swimming pools are heated by solar energy, such as the Olympic swimming pool of ‘Castres'. The diversity of the thermal solar energy's application, therefore, enables a consequential conservation of energy. Secondly, we believe that solar energy should be developed because of its accessibility. In fact, the easiest way to benefit from the sun's heat and light in a “passive is to use infrastructures, which are especially designed in order to receive the sun's radiations. [...]

[...] Among all these alternative sources of energy, solar energy is the least exploited, even though wind, water and most elements result from the sun. In addition, solar energy supplies many advantages, which we think can be classified into 3 main categories. Thermal solar energy permits significant energy saving, as well as accessibility to everyone, and finally economic benefits. Among the many reasons why solar energy should be developed, energy conservation seems to be the most obvious. Indeed, every kW of produced heat prevents the emission of carbon dioxide, and therefore guarantees the protection of the ozone layer. [...]

[...] Lastly, this creative source of energy offers various economic benefits. In fact, the investment in solar energy only demands one cost (that of infrastructure), which is obviously profitable in the way that we make an initial investment, and then benefit from the latter in the long term. We can therefore expect considerable high profitability. In addition to this, heating plants on flat roofs in southern countries cost around 2000 Euros for four people, against 3500 to 5000 Euros for traditional heating, which tends to pollute. [...]