Governments and various organizations worldwide have put concerted efforts to sensitize the world population about the concept of solar energy.
The rays emanated by the sun are the source of the solar energy and are a result of a nuclear reaction involving the gaseous elements that makes up the sun.
The reaction causes a bright glow and releases an enormous amount of heat which we receive as sunlight.
By use of solar panels we are able to harness sun rays and convert it into solar power that can be used to power home appliances, heat and light our home.
For the purpose of demonstration we are going to explain how to set up a water distiller.
This equipment uses the principles of evaporation and condensation.
The equipment can purify dirty water and turn it into clean and safe water for drinking.
To successively have this project working you need the following equipment - • A container that is the size of an ice-cream box.
It should be around 10 centimeters deep.
• Aluminum foil.
• A smaller container preferably a glass that fit into the ice-cream box.
It should be at least 2 centimeters shorter than the ice-cream container.
• A clear plastic seal/cover.
• Adhesive tape Cover the inner side of the ice-cream container with the aluminum foil.
Use the adhesive tape to hold the foil into place.
Remember the aluminum foil is shiny and reflects sun rays and hence if the container itself is shiny then there is no need to use aluminum foil.
Put some dirty water in the ice-cream container at least 2 cm high.
Place the smaller vessel in the ice-cream container.
Make sure the water in the ice-cream container is such that the smaller vessel does not float.
Cover the top of the ice-cream box with the plastic seal.
The top edges of the smaller vessels inside the ice-cream box should not come into contact with the plastic seal.
Place the equipment outside where it can receive maximum sunlight exposure.
After sometime you can check what is happening.
When the water in the ice-cream container is heated it evaporates, but the water vapor is blocked by the plastic cover and forms droplets which falls inside the smaller vessel in the ice-cream container.
After several hours clean water will have collected in the smaller vessel.
The clean water is separated from the dirt by the process of distillation.
You should take caution however not to use water which may be polluted with toxic substances.
Some toxic elements may not be completely eliminated and would need a further process to clean the water.
Solar power can be used for many other projects like cookers, power radios and robots.
You can get information on how to set up such projects in the internet.
The main advantage of using solar power for such projects and others is that it does not emit any obnoxious gases that pollute the environment.
It is also free and available in abundance.
The world is quickly running out of energy sources and since solar energy is plenty it is the best option to ease power shortage.
To set up a project like the one we have explained above using electricity power or any other fuel you would have incurred some cost.
By using solar energy however you have incurred no cost to pay for the power used.
If the same concept is used to provide power for many other home appliances, heating and lighting our houses it means we would reduce our utility bills considerably.