Solar Thermal Applications

Abstract

Man is known to be the only animal that uses energy. Several centuries ago he fully depended upon the energy of his muscles and the energy that he received from the sun. With the discovery of fire he started using wood as the source of energy. He also knew that trees, besides giving wood for burning provide cool shade, timber for building shelters, food in the form of leaves, fruits and nuts, and unlimited additional advantages. He, therefore depended fully on trees and sun, worshiped them and learned how to grow more trees. As man became more civiliged he discovered coal, oil and gas and started utilising them to fulfill his energy needs without realising that their reserves are limited. With the increase in population the consumption of wood also increasd resulting in denudation of forests. The reserves of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas also started decreasing resulting in increase in their prices and scarcity in countries where these fuels are not available. Their large scale burning has created environmental problems for the mankind, animal world and for living beings.