As humanity looks to the coming decades, finding alternative, sustainable sources for energy and fuel as been a concern of high priority. One of the primary areas of study, and probably one of the most established thus far, is solar energy. The use of energy from the sun dates back to 7th century B.C. when people began using solar heat and mirrors to light fires and torches. The solar energy technology we know today began in 1767 when a Swiss scientist named Horace de Saussure collected solar energy to cook his food during a trip in South Africa. Robert Sterling applied for a patent for his economizer in 1816, used to reduce energy consumption in the heating process. In the 1860s, August Mouchet proposed an idea for solar-powered steam engines. Countless scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and inventors contributed to the advancement of solar energy use throughout history, including Albert Einstein in 1905 with the publication of his article on the photoelectric effect.
Energy.gov‘s predications for future use of solar energy state that, “All buildings will be built to combine energy-efficient design and construction practices and renewable energy technologies for a net-zero energy building. In effect, the building will conserve enough and produce its own energy supply to create a new generation of cost-effective buildings that have zero net annual need for non-renewable energy.” They also provide a list of current Solar Energy Zones used for optimal solar energy development and collection in the U.S. It will be very interesting to see how solar energy use increases and shifts as new alternative, environment-friendly energy sources develop as well.
Biophilia in the Digital World 