So near and yet so far. The sun is 150 million kilometres from the earth – yet it is indispensable for all life on our planet because it provides our light and heat. In just 30 minutes the sun supplies as much energy as is consumed by the entire world in a year – free of charge. What could be more obvious than to tap this inexhaustible energy source in order to save valuable fuels and to protect the environment from pollutant emissions?

The environmental and increasingly also economic benefits of solar energy have resulted in huge growth rates in the solar market in recent decades. More and more homeowners are installing solar panels on their roofs.
It’s a good example of environmental conviction to give renewable natural energies precedence over conventional fuels. At the same time users of solar energy have the advantage of reducing their dependence on energy suppliers and their exposure to increases in energy prices.

Solar energy can be used in two ways: generating electricity from light, termed photovoltaics, is one option. The second and particularly efficient option of using this energy is solar heating in which the heat from the sun is used to heat water for washing etc. and for space heating. You can test the heating effect of the sun directly for yourself by laying a water-filled garden hose on the lawn. The water is soon heated to 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. The high-performance collector in a solar heating system works in accordance with the same physical principle.

The commonest form of using solar energy for heating purposes in Central Europe is water heating. Solar heating, on the other hand, should be seen as a supplementary factor – particularly in the transitional months of March to October.

Of course, we have to accept natural weather patterns, including seasonally imposed restrictions on the use of solar energy. But even in Central Europe the amount of energy obtained from insolation is sufficient to save up to 60 per cent of the heating oil or gas consumed annually for producing hot water. In other words, it’s definitely worth it in energy terms.

Without a doubt the future belongs to solar energy among other alternative
energy sources. The high standard of modern technology, the limited availability of conventional fuels, environmental considerations and the energy cost savings achievable mean that the prospects for the solar sector are attractive.
This is all the more true since government grants are still available for the use of solar energy systems in private households (in Germany, at least). Anyone opting to install a solar power system should not forget to investigate the grants offered by national, regional and even many local governments.

In the medium to long term the continuing rise in energy prices for oil and gas will mean a significant expansion of this technology which will make good economic sense in every way. This is all the more true since solar power systems are durable consumer goods with a service life of substantially more than 20 years. What level oil and gas prices will have reached in 10 or 20 years is one for the crystal ball.