What Can Solar Energy Be Used For?

The world uses an incredible amount of energy every single day. There are nearly 8 billion people in the world, most of whom use some sort of energy form on a daily basis. As a planet, we are currently using over 160,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy every year. One terawatt is equal to one trillion watts. For reference, the average American home uses about 1,200 watts per day, which is an incredibly small percentage of the energy used around the world each day.

Think about all of the individuals, cities, and countries around the world and how many homes, businesses, and schools there are. In order to keep everything running, they all require energy. Throughout history, that energy has primarily been created through coal, oil, and natural gas. However, renewable energy has grown significantly as technology has continued to advance. The most abundant renewable resource is solar energy. So, what can solar energy be used for?

How Do We Use Solar Energy?

We use solar energy just like other forms of energy—to power our businesses, homes, devices, and more. But what are the exact ways we utilize solar power?

Here are some of the most common solar energy uses:

• Solar Electricity - The main way that we use solar energy is by converting it into electricity that we then use to power all of the devices, appliances, and technology that we use each day. This is done through the use of solar panels that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity.

• Solar Heating - Another way that we use solar energy is through solar heating. Solar heating systems often absorb the heat from sunlight and store it to later be used to heat buildings. They can also absorb sunlight to heat a fluid—like water—to then transfer the heat into a given space.

• Solar Ventilation - Solar ventilation involves preheating air via solar energy before it enters a building. A solar wall or solar collector collects sunlight to preheat ventilated air, reducing the need for alternative forms of heating.

• Solar Lighting - Similar to solar electricity, another common use of solar energy is solar lighting. This involves solar panels that directly power individual lights, signs, and more. This reduces the need to power these systems with electricity since the sun provides all the energy needed.

These are only a few of the main ways that we currently use solar energy. As we continue to learn more and develop new solar technology, the ways in which we use solar energy will evolve as well.

The Elumis Foundation believes that no child should be left in the dark. Our goal is to use solar kits to bring light to families and children around the world who don’t have access to electricity. With the renewable power of the sun, we can change the lives of people all around the world, give them opportunities they wouldn’t have without access to electricity, and help our planet in the process. Find out how you can get involved and help us make a difference today!

About the Elumis Foundation

The Elumis Foundation is a certified non-profit organization that was created in 2018 by siblings Eva and Michael Sakellakis (ages 15 and 13), looking to make a difference. Their father, who has his own successful solar business Elumis, helped and inspired them to form the foundation. Together they formed a Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization. This allows all donations to be tax-deductible by the donors. 100% of all donations received will fund the distribution of solar kits to be given to families who do not have electricity in impoverished areas of the world.

Elumis’ goal is to bring light to families and kids without that privilege through solar kits. These solar kits are powered through solar panels and can provide light and electricity for a family for up to 24 continuous hours. The Foundation has already made its first donation of 1000 solar kits in Vietnam and plans to distribute more kits to third-world countries throughout Africa, South East Asia, Central America, and India. Our goal is to distribute at least 100,000 kits to families in need.