Energy is all around us. It is what keeps our world working. However, many of our resources will run out one day, considering there is only a limited supply of important materials. Additionally, we have to find safer ways to create power, considering that the majority of our energy sources are the direct cause of global warming. We are already using other sources of energy that will never run out, such as the sun, which is one of the energies of the natural world that scientists are developing methods to unlock. Without the Sun’s energy, there would be no life on Earth. Fortunately, the Sun’s only halfway through its life cycle and will probably last for another five billion years. Therefore, it is certainly a renewable source of energy.

 There are several ways sunlight can be converted into energy, including growing plants, heating water and producing electricity from the sunlight’s rays. The simplest method of converting sunlight into useful energy is to place containers of water in strong sunshine. An arrangement of huge mirrors reflect the sunlight to a single spot, creating enormous heat. This system is used to boil water and create steam, which turns a turbine to generate electricity. Sunlight can also be turned directly into electricity. A special and well-known device called photovoltaic cells, or PVCs, can convert the Sun’s rays into a flow of electricity called a current. PVCs are very useful in secluded places where there are no normal energy sources.

 The Sun’s power is free, clean and carbon-free. There is plenty of it, and is unlikely to run out. It could solve many of our energy problems in the future, as long as scientists find new methods to harness it efficiently. Are there drawbacks? Unfortunately, yes. There is no Sun at night, furthermore, some areas of the world, such as countries in the far north or south get much less sunshine than others. Some even get almost no Sun at all in winter. More satisfactory and efficient ways of storing solar energy also need to be invented.

 Despite having tremendous benefits, solar energy also needs to be developed much further before it can take over other energy sources that are causing major damage to our environment, like fossil fuels.