Solar power is not simply used to power our homes and businesses: solar power is used to power the earth. In fact, solar power has been the main source of power for the earth since time began!

Without solar power, there would be no photosynthesis, no rain, no wind, no current, etc. Today, people are coming up with many ways to harness the power of the sun, creating solar cells to transform solar power into electricity, etc.

Of course, solar power is, in a sense, the source of many of our other forms of power, as well.

Wind Power Wind turbines are becoming a popular source for alternative energy. In truth, though, solar power actually plays a large part in creating wind power. When the energy of the sun acts upon the oceans and on the atmosphere, winds are produced. These are the winds that make ships sail and windmills turn. Without the sun, we would not be able to produce wind power!

Hydroelectric power Without solar power, we would not be able to have hydroelectric power, either. The water of the earth is a continuous cycle. The sun evaporates water from the oceans, and it later falls as rain. The rain then returns to the oceans by stream or lakes or seeping into the ground, etc. These waters can be used to make electricity, too, with modern turbines.

Biofuel The sun is extremely important in the process of photosynthesis, etc. All plants rely on the sun. They convert solar energy into chemical energy. So, when we create biofuels, like ethanol or even basic wood to burn, we should know that we could not do so without solar power!

These are just a few other ways in which solar power is used that you might not have thought of. In a sense, we have been using solar power, at least indirectly, for centuries! Without the sun, we would not even have natural gas or coal, etc.