| A solar furnace is a device which produces heat | | | | mirror, or an array of mirrors, which act as |
| by concentrating solar energy. In order to | | | | parabolic reflectors that concentrate the light onto |
| concentrate this solar energy, the furnace uses | | | | a single point. The heat thus generated can be |
| reflectors. | | | | used as an alternative energy source, can be |
| A small solar furnace can be used to prepare | | | | used to produce hydrogen fuel, or can even melt |
| food as a substitute for firewood. A large solar | | | | steel. |
| furnace can produce enough electricity to power | | | | Small-scale furnaces can be used for cooking, for |
| a small community. | | | | pasteurization, and as outdoor camping ovens. |
| Some organizations have introduced this | | | | The main drawback to this form of renewable |
| technology to developing nations, in the hopes | | | | energy is that it still depends on weather |
| that it might lessen the consumption of firewood, | | | | conditions for its effectiveness. Once the sky |
| and help solve the deforestation problems in that | | | | gets cloudy, its heat output diminishes. |
| particular region. | | | | Solar Furnaces in History |
| How Does a Solar Furnace Work? | | | | It has been said that Greek inventor Archimedes |
| This is a really a very simple system. In principle, | | | | used a solar furnace to set the sails of enemy |
| one needs to use at least two mirrors, and point | | | | ships on fire. If this is true, he would have had to |
| them in the same direction, so that they focus | | | | have known the technology to precisely focus |
| light on a concentrated area. This in return | | | | sunlight on a distant target. In ancient times, |
| intensifies the sunlight, because the area not only | | | | mirrors were made out of polished copper or |
| receives heat from the sun, but also from the | | | | silver. They couldn't be accurately focused as |
| two mirrors. If you add more mirrors into the | | | | easily as our modern mirrors can. However, those |
| set, you can produce a greater degree of heat, | | | | were times of strength and skill. In 1973, The |
| which can then be used for cooking or in other | | | | Greek navy did recreate this scenario as an |
| applications where heat energy is necessary. | | | | experiment, and succeeded in setting fire to a |
| There are some groups which can create such a | | | | wooden boat fifty meters away. |
| furnace which produces a large amount of heat | | | | There may be more we can learn from history |
| energy to turn organic materials into ashes. | | | | on the use of solar power and alternative energy. |
| It has been said that the only limiting factor to | | | | After all, those were times without gas pumps |
| the amount of heat that can be created, is how | | | | and power grids. But what's most important is |
| efficiently the mirrors are focused on a single | | | | that we continue to research, develop, and |
| spot. The more accurate the focus of each | | | | implement clean energy solutions, wherever we |
| mirror, the more heat can be produced. | | | | can in the modern world - both for the sake of |
| When used properly, a solar furnace can harness | | | | our nations' respective economies, and for the |
| the sun's rays to produce very high | | | | sake of a cleaner future on Earth. |
| temperatures. This is done by using a curved | | | | |