Solar Power

"The sun's energy comes from deep within the core. Here, the scorching heat causes hydrogen atoms to move constantly. Some of the atoms slam together and stick, in a process called nuclear fusion. Fusion changes hydrogen into a heavier atom, helium. Along the way, energy is released as heat and light. Energy created by fusion inside the Sun streams out in every direction. Light travels through space like waves on the ocean--but much faster. From the time the light leaves the Sun, it takes just over eight minutes to reach Earth. "Earth absorbs only about one-billionth of the heat and light released by the Sun." Some might mistakenly assume that a heavily-illustrated 48 page book set in large type would not have much depth. Not only does Petersen explain the science of solar power being an essential part of life and fossil fuels, but she goes on to discuss solar energy technologies. Admirably, she gives significant weight to passive solar heating (which is shortchanged in many comparable books) and domestic solar hot water heating systems, before delving into the large scale high tech systems and out-in-space systems.