Solar panels can be used for different applications like remote power systems for cabins, remote sensing, telecommunications equipment and to produce electricity for commercial and residential panel systems. The History The development of the solar energy began more than a century ago. During the early days, solar power was used mainly to produce steam for drive machinery. Heat and Solar Energy Solar heating systems incorporate several principles on the conversion of solar energy into solar thermal energy, as well as the physical behavior of heat. The primary principle that people need to know more about include solar home heating, which involves getting solar energy and transforming it into heat. Scientists during the 18th century were able to discover that covering a box with a glass top while heating it would actually get the water to reach boiling temperature. But it wasn t until someone tried to separate the solar heat collector with the water tank that the first prototype for solar hot water heaters was created. The main reason for this is probably due to the fact that its main source of energy, which is the sun, is able to provide over 10,000 times more than the energy that our planet is able to produce. This helps show people that solar energy is one of the best alternative energy sources for the future. However, don t simply take my word for it. You can get the power you need day in and day out. Solar power is a renewable resource which means that you do not have to pay any bill or keep replacing parts to get the results that you need. The disadvantage in terms of availability is that you cannot access the energy if there is no sunlight. You cannot rely on solar power at night or in places that tend to be very cloudy for several months. Vertical arrays can be in the form of integrated sails or free standing to get the wind energy. Adjustable solar arrays can be tilted around the travel axis to boost power when the sun is low and to the side. Integrated arrays cover the whole surface of the car with solar cells. Remote array is done by mounting the solar array at a stationary region aside from the vehicle.