Solar energy is a word tossed around a lot these days as an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. The truth is, just 0.01 per cent of the energy in the United States is generated by solar power. That's not a lot and it's not making much progress toward decreasing the US's reliance on fossil fuels. Consider this: if just a percentage of the world's global deserts were equipped with solar cells, the amount of solar energy generated could provide electricity for the world.

So the potential behind solar energy power is tremendous.

Below, you'll learn more about how solar energy became developed and how it can change the way we fuel the world.

The 1838 discovery that some materials could convert light to energy was interesting but this was not pursued. Forty-three years later, a motor that ran on solar energy was patented. This could have revolutionized the industrial world but as things happened, its threat to commerce cut the development of the invention short. The history of solar energy study and invention continued through the decades, but this renewable source of energy was not commercially tapped.

Now, the renewed interest in solar energy promises a better future for depleted natural resources but as of the present, solar energy still limps behind geothermal energy and wind power, hydroelectricity, and biomass. The potential of solar energy has yet to be explored further to make it cheaper for mass or industrial installation. Leading the way in solar energy around the world are the US, Japan, Germany, and Spain.

Here are just a few benefits to switching to solar power:

• Solar energy does not harm or pollute the air; it has the lowest level of carbon dioxide. In fact, the US Department of Energy reports that 16 million tons of chemical compounds are emitted into the atmosphere each day. This number will drastically reduce if solar energy is used.

• Solar energy can be used for various heating purposes on an industrial scale.

• Solar energy can supply power for all our domestic needs; cooking, heating, lighting, and entertainment.

• Solar energy makes economic sense at present

Although solar energy is still being explored for commercial and domestic purposes on a large scale, there is a growing demand for this natural commodity and supply cannot currently meet growing demand.

There are three basic types of solar power systems in current use - photovoltaic systems or PV, solar thermal systems for heating purposes, and solar thermal electrics systems for power generation. These systems capture and store the sun's radiant light and heat and transform the raw energy to electricity.

• The photovoltaic system differs from other solar technology by directly transforming sunlight instead of the sun's heat into electricity with the use of photovoltaic electric cells.

• Solar thermal system is defined in three temperature collectors - low, medium, and or high - flat absorber plates are used to harness solar energy. This is popularly used for heating systems.

• Power generation from solar thermal uses the same thermal technology but instead of transforming the sun's energy immediately to electricity, it is used to heat fluids to generate enough steam power to fuel electric producing engines.

To boost industrial use of solar power, the US government increased business tax credits by as much as 50% in 2007. In 2009, the Federal Government is offering tax credits of 30% of the product cost with no upper limit through 2016. A variety of other incentives from state and local governments may also be available. Even utility companies are offering a rebate.

If you have been wondering about solar energy for your home these government incentives may make it affordable.