The sun has a surface temperature o

The sun has a surface temperature of 6000°C, maintained by continuous nuclear fusion reactions between hydrogen atoms within its interior. These nuclear reactions will gradually convert all of the hydrogen into heavier elements, but this is a relatively slow process and the sun should continue to supply power for another 5 billion years.※ A continuous and virtually inexhaustible flow of power amounting to 10,000 times our current rate of consumption of conventional fuels is available in principle to human civilisation.※ Solar power can also be harnessed by using solar collectors to produce hot water for washing or space heating in buildings.