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Solar Energy
Solar Power Basics
So exactly what is Solar Energy?
We are encompassed by the sun's extensive power and influence everyday to such an extent many of us don't even realize how reliant we are on it's force. Basically everyone and everything on this earth are completely dependant on the two types of energy that the sun emits. The first type of energy is thermal energy. It manifests itself in the warmth we feel on sunny days and this form of energy is typically used for heating substances (air or water), for operations such as pool heating, space heating and water heating for both residental and commercial facilities. The second type of energy received from the sun is energy in the form of light. Harnessing sun light is the most well known form of solar energy and it is accomplished by using Photovoltiac ( photo = light and voltiac = energy) modules or 'Solar Panels'.
Where can I find Solar Energy?
1. Thermal Energy
The thermal energy of the sun touches every corner of the earth. It's intensity is based on geographic location and season of the year. Infact, in some areas of the world, the focus isn't on finding the sun's thermal energy, but on escaping it.
2. Light Energy
From the moment that dawn breaks in the morning until sunset at night, the sun provides us with a steady source of light to go about our activities. Not only does this solar light illuminate the world, but there are also means to convert that steady supply of light energy into electricy. Solar radiation (energy transfer) does not occur at the same rate over the whole face of the earth, which causes some areas to receive more intense amounts of light energy and other areas less. If an area is high in solar radiation, it is able to collect and convert more energy into electricity. You can click on the leads below to view a map of solar radiation in your area.
USA
Canada
Europe
Africa
How do I capture Solar Energy?
1. Thermal Energy
There are a wide array of products on the market that utilize thermal energy. The products most often used are called solar thermal collectors and can be mounted on the roof of a building or in some other sunny location. By far, the most common (and one of the most cost-effective) solar thermal collectors is a solar water heater.
A solar water heater system is usually comprised of three parts; a storage tank, a 'working' fluid system and solar collectors. The working fluid flows through the solar collector (either actively pumped or set up in a way that it can passively flow) in which it collects the thermal energy and carries it back into the water storage tank. In some cases the working fluid is the actual hot water from the tank, but more often it is an independent loop (of either water or water and anti-freeze) that collects the heat and carries to it a heat exchanger inside the storage tank. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the working fluid into the water within the storage tank and the hot water is ready for use when needed.
2. Light Energy
Capturing light energy from the sun can vary depending on whether you goal is to capture light or create electricity. If light is the goal, then skylights or light-pipes are a popular method. Skylights allow the sun's light to enter through specialized windows (typically located in the roof) providing natural lighting to a building. One strong consideration that needs to be taken into account when considering skylights is the amount of thermal or heat enery that may be lost due to the skylight.
Another popular alternative in capturing natural light are light-pipes. A Light-pipe is a round tube lined with extremely reflective materials that guides the light rays from an entrance point (the roof or an outer wall) into the building. A collector at the entrance point directs as much sunlight as possible down the tube and a diffuser spreads the natural light through-out the inner room. Light-pipes minimize the heat energy lost and are also extremely flexiable in design and implementation, allowing them to extend past an attic or twist and turn around other obstructions that may be in the way.
Light Tube (Wikipedia Image)
By far, the main-stay of the solar energy industry is solar panels or Photovoltaic (PV) technology. Solar cells, usually made from silicon, are electrically connected together and marketed as photovoltaic modules or 'solar panels'.
Solar cells require protection from the environment and are usually covered by a glass sheet. One solar panel is able to power a road-side emergency phone, but in order to power a home or building an 'array' ( multiple solar panels connected together) is typically required.
The basic science behind solar energy is that photons from the sunlight knock the electrons, within the silicon solar cell, into a higher state of energy, therefore, creating electricity. The electricity created by a solar panel can be used immediately to power a building, or it can be stored in a battery for later use. Solar panels are very versatile and can be mounted in a variety of sizes and applications. PV technology is currently being integrated into building materials such as PV shingles and opaque glass PV facades.
How would I benefit from Solar Energy?
Monetary Savings
-Photovoltaic technology and passive solar strategies have begun to be designed into factory-built modular homes. One such case is a factory-built solar home in Massachusetts that was built for $35,000 less than it costs to build a conventional custom home and the homeowners pay a total of $100 for heating, cooling and electricity per year.
-Solar water heaters offer the largest potential savings, with owners saving as much as 50% to 85% annually on their utility bills over the cost of electric water heating.
Cost Independance
-Solar energy is free, relatively unlimited and is accessible world-wide allowing you the ability to reduce your dependence on limited energy resources and sky-rocketing prices.
Investment Payback
-You can expect a simple payback of 4 to 8 years on a well-designed and properly installed solar water heater. (Simple payback is the length of time required to recover your investment through reduced or avoided energy costs.)
-Solar pool heating payback can be as low as two years and it can extend the swimming season by several weeks without additional cost.
Remote Electricity Generation
-If you are far away from existing grid lines, generating your own electricity will help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines brought in.
Eco-friendly
-When a solar water heater replaces an electric water heater, the electricity displaced over 20 years represents more than 50 tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions alone.
Ready to post your solar power project and chat with the pro's?
Resources
www.solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html
www.eere.energy.gov
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_tube
www.solardev.com/SEIA-sunshinehomes.php
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