Solar plus storage: Solar batteries for home explained. The typical solar energy system includes solar panels, an inverter, equipment to mount the panels on your roof, and a performance monitoring system that tracks electricity production. The solar panels collect energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. Today we are discussing the top four types of solar that are widely used by Californians. Solar Electric Systems. Solar electric systems are by far the most common type of solar energy system installed in California.
Solar energy is a popular choice for a lot of consumers, businesses and organisations that are seeking to generate greener energy as well as save on their energy bills. Indeed, most of us are familiar with the look of photovoltaic panels and rightly perceive solar energy as energy which is generated by the sun rays that reach photovoltaic panels.
However, there is much more to solar energy both in terms of set-up as well as the types of solar energy. This article will shed some light on the different types of solar energy so that our readers can make better informed choices when choosing the kind of solar energy that they would like to see installed in their homes.
Solar energy technology is based on the ability to convert the sun’s light into usable energy. But it can do so in a variety of ways in order to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling to houses, buildings or even industrial complexes.
The most common types of solar energy
Photovoltaic systems
One of the most common ways to use solar power is to use photovoltaic systems or as they are also known solar cell systems, which produce electricity directly from sunlight.
The basic principle behind this technology is similar to what we see in clock or calculators that are powered by the sun!
The semiconductor materials used in these solar energy systems absorb sunlight which creates a reaction that generates electricity – to be exact, the solar energy knocks the electrons loose from their atoms which makes them flow through the semiconductor material and produce energy.
Today, solar panel technology can absorb and convert into energy most of the visible light spectrum and about half of the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrum [1].
Solar cells are typically combined into modules that hold about 40 cells and as a whole can measure up to several metres on the side. Because of their adjustable size and share, these flat-plate photovoltaic arrays can be mounted at a fixed angle facing south, or they can be mounted on a tracking device that follows the sun, allowing them to capture the most sunlight over the course of a day.
Several of these photovoltaic arrays would be needed to provide enough power for a household; but for a large electric utility or industrial applications, hundreds of arrays would be required and these would be interconnected to form a single, large photovoltaic system [2].
Thin film solar cells
What is more, this type of technology can also be run with thin film solar cells which use layers of semiconductor materials only a few micrometres thick. This has made it possible for solar cells to double as rooftop shingles, roof tiles, building facades, or the glazing for skylights or atria maximising use of the available space from where sunlight would be captured.
Interesting fact:
There have been major improvements in the efficiency of this technology particularly in terms of capturing and converting sunlight. For example, the first solar cells, built in the 1950s, had efficiencies of less than 4%. Today’s technology, on average, offers efficiencies of around 15% [2].
There have been major improvements in the efficiency of this technology particularly in terms of capturing and converting sunlight. For example, the first solar cells, built in the 1950s, had efficiencies of less than 4%. Today’s technology, on average, offers efficiencies of around 15% [2].
Solar water heating systems
A second type of solar energy is solar hot water which as the name suggests involves the heating up of water using the sun’s heat. The idea behind this comes straight from nature: the shallow water of a lake or the water on the shallow end of a beach is usually warmer compared to deeper water. This is because the sunlight can heat the bottom of the lake or seashore in the shallow areas, which in turn, heats the water.
So, a system has been developed to imitate this: solar water heating systems for buildings are made up of two parts, the solar collector and a storage tank.
The most common collector is called a flat-plate collector which is mounted on the roof and faces the sun. Small tubes run through the box and carry the fluid – either water or other fluid, such as an antifreeze solution – to be heated. As heat builds up in the collector, it heats the fluid passing through the tubes. The storage tank then holds the hot liquid.
Similar technology is often used to heat swimming pools [3].
Solar power plants
A third way we can harness the sun’s power for energy is solar electricity; this is usually used in industrial applications. As most of us know, most power plants use non-renewable fossil fuels to boil water.
The steam from the boiling water makes a large turbine rotate which in turn activates the generator to produce electricity [4]. This way of generating electricity is bad for both the environment and our health given the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from the burning of fossil fuels.
However, the good news is that a new generation of power plants is being introduced which rely on solar power! These plants use the sun as a heat source, and they can do so in three different ways:
However, the good news is that a new generation of power plants is being introduced which rely on solar power! These plants use the sun as a heat source, and they can do so in three different ways:
- Parabolic-trough systems capture the sun’s energy through long rectangular, curved mirrors that are tilted toward the sun. In this way, they help focus sunlight on a pipe that contains oil. The oil is heated and used then used to boil water in a conventional steam generator to produce electricity.
- A dish/engine system uses a mirrored dish resembling in shape a very large satellite dish which collects and concentrates the sun’s heat onto a receiver. This receiver absorbs the heat and transfers it to the fluid within an engine. The heat causes the fluid to expand against a piston or turbine and produces mechanical power. This power is used to run a generator or alternator to produce electricity.
- A power tower system uses a large field of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto the top of a tower, where a receiver containing molten salt sits. The salt’s heat is used to generate electricity through a conventional steam generator. Molten salt retains heat efficiently, so it can be stored for days before being converted into electricity. That means electricity can be produced on cloudy days or even several hours after sunset.
Passive solar heating
A further way that solar power can be harnessed is through the method of passive solar heating and daylighting. This is not a new concept – indeed, ancient civilisations such as the Anasazi Indians in Colorado had developed passive solar design in their dwelling [5].
The impact of the sun is easy to understand: step outside on a warm sunny day and you can feel the sun. With proper design, buildings can also “feel” the sun’s energy.
For example, south-facing windows will receive more sunlight while buildings can also incorporate materials such as sunlit floors and walls that absorb and store the sun’s heat.
These materials heat up during the day and slowly release the heat at night when heat is most needed. Other design features such as a sunspace, which resemble greenhouses, concentrate a lot of warmth which with the right ventilation can be used to heat an entire building [5]. Such features maximise the direct gains from the sun’s heat but also sunlight itself. The even better news is that on particularly hot days, there are ways to ensure these features do not overheat buildings.
The sun is truly fascinating, no wonder our world evolves around it!
[1] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech.html
[2] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarpv.html
[3] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarhotwater.html
[4] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarconcentrating.html
[5] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarpassive.html
[2] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarpv.html
[3] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarhotwater.html
[4] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarconcentrating.html
[5] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar-energy/tech/solarpassive.html
Carbon emissions are on the rise, and concerns about global warming permeate the public attention It is no wonder that legislation is leaning toward conservation. Businesses and individuals are seeking ways to cut their carbon footprint. There are many options to explore, and even more on the horizon. There are several different types of solar energy.
One area that has seen the greatest development in terms of consumer availability and affordable options is solar energy. This clean, green source of energy is not only abundant yet easy to harvest and convert to usable power.
There are different options for solar energy. You need to do some research to determine which ones are right for your home or business and your overall needs. This begins by understanding the different types of solar energy, how they are used, and the benefits you stand to gain. Here are a few things you need to know before upgrading to solar energy.
Photovoltaic Energy
This form of solar energy converts sunlight into electricity in a process known as the photovoltaic effect or the photoelectric effect. This is accomplished with solar panels designed to collect sunlight using semiconductor cells. When light particles, or photons, reach solar panels, they interact with the semiconductor elements within, exciting the electrons and displacing them.
This creates a direct current of electricity. An inverter then converts the direct current into an alternating current that is used in homes or businesses to power lighting, appliances, and other electronic devices.
Solar panel technology has advanced significantly over the past several decades. This is thanks to increasing awareness of environmental issues and subsequent consumer demand. This makes more durable and efficient products, even though prices have become more affordable.
Thanks to government energy initiatives, more homes and businesses than ever now enjoy solar energy. Power providers are working to increase the percentage of green energy they provide to customers.
Thermal Energy
These days the concept of converting sunlight to usable energy has become somewhat commonplace. This is thanks to advances in solar panel technology. The heat of the sun is harnessed, as well. In fact, it is actually more common worldwide to use the thermal energy produced by the sun than sunlight.
Thermal energy is most often collected by flat-plate solar collectors that absorb the heat of the sun via a dark metal plate. They transfer it to fluid in a storage tank via pumps or gravity, as part of a solar water heating system. This fluid heats water in the home.
Consequently, thermal energy converts to electricity. This is uses massive arrays of ground-mounted mirrors that collect and concentrate solar radiation. This converts it first to mechanical energy and then to electricity. This is not something the average homeowner or business can harness. It is most often undertaken by power companies. Mirror arrays in desert regions receive abundant sunlight year-round.
Solar Energy Applications
There is no end to the uses for eco-friendly solar energy. There certainly are some regions that receive more sunlight than others. Nearly anyone can draw energy from the sun to use at your home or business setting to reduce or even eliminate utility costs.
For example, some homeowners use thermal energy to heat their swimming pools during the summer months rather than watching their heating bills skyrocket. More complex versions of these solar water heating systems can provide hot water for use in the house or even for boilers connected to systems of radiant heating.
Solar panels are more often used for electricity since it is impractical for the average home or business owner to set up a mirror array. With enough solar panels, access to sunlight, and proper placement, the sun provides all the power needed for a structure year-round.
Sunlight is also used to brighten your home interior. This is not just by coming in through windows, but with fiber optic technology. Sunlight collects on the roof by lenses and then transferred through fiber optic cables to lighting fixtures in your home.
This means you can bring light to dim areas of the house, such as bathrooms, closets, hallways, attics, basements, and other areas without windows or any electrical draw. This technology is still rather pricey, though, so you might want to consider inexpensive solar tubes as an alternative.