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Solar Energy
Methods of harnessing solar energy go back to ancient times. In fact, nearly all sources of energy available on Earth, with perhaps the exception of geothermal, are really secondary sources of solar energy. Wind power, hydro power, bio-fuels, and even fossil fuels indirectly capture, store, and concentrate the power of the sun.
Essentially, there are two major categories of technologies involved in making use of solar energy: Passive Solar and Active Solar. Passive solar involves appropriately orienting a building to the sun based on its geographical location and seasonal requirements, optimizing the location and size of building openings and solar screens to control heat gain and interior lighting, arranging spaces within the building both vertically and horizontally to enhance air circulation, and the utilization of materials to contain, store or restrict solar heat gain. Active Solar involves the use of devices to capture and concentrate the power of the Sun to either create electricity or develop a source of direct heat. These solar devices fall into three major areas. Photo voltaic devices, Solar Furnace/Generators, and Solar Collectors.
Photo Voltaic (PV)
Due to recent innovations in Photo Voltaic technology the economics of using PV panels for the generation of electricity has been well established both for commercial solar farms and individual home installations. However, that does not mean it is a good inverstment for everyone. There are a number of points which need to be considered. For example, does your existing electrical expense justify the significant investment that a PV system represents. Secondly, do you live in an area that has enough solar radiation to maintain a sufficently high degree of system efficency. A PV system also requires more than just the panels. Electricity developed with PV panels produce DC (Direct Current) and requires conversion to AC (Alternating Current) before connecting to the power grid or use by most home appliances.
Pros:
Solar Energy is clean, renewable and sustainable
No polution by-products
Produces electricity very quietly
Ideal for remote areas
Roof top installation can be a major advantage
Provides free electricity after recovery of initial investment
Avoids the use of fossil fuels
Can generate electricity during power outages
Financial incentives are available from the government
Cons:
- Initial cost of installation is high / Careful analysis of pay back period is essential
- Only generates electricity during daylight hours
- Solar panels require a large area to be effective
- Battery storage may need to be considered
- Weather can effect the efficiency
- Air pollution can effect the efficiency
- Maintenance cleaning is needed
Want to learn more about solar voltaics (PV):
Wikipedia / The Solar Cellhowstuffworks / How Solar Cells WorkSolarvoltaics Corporation:Solar (Thermal) Furnace/GeneratorS
Solar Furnace/Generators are not as common as PV and their ecoomics are less proven. They essentially operate at very high temperatures by focusing the radiant energy of the sun on to a collector which transfers the intense heat into a fluid medium at high pressure. The high pressure fluid is then used to power an electrical generator. In short, its a steam generator which uses the sun as a fuel source.
Pros:
- Solar Energy is clean, renewable and sustainable
- No polution by-products from the generation of energy
- Ideal for remote areas
- Can generate electricity during power outages
- Provides free energy after recovery of initial investment
- Avoids the use of fossil fuels
Cons:
- In the development stages for most applications
- Initial cost of installation is high / Careful analysis of pay back period is essential
- Only generates electricity during daylight hours
- Battery storage may need to be considered
- Weather can effect the efficiency
- Air pollution can effect the efficiency
- Maintenance cleaning is needed
- Financial incentives are not available from the government at this time
Want to learn more about solar furnace generators:
Wikipedia / The Solar Furnacehowstuffworks / How Solar Hot Water Systems WorkSolarvoltaics Corporation:eSolar / 5 MW Power Station in CaliforniaSolar Collectors
Solar Collectors are an economically proven method of preheating water in residential hot water systems by stepping up the tempurature of incoming water into the hot water heater/storage system. They are also invaluable in heating swiming pool water. There have also been some recent innovations by small inventor/manufacturers in solar thermal space heaters.
Pros:
- Solar Energy is clean, renewable and sustainable
- Initial cost of installation is not high
- No polution by-products
- Produces heat very quietly
- Ideal for remote areas
- Excellent for heating swiming pool water
- Roof top installation can be a major advantage
- Provides free source of heat after recovery of initial investment
- Avoids the use of fossil fuels
- Financial incentives are available from the government in certain applications
Cons:
- Only generates heat during daylight hours
- Additional hot water storage may need to be considered
- Weather can effect the efficiency
- Air pollution can effect the efficiency
- Maintenance cleaning is needed
Want to learn more about solar collectors):
Build it Solar / Tool Kithowstuffworks / How Solar Cells WorkAmeco / Solar Hot Water Heating Consumer Guide:
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Use a mounting rack to install solar voltaic panels on a roof. Never install panels directly to the roof surface. See our Planning Tools for more information.
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![Earth's Solar Absorption. Graphic is heavily inspired by the work of NASA and data in a different presentation (e.g. see [1]). Energy at the crossroads by Vaclav Smil, MIT Press 2003. This graphic by Frank van Mierlo. (P.D.)](files/Solar_Power/Solar_Absorption.jpg "Earth's Solar Absorption. Graphic is heavily inspired by the work of NASA and data in a different presentation (e.g. see [1]). Energy at the crossroads by Vaclav Smil, MIT Press 2003. This graphic by Frank van Mierlo. (P.D.)")
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this is a test for biofuels
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