Solar Energy
We can capture the sun's rays (radiation) and change them into useful energy. This is called solar energy. Sometimes this involves technology; sometimes not. For example, we can heat our homes (passively) by designing them in a way that does not use technology. Or, we can create warmth (actively) by using the sun and mechanical or electrical aids such as pumps, fans or electrical controls to move collected solar heat around. Also, we can convert the sun's radiation into electricity and store it in batteries. This makes it possible to use solar energy when the sun is not shining.
There are two types of solar energy - passive and active.
Passive Solar Design: This involves the design of the windows, walls, and floors so that they have the ability to collect, store, and distribute solar energy. They should heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. You can design these elements in a new home or adapt the windows, walls, and floors in an existing home.
In the future, it may be very common for people to think about the protection of their solar access. Zoning boards that today develop codes for buildings may soon write guidelines for communities to assure that everyone's right to natural sunlight is considered. Excessive shading in landscape designs, for example, may not be desirable. Solar energy systems--especially passive solar heating designs--depend on as much unobstructed sun light as possible. You will need to plan the rooftops, walls, and placement of your home or building with solar access in mind.
Active Solar Heating: In the future, when someone asks you what type of heating you have in your house, you may answer--if you have an active solar heating system--that you have either a solar air heating scheme or solar liquid heating plan.
The active solar heating system may be supplemented by a forced air system. The U.S. Dept. of Energy suggests designing an active system to provide 40-80% of the home's heating needs. It is generally not economically feasible to provide 100% of a home's heating or cooling needs through a solar system. Forty percent of a home's energy budget is consumed by heating and cooling systems. Of course, you can supplement a passive solar home design with an active solar heating plan.
It is important to insulate (caulk and seal) your home or building well, so that the comfortable temperature you achieve with your alternative energy system can be maintained.
Both a solar air or solar liquid heating system involve a collector or device in which the air or liquid is heated by the sun. The heat collected must then be transferred into the interior space or to a storage system and distributed. Controls for solar heating systems are available. You must comply with local zoning and building codes when you install a solar heating system. A relatively new challenge is finding an experienced contractor who is familiar with your system.
The amount of solar radiation that is available for capture at any location is a function of where that location is on this earth, time of day, time of year, local landscape, and weather. To illustrate this, think about your ability to get a tan if you live on the north or south pole. Because the earth is round, the poles never get a high sun and you will never get a great tan. A high sun directly overhead puts out the most energy possible. Slanted rays don't put out as much radiation as those directly overhead. A cloudy day and shady trees in your locale also affect the sunlight available.
To make matters even more complicated, the solar resource available at the same spot varies from hour to hour, and from day to day, depending on the length of the day and the rotation of the earth. You can catch a sunbeam in your hand--but it won't be exactly like the others before it or after it. But, experts can measure the total radiation on a surface to help you decide how much solar energy you can expect to capture in your region at different times of the year.
It is more and more possible to use a small electric system to produce electricity for your home or office, and it will be dependable, as well as good for the environment. These systems use photovoltaic technologies. Photovoltaic systems are solar systems that produce electricity directly from sunlight. These systems use photovoltaic cells, PV cells, or solar cells.
PV cells are thin squares or discs that contain slices of silicon, the second most common substance on earth. The silicon is heated to extreme temperatures. It is usually coated with chemicals. Exposing the modified silicon to sunlight creates disorder within the photovoltaic cell and electrons are freed up to follow a wire and power a motor, typically. Scientists currently are developing less expensive and even thinner plastic solar cells. They will be able to paint these cells on surfaces, like a handbag. You will be able to walk around and charge your cell phone. In the future you will be able to coat your tent with plastic solar cells and get electricity from it for camping.
A solar panel or module is comprised of a number of solar cells. It takes a large number of solar cells to generate enough electric power to fuel a city or even a home. To provide 300 kWh to take care of even an energy-efficient home's electrical needs, you will need 240 square feet of solar panels. The best locale for PV systems in the U.S. is the southwestern region, which gets more of the sun's radiation than any other region. Adding batteries to a PV system allows electricity to be stored for nighttime use.
The ..... has more information on solar generators.
Solar water heaters are an efficient alternative energy system. They can be used in any climate. How do you heat water using solar energy? A solar water heating system is either active, which includes circulating pumps and controls, or passive, which does not include these things. But, they both include storage tanks and solar collectors. A solar collector is placed in direct sunlight. The solar collector warms a heat transfer fluid, which, in turn, heats the water in your hot water tank.
There are three types of solar collectors for residential use: *A flat plate collector. This type of collector has a dark absorber plate under a glass or plastic cover (glazed). An unglazed flat-plate collector does not have a glass or plastic cover. *Integral collector-storage system. Known as an ICS or batch system, it passes cold water through a solar collector, which is an insulated, glazed box. In the box, the water is preheated. The water continues on to the conventional back-up water heater. (Back-up water heaters are usually required with a solar water heating plan.) *Evacuated-tube solar collector. In this scheme, glass tubes stand in parallel rows. Each tube is made up of a glass outer tube as well as a metal absorber tube.
If you plan to install a solar water heater, evaluate your site's solar resource, determine the correct system size and energy efficiency, and be aware of any local regulations you must comply with. An unglazed flat-plate collector is best used to heat a swimming pool. Use a qualified, solar thermal systems contractor for installation and maintenance.
The ....... Has more information on heating water in your home with solar energy
Daylighting. If you thought daylight only referred to the sun's radiation between dawn and dusk, you can now expand your thinking. "Daylighting" in solar energy terms is the use of windows and skylights to bring sunlight into your home. Daylighting is a strategy for energy savings especially if you have incorporated its principles into your "whole-house design." If you are planning your house from scratch remember to emphasize south-facing windows. They are best suited for moderating seasonal temperatures. Also desirable are north-facing windows. Winter sunlight gets into the house through them, but summer heat gain is minimal.
Outdoor solar lighting. Outdoor solar lighting systems convert the sun's radiation into electricity with solar cells and store the electricity in batteries for use at night. The solar cells need to receive the manufacturer's recommended number of daily hours of sun. If you place outdoor lights where they receive less sunlight than the solar cells need, you will have fewer hours of operation per night than expected.
Outdoor solar lights are easy to install, almost maintenance free and they provide free electricity. Outdoor solar lights can work almost everywhere.
The ...... has more information on lighting your home with solar energy
Solar cookers are remarkably effective. Usually they are box cookers. They can be made out of cardboard and insulated with crumpled up newspaper. They should be painted black on the inside and covered with glass or plastic. Sunlight enters the box and heats the food inside. Reflectors made out of aluminum can be added to increase the solar energy captured. The cooker can reach temperatures of 250 degrees F. Higher quality cookers can reach temperatures of up to 425 degrees F.
The ...... has more information on cooking with solar cookers.
Types of Solar Energy
There are two types of solar energy - passive and active.
Passive Solar Design: This involves the design of the windows, walls, and floors so that they have the ability to collect, store, and distribute solar energy. They should heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. You can design these elements in a new home or adapt the windows, walls, and floors in an existing home.
In the future, it may be very common for people to think about the protection of their solar access. Zoning boards that today develop codes for buildings may soon write guidelines for communities to assure that everyone's right to natural sunlight is considered. Excessive shading in landscape designs, for example, may not be desirable. Solar energy systems--especially passive solar heating designs--depend on as much unobstructed sun light as possible. You will need to plan the rooftops, walls, and placement of your home or building with solar access in mind.
Active Solar Heating: In the future, when someone asks you what type of heating you have in your house, you may answer--if you have an active solar heating system--that you have either a solar air heating scheme or solar liquid heating plan.
The active solar heating system may be supplemented by a forced air system. The U.S. Dept. of Energy suggests designing an active system to provide 40-80% of the home's heating needs. It is generally not economically feasible to provide 100% of a home's heating or cooling needs through a solar system. Forty percent of a home's energy budget is consumed by heating and cooling systems. Of course, you can supplement a passive solar home design with an active solar heating plan.
It is important to insulate (caulk and seal) your home or building well, so that the comfortable temperature you achieve with your alternative energy system can be maintained.
Both a solar air or solar liquid heating system involve a collector or device in which the air or liquid is heated by the sun. The heat collected must then be transferred into the interior space or to a storage system and distributed. Controls for solar heating systems are available. You must comply with local zoning and building codes when you install a solar heating system. A relatively new challenge is finding an experienced contractor who is familiar with your system.
Conditions Affecting the Capture of the Sun's Radiation
The amount of solar radiation that is available for capture at any location is a function of where that location is on this earth, time of day, time of year, local landscape, and weather. To illustrate this, think about your ability to get a tan if you live on the north or south pole. Because the earth is round, the poles never get a high sun and you will never get a great tan. A high sun directly overhead puts out the most energy possible. Slanted rays don't put out as much radiation as those directly overhead. A cloudy day and shady trees in your locale also affect the sunlight available.
To make matters even more complicated, the solar resource available at the same spot varies from hour to hour, and from day to day, depending on the length of the day and the rotation of the earth. You can catch a sunbeam in your hand--but it won't be exactly like the others before it or after it. But, experts can measure the total radiation on a surface to help you decide how much solar energy you can expect to capture in your region at different times of the year.
Common Sense Ways You Can Use Solar Energy
There are several common sense ways you can use solar energy in your home and business. Some of the more common applications include generating your own electricity, heating water for home or pool, lighting your home, cooking and heating. Your geographical location will determine which applications will work best for you.Generating Your Own Electricity
It is more and more possible to use a small electric system to produce electricity for your home or office, and it will be dependable, as well as good for the environment. These systems use photovoltaic technologies. Photovoltaic systems are solar systems that produce electricity directly from sunlight. These systems use photovoltaic cells, PV cells, or solar cells.
PV cells are thin squares or discs that contain slices of silicon, the second most common substance on earth. The silicon is heated to extreme temperatures. It is usually coated with chemicals. Exposing the modified silicon to sunlight creates disorder within the photovoltaic cell and electrons are freed up to follow a wire and power a motor, typically. Scientists currently are developing less expensive and even thinner plastic solar cells. They will be able to paint these cells on surfaces, like a handbag. You will be able to walk around and charge your cell phone. In the future you will be able to coat your tent with plastic solar cells and get electricity from it for camping.
A solar panel or module is comprised of a number of solar cells. It takes a large number of solar cells to generate enough electric power to fuel a city or even a home. To provide 300 kWh to take care of even an energy-efficient home's electrical needs, you will need 240 square feet of solar panels. The best locale for PV systems in the U.S. is the southwestern region, which gets more of the sun's radiation than any other region. Adding batteries to a PV system allows electricity to be stored for nighttime use.
The ..... has more information on solar generators.
Heating Water In Your Home
Solar water heaters are an efficient alternative energy system. They can be used in any climate. How do you heat water using solar energy? A solar water heating system is either active, which includes circulating pumps and controls, or passive, which does not include these things. But, they both include storage tanks and solar collectors. A solar collector is placed in direct sunlight. The solar collector warms a heat transfer fluid, which, in turn, heats the water in your hot water tank.
There are three types of solar collectors for residential use: *A flat plate collector. This type of collector has a dark absorber plate under a glass or plastic cover (glazed). An unglazed flat-plate collector does not have a glass or plastic cover. *Integral collector-storage system. Known as an ICS or batch system, it passes cold water through a solar collector, which is an insulated, glazed box. In the box, the water is preheated. The water continues on to the conventional back-up water heater. (Back-up water heaters are usually required with a solar water heating plan.) *Evacuated-tube solar collector. In this scheme, glass tubes stand in parallel rows. Each tube is made up of a glass outer tube as well as a metal absorber tube.
If you plan to install a solar water heater, evaluate your site's solar resource, determine the correct system size and energy efficiency, and be aware of any local regulations you must comply with. An unglazed flat-plate collector is best used to heat a swimming pool. Use a qualified, solar thermal systems contractor for installation and maintenance.
The ....... Has more information on heating water in your home with solar energy
Lighting Your Home and Outdoors
Daylighting. If you thought daylight only referred to the sun's radiation between dawn and dusk, you can now expand your thinking. "Daylighting" in solar energy terms is the use of windows and skylights to bring sunlight into your home. Daylighting is a strategy for energy savings especially if you have incorporated its principles into your "whole-house design." If you are planning your house from scratch remember to emphasize south-facing windows. They are best suited for moderating seasonal temperatures. Also desirable are north-facing windows. Winter sunlight gets into the house through them, but summer heat gain is minimal.
Outdoor solar lighting. Outdoor solar lighting systems convert the sun's radiation into electricity with solar cells and store the electricity in batteries for use at night. The solar cells need to receive the manufacturer's recommended number of daily hours of sun. If you place outdoor lights where they receive less sunlight than the solar cells need, you will have fewer hours of operation per night than expected.
Outdoor solar lights are easy to install, almost maintenance free and they provide free electricity. Outdoor solar lights can work almost everywhere.
The ...... has more information on lighting your home with solar energy
Cooking Your Food
Solar cookers are remarkably effective. Usually they are box cookers. They can be made out of cardboard and insulated with crumpled up newspaper. They should be painted black on the inside and covered with glass or plastic. Sunlight enters the box and heats the food inside. Reflectors made out of aluminum can be added to increase the solar energy captured. The cooker can reach temperatures of 250 degrees F. Higher quality cookers can reach temperatures of up to 425 degrees F.
The ...... has more information on cooking with solar cookers.
