The lots of faces of solar energy

The Numerous Faces of Solar Power

Living in Nevada, the sun is a practically continuous companion. This provides Nevadans an unique opportunity to use solar radiation powers for good. In April, a tour of southern Nevada fix-it right plumbing homes shed some light on the subject of solar powered homes. Hosted by the American Solar Energy Society, this Nevada branch of the National Solar Trip checked out homes that utilized both passive and active solar power, thermal warm water systems, and other environmentally features. Nevertheless, unless you're a green technologies professional, or took the trip, you may not understand the difference between passive and active solar, or how thermal hot water is various than average. Let me assist you understand!

Active solar technology is the one that most people may recognize with. It involves having a photovoltaic panel that collects the sun's energy and transforms it into electricity. These have a battery where energy is saved, so electrical energy can still be used at night, and, to a specific extent, on cloudy days. Photovoltaic panel are an exceptional method to make electricity, specifically in remote locations. While they are moderately pricey to establish, and do need some maintenance, they supply reputable and complimentary electricity, even in environments far less bright than Nevada's.

Passive solar technologies are far older than active ones, and include utilizing the natural heat and light the sun creates, without transforming it in any other method. Have you ever observed that after a long, hot day, south-facing rocks, pavement or brick and adobe structures will radiate heat? They have spent the day passively gathering solar energy, and are releasing it. Some products are better at absorbing and saving that heat than others. For instance, wood insulates, implying it will obstruct temperatures, whereas stone will take in and release temperatures. Homes that are built to benefit from passive solar are typically built of brick, adobe or concrete. Cob is another passive-solar-friendly and ancient structure product that is going through a revival of sorts. It is made from sand, clay and straw, similar ingredients as adobe, but adobe is baked into bricks and stacked, whereas cob structures are free-formed while the material is damp. Passive solar homes typically have a lot of windows lining their south walls, and less so their east and west walls, with little to no windows on the chillier north sides. These windows do 2 things. First, they offer natural light inside the home, one aspect of passive solar. Second, they enable heat to come into the home. If the home has a stone tile floor and even walls, that tile will take in the heat, releasing it later when the outdoors temperature drops.

Passive solar homes can be developed to be cool in summer while using the sun to warm them in winter. For example, if shutters are closed throughout summer season, the home will remain much cooler. Also, the height and angle of overhang can be considered to optimize the windows direct exposure to low winter sun, however reduce direct exposure to the high summer season sun. Additionally, I saw an interesting example of someone planting deciduous trees on the south side of their home. In the winter, the trees had no leaves therefore let in a great deal of light and heat. In the summer season, their thick greenery provided shade that kept the house cool.

So that is the major distinction in between active and passive solar innovations. Since passive solar is basically totally free, it would be smart for any architect or home designer to take it into factor to consider when building new homes. Well designed passive solar homes can significantly lower their electrical energy requirements. And while active solar is fantastic technology, it still takes lots of resources to create. Plus, it may be unnecessary in an area with an existing electrical source.

As for thermal water heating, it too is an extremely basic concept. Home made thermal water heaters can be as basic reliable plumber as an outside water tank painted black, but that's a little crude for a lot of tastes. However, there are a variety of designs out there. Some have panels that are metal painted black and confined with glass, with copper pipes filled with water running through them. This water will warm, and is then pushed by gravity into an insulated tank. Some solar hot water heater utilize a comparable set-up but with tubes filled with anti-freeze that are then connected to a heat transfer loop, where water in a storage tank is heated up. Whatever system you utilize, thermal water heating is remarkably affective.

There are a great deal of ways to take advantage of the sun and utilize less electricity. Have a look at next year's National Solar Trip to see them for yourself.