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With fuel reserves running out at a rate faster than they are being used and new energy sources not being built fast enough to keep up with future demand it is only prudent that we use the abundant energy available for free from the sun – solar energy. Using solar energy helps greatly reduce environmental pollution. Many people resist installing solar power in their homes thinking them to be extremely expensive and cumbersome. The other problem is that we really do not understand the technology involved and are wary of change in the way that we generate our power requirements. You will, however, be surprised to know how easy it is to install and make use of these power solutions. In your own homes. The major benefit being that they will significantly reduce your power bills. You will also be secure in the knowledge that you are doing your part in saving energy resources and reducing the impact of pollution
for future generations.
Solar cooker: A solar cooker is a cooking device that uses only the power of the sun for cooking. You can easily cook food for up to five people in the small box like device. If you think using a solar cooker will reduce your choice of menu then think again you will be surprised to know that you can not only boil food but also roast and bake using only the sun's power ! The only downside with the solar cooker is the time it takes to cook. A small price to pay given the free source of energy it uses, and the reduction in ever growing bills.
Solar home lighting: Solar home lighting system converts solar energy into electrical energy for your home using photovoltaic cell's that are grouped together to increase efficiency and output. At night your house can still be illuminated because of the solar energy stored in the solar cells. If you install a solar home lighting system in your home you will never again worry about large electricity bills. Solar heating system: By Installing a solar hot water heating system in your home it will help cutting down your electricity bill as well as saving the world's depleting power and fuel resources. In the past some system's were quite bulky but thanks to improved technology companies providing solar power solutions for homes can now install aesthetically pleasing heating systems in your home. The other barrier to installing solar heating was the costs involved but now days investing in a solar heating system is a good move because you can get a return on your investment within three to four years.
Solar water heating systems are split into two groups: Active and passive. When the heating systems are active they rely on a pumping system or other mechanical device that can move the water between the flat plate collector and the storage tank. Active is the most common as it is quicker and more efficient. A passive system uses gravity to move the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. This can result in performance issues and can be slow at times resulting in a lack of hot water. Both systems are a logical consideration and it may be more of a choice of preference for you. Another detail that you need to consider is that if your flat plate collector and your storage tank are not at the correct angle it may be hard or near impossible for gravity to feed the liquid through.
Be hard or near impossible for gravity to feed the liquid through.
For more than twenty years, we have been hearing that one day we would be able to use power of the sun to generate free electric power for our homes. This is a great promise and could even become true some day, as the sun gives us more energy in a day than the world could use in 27 years! To begin with, we could use the sun's energy to light our homes, indoors and out, with no cost other than the charges for the equipment and its installation.
Let's see how we can convert solar power to create electricity for lighting products.
Photovoltaics – Converting Photons to Electrons
Through photovoltaics, which use of semi-conductors, we can convert sunlight into electricity. And electricity is all it takes to power our homes.
A photovoltaic cell is made of semi-conductor materials, such as silicon, that absorb a portion of the sunlight that comes across it. A number of photovoltaic cells are connected, in series or parallel, to form a solar panel. The solar energy produced by these solar panels depends on the number of individual cells in the panel and the way these cells are arranged. Cells in a panel are arranged in such a way as to produce voltages in increments of 12, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, 36 volts, etc.
The streams of energy particles from sunlight are called photons. Photons generate electricity as they hit the silicon atoms of the solar cells. Mirrored dishes and Fresnel lenses--which are concentric rings of segmental lenses--are used to concentrate photons on the photovoltaic cells and liberate the electrons on hitting the negatively charged plates. This flowing of electrons is an electric current, which can be drawn off for use in lighting.
The advantage of using photovoltaics to generate electricity is that it is non-polluting. It requires little or no maintenance, and since it doesn't have any moving parts, it's silent during operation.
For use of electricity at night to light up the homes, indoor and outdoor, photovoltaic power is stored in deep cycle batteries. Most photovoltaic systems are designed to supply electricity when required and have batteries to store electricity generated by the solar panels. To control their charge and limit their discharge, these batteries require electronic devices. As photovoltaics and batteries are DC devices, photovoltaic systems usually include AC /DC inverters. You receive AC power supply in standard voltages and frequencies for use at home.
After the initial cost of the equipment to generate electricity from solar power, you get to use free electricity to light up your home.