The truth about Solar Collectors
Posted by admin on Mar 10, 2011
The increasing use of renewable energy sources requires the use of devices that enables us to harness such energy. In the field of solar energy technology, the most important device needed is the solar collector.
Solar collectors are installations that trap solar radiation for human use. They come in two forms: one is designed to absorb solar energy and converts it directly into electrical power, while the other one transforms the solar radiation into usable heat. The latter is called a solar thermal collector. Two other categories for solar collectors also exist: concentrating and non-concentrating. The former focuses the sun’s rays into a single point to create huge amounts heat and power. In the latter, the collecting area is the same as the absorbing area, and the amount of energy gathered comes in even, steady amounts.
Those solar collectors designed for electrical generation are usually concentrating type collectors. Here, the panels are arranged in a parabola (curved or like a satellite dish) to gather huge quantities of radiation. The panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, that is they produce electrical current when they are exposed to the sun’s rays. These cells are made of silicon crystals. The electric power generated is then transmitted to the power grid to provide an ample supply of electricity to buildings or communities, or it is stored in batteries for future use. Another variation collects enough heat to boil water for turbines. These turbines spin generators which in turn produce electricity.
Solar thermal collectors are not necessarily used for generating electricity. Rather, they are used for heating water, swimming pools, and buildings during wintertime. The basic parts of a solar thermal collector are the absorber and the carrier medium. The absorber is usually made of dark materials like aluminum or nickel oxides, or metal plates. Its main purpose is to take in the heat from the sun’s rays. The carrier medium consists of fluids like water or air. Stored in tubes connected to the absorber, they carry the heat from the source to the places where it is needed, such as the water tanks or swimming pools. Solar thermal collectors come in two basic designs:
- Flat Plate Collectors – the absorber is kept in an insulated casing with a transparent cover. This employs the principle of the greenhouse effect. Very little of the absorbed heat escapes because the casing traps them inside the collector. Flat plate collectors are more commonly used by consumers and is efficient and cost effective to install.
- Evacuated Tube Collectors – the absorber strip is kept inside a glass vacuum tube which traps the heat. From there, a condenser connected to the collector accumulates the heat and passes it to the tube where the carrier medium flows. One advantage of this collector is that it can generate high heating temperatures at the smallest amount of sunlight possible.
The advantages of solar collectors is that they can provide heat and electricity cleanly and without pollution. Being renewable, they do not require the use of fossil fuels which may become exhausted in the near future. However, one disadvantage is that they require constant amounts of sunlight in order to work properly. Bad weather or night time can affect the supply of heat and power that you can have. To solve this, batteries and inverters that store heat and electricity are often designed into the collectors before installation.
Design and Uses of Solar Collectors
Posted by admin on Mar 3, 2011
The increasing use of renewable energy sources requires the use of devices that enables us to harness such energy. In the field of solar energy technology, the most important device needed is the solar collector.
Solar collectors are installations that trap solar radiation for human use. They come in two forms: one is designed to absorb solar energy and converts it directly into electrical power, while the other one transforms the solar radiation into usable heat. The latter is called a solar thermal collector. Two other categories for solar collectors also exist: concentrating and non-concentrating. The former focuses the sun’s rays into a single point to create huge amounts heat and power. In the latter, the collecting area is the same as the absorbing area, and the amount of energy gathered comes in even, steady amounts.
Those solar collectors designed for electrical generation are usually concentrating type collectors. Here, the panels are arranged in a parabola (curved or like a satellite dish) to gather huge quantities of radiation. The panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, that is they produce electrical current when they are exposed to the sun’s rays. These cells are made of silicon crystals. The electric power generated is then transmitted to the power grid to provide an ample supply of electricity to buildings or communities, or it is stored in batteries for future use. Another variation collects enough heat to boil water for turbines. These turbines spin generators which in turn produce electricity.
Solar thermal collectors are not necessarily used for generating electricity. Rather, they are used for heating water, swimming pools, and buildings during wintertime. The basic parts of a solar thermal collector are the absorber and the carrier medium. The absorber is usually made of dark materials like aluminum or nickel oxides, or metal plates. Its main purpose is to take in the heat from the sun’s rays. The carrier medium consists of fluids like water or air. Stored in tubes connected to the absorber, they carry the heat from the source to the places where it is needed, such as the water tanks or swimming pools. Solar thermal collectors come in two basic designs:
- Flat Plate Collectors – the absorber is kept in an insulated casing with a transparent cover. This employs the principle of the greenhouse effect. Very little of the absorbed heat escapes because the casing traps them inside the collector. Flat plate collectors are more commonly used by consumers and is efficient and cost effective to install.
- Evacuated Tube Collectors – the absorber strip is kept inside a glass vacuum tube which traps the heat. From there, a condenser connected to the collector accumulates the heat and passes it to the tube where the carrier medium flows. One advantage of this collector is that it can generate high heating temperatures at the smallest amount of sunlight possible.
The advantages of solar collectors is that they can provide heat and electricity cleanly and without pollution. Being renewable, they do not require the use of fossil fuels which may become exhausted in the near future. However, one disadvantage is that they require constant amounts of sunlight in order to work properly. Bad weather or night time can affect the supply of heat and power that you can have. To solve this, batteries and inverters that store heat and electricity are often designed into the collectors before installation.
GETTING TO KNOW THE PHOTOVOLTAIC GLASS BY CORNING
Posted by admin on Feb 24, 2011
The solar industry is increasing its worth as the pace in global awareness surfaces. With the help of well improved ideas and technological breakthroughs all over the globe, getting energy from the sun has become an easy access for everyone. As the conservation of energy progresses through the years, a few tools have been specifically improve to undermine the most terrible disease our planet is experiencing, global warming and climate change.
One of the most popular talks of the town in the solar industry is the improvement of generating energy from the sun through the use of the photovoltaic glass improvised by Corning. The photovoltaic glass is extraordinary glass element with contains integrated solar cells found in a common solar panel which can basically absorb and convert solar energy into electricity. This highly sophisticates the use of this simple tool as an architectural design in your modern home wherein it can be installed in roofs and façade areas that is enough to generate energy needed to power an entire building.
On condition to privacy & protection from noise and rain, other factors such as thermal insulation & shading are becoming progressively more important but is well sustained using this kind of panel. All of these tasks can be achieved plainly by installing Photovoltaic glass to the shell of a building. Using photovoltaic glass is not only economical, but it can highly save you from the pressure of putting up a solar panel.
Through an ongoing battle for excellence and innovation, Corning is looking forward to heighten its skill in multiple technologies to enhance and increase photovoltaic efficiency and reduce manufacturing cost.
The thin-film semiconductor materials applied in photovoltaics are most common to those used in the LCD business, an engineering that Corning is a mainly known in. Corning is walking around the possibility of replacing one of the PV module’s glass layers with a specialty thin glass designed to advance effectiveness while keeping up product strength and reliability.
Why Go Solar?
Posted by admin on Feb 23, 2011
Installing a solar energy system in your home or business is a great investment that not onlygets rid of the electric bills but helps the environment as well. In the past few years there has been a huge growth in the solar energy industry mostly because of the attention it has been getting as an alternate energy source. Though putting it up is relatively expensive and can seem a bit daunting, there are various grants, rebates, and incentives available to assist those who decide to go through with it. Besides, thanks to the increasing interest and demand for solar energy there has been a corresponding drop in the prices by almost half as seen in the past decade.
So, is solar energy a good choice for you?
If you have no problem with investing some time and money to have your energy needs met from an environment friendly and renewable source then it is definitely the one for you. There is no better time than now to start the move towards going solar. Concerns regarding the energy crisis, carbon footprints, and all the harmful by-products that non renewable energy sources give off are additional reasons to start giving solar energy some serious thought. Here are some things to consider when making the decision to go solar:
The cost of solar panels. There is no set price for a solar energy system. The cost would vary depending on the kind of panel you chose, how many you would need to install, and the installment fee if ever you decide to have a professional do it for you. The total amount of how much you spend would also depend if you have grants and rebates which reduces the cost.
Is your roof facing South? If you have a southern facing roof then chances are you would have the optimal use and access to the sun’s rays. But if you don’t, it may work just as well as long as there are no obstructions that might compromise absorption of the suns’ energy. Sometimes some adjustments to your roof are necessary to achieve this.
Your households’ total energy requirements.The easiest way to do this is to take a look at your monthly electric bills to know your home’s energy consumption. This is important because the number and type of panels that need to be installed would depend on how much energy the home uses.
Going solar is worth the effort for one to sit down and give it serious thought and consideration. We all need to do what we can to help reduce the strain on our environment and on our other resources. As time goes by and as people become more informed to the benefits of solar energy, more and more are starting to see it as a practical and clean way of meeting their energy needs. Remember that to make a change now is to make a change for the environment.
SOLAR ENERGY IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Posted by admin on Feb 22, 2011
Nonrenewable resources will soon deplete if we keep using them extravagantly and not wisely. Solar power has been increasingly used in various countries across the world. Various countries are increasingly making use of solar power across the globe.
India. It is believed that the geographical location of this country allows them to receive more than 4000 trillion kWh of pure solar energy every year. That is by far beyond their yearly power consumption and even that of the United State of America.
India is known to be densely populated and generating solar power can be a very challenging task. It has been proposed that by 2020, Thar Desert would be the perfect place to produce solar energy for as much as 700 to 2000 gigawatts of energy.
Solar energy has an enormous potential to help future generation of India; but the installation of solar energy systems is still an economical issue for many countries where fossil fuel energy provided most of the needed electricity.
Canada is not the first country that comes to mind when the issue of solar energy is still necessary. With it solar energy in this country has a huge potential to expand. That is why, more advancement in the utilization and development of solar energy systems are being in the open. Canada has a growing number of solar powered homes, cottages and businesses, as well as large infrastructure projects like municipal water supply, traffic lights and navigation beacons.
Although Canada’s position in relation to the sun is not as ideal as compared to India, Canadian summer months are also long and the sun is able to provide ample energy to run a household without making use of any nonrenewable energy. Winter is another issue with short days and longer cold nights. Angling the panels correctly and adding a few more to an array can help compensate for your household’s needed energy.
Japan is a resource-poor country. They are the fourth largest energy consumer in the world in spite of their population that accounts to about only 2% of world population. Japanese mainly used coal and oil that amounts to more than sixty percent of total energy usage in the country.
Currently, Japan uses renewable energy to no more than 1.5% of their total usage and consumption. Although the current use of renewable energy remains low, Japan intends to further accelerate the development of renewable energy in the coming years.
Israel has minimal to no natural energy resources. Almost all of the country’s electric power and fuel are derived from imported coal and oil. Presently, the electrical generating capacity of the country stands at about 6.5 GW, representing approximately 1 kW per capita. This value has increased in recent years as the need for electricity went up. In such a situation it is not surprising that Israel has pioneered the use of solar energy.
Current usages of solar energy in Israel are for Domestic Hot Water, Passive Solar Space Heating and Photovoltaic Rural Lighting.
Furthermore, Solar research and development is being carried out at a number of universities and research institutes throughout the country.
Germany has increased to almost 1 percent of its electricity from solar energy during the period from January to August. The first 1 percent took 10 years to reach and the next 1 percent took barely 8 months. At the end of 2007 Germany had an installed capacity of 3,830 MWp. By the end of 2009, the capacity had improved to 9,800 MWp. This country uses state-of-the-art thin film technology and they still spearhead the development of solar energy technology to replace nonrenewable sources of energy.
Solar Water Heaters and its Major Benefit
Posted by admin on Feb 18, 2011
Solar hot water systems are generally more expensive to buy and install than conventional systems for heating water. However, a solar water heater can often help you save money in the long run. On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%. Also, because the sun is free, you’re protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.
It is generally designed for use with an electric or gas back-up water heater as there are many common household appliances that are labeled as “major energy consumers.” Water heating by solar energy is not a new concept at all. There are many examples of solar rudimentary methods dating from the early 20th century. The black paint has helped to absorb solar energy, which was transferred to the water in the tank. Although these systems are inefficient, they were largely ineffective. Fortunately, modern technology has created many effective methods for use of sun for heating water.
Save money by using the sun to heat and preheat your water. By this, you can cut water heating bill in half. This means you can save up to almost $250 a year if you can combine the solar backup gas water heater instead of using the gas boiler alone. If you have an electric heater tank back-up, you save about $300 a year in electricity bills. Large families with multiple hot water needs can save even more.
On the other hand, there is even a better way to save money now. That is, by building your very own solar collector. You can build your own system for under $200 as compared to the ones available in the market. Building your solar water heater water can be a rewarding project while saving money at the same time. It is also a smart way to help our environment and is so easy to build, you can have it operational in a few days. Even if you live in a cold climate, solar water heater works for you. With this collector, you will notice a savings on your electricity bill first.
Help the environment. Water heated by the sun seems better. Although payback of purchasing of the said water heating system may take about 10 years, there are still federal tax credits to recover the money you have spent. For the time being, the investment pays for itself in the environment. Solar water heaters can reduce carbon dioxide emissions in half by not using nonrenewable energy sources to heat water. Installation of qualified solar water heater to reduce the load on your electric water heater is about 2500 kWh per year, thus preventing 4000 pounds of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere each year. Imagine how much you can help save the world we all live in.
Solar Energy: Means of helping you save up
Posted by admin on Feb 14, 2011
Beginning with the rise in coal use which accompanied the industrial revolution, the consumption of energy has been changed from wood and biomass for fossil fuels. But we are knowledgeable that, eventually, we will run out of fossil fuels as our source of energy. That is why, the rising cost of nonrenewable energy is high enough – as attested by the law of supply and demand.
The principles of solar power begin with the sun’s rays. Sunlight has been around a minimum that has provided tour planet with energy. In fact known are many ingenious ways developed for centuries to free associate of the power supplied by the sun.
Nowadays, a lot of agencies are positive that solar energy can be much cheaper than coal over the next 12 years. Along with the good performance of solar panels to becoming cheaper and more efficient, investors will get more excited about the possibilities for the latest technology – solar thermal heating process. eSolar Inc., a California-based company is trying to go forward in developing solar energy to replaces the fuel in a power plant heat produced from solar energy. The company’s advancement in this technology has great potential to produce utility-scale power cheaper than coal.
The best way to use solar energy is to use the sun as a heat source. Exactly in the same manner that travelers can use sunlight to heat and even cook meals, energy suppliers can heat liquid water, as by exposure to sunlight. That hot water as heated by the sun can be used to heat a building or to even heat a pool. This can also be used in the water into steam to produce steam, which can be used to generate electricity using turbine – the same technology used for producing nuclear energy, but with all the associated harmful byproducts.
Obviously, sun power is not foolproof. Although, the sun gives of unlimited sunshine everyday, some hindrances adds up to be a source of energy available as an option. Solar energy is affected through climate – you will generate less power on cloudy days or there is no solar power at night. These disadvantages usually challenge our developers of sun power to build up some means of coping up with them. The use of solar batteries to store excess energy generated during the day.
Although the cost of putting up a solar energy system into your home is much higher than coal, it is probably a reflection of the efficiency of solar energy. Sooner or later, the tables will turn – no more fossil fuels to power our homes and business establishments.
Solar Generator
Posted by admin on Feb 10, 2011
As there has been a global increase in the demand for energy and electricity so has the demand for more information and practical applications for solar energy generation. More and more people are making the move towards going solar and generate their own power to run their homes and businesses.
As people are becoming more aware and getting increasingly bothered with the energy crises, they have started looking for alternative sources of energy which can meet everyday needs and at the same time help the environment. The solar energy generator answers all of these problems. The sun would never go anywhere, not for a long time anyway, and the energy it provides is enough to power all our energy needs for an indefinite period of time.
The generator would allow homes and businesses to make use of the sun’s heat and convert it into electricity without releasing any harmful pollutants into the air. Unlike non-renewable sources of energy, it would never get depleted. The energy we can get from the sun is virtually inexhaustible. Though of course it does have certain disadvantages like:
- Installation and parts are expensive.
- The amount of power is limited to the amount of sunlight you get.
- Requires storage facilities when sunlight is inadequate.
- Not all households/businesses can be qualified for a solar energy generator.
Despite the disadvantages, solar energy generators are quickly becoming the economical and practical choice when viewed as a long term investment. We cannot deny the fact that we can’t rely on non-renewable sources of energy for very long, sooner or later we’d have to consider other alternatives. What better way than to start going solar and help the environment in the process. The government is also doing its part in encouraging more people to go solar. Tax rebates, incentives and grants are made available to financially assist those who qualify.
The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Solar energy generators might still seem daunting to some but with the right information one could see that it could actually be a good choice. It requires very little maintenance and its technology is still currently advancing making it more efficient and practical as time goes by. Asides from eliminating the monthly electric bills, solar energy generators can give great advantages not only to households and businesses but mostly to the environment.
HOW TO SELECT SOLAR PANELS INSTALLER
Posted by admin on Feb 4, 2011
If you are looking to save on energy bills, then you are probably thinking of solar panels for your property. Not long ago that solar panels on houses were primarily an experimental technique which was very expensive to have installed could only perform certain specific functions in and around the home. Today, many new homes are built with solar panels that are used for everything – from heating waters up to providing electricity.
In addition to installation factors, there is a growing number of suppliers of solar panels that are not certified and do not know well enough about the role of solar energy and their role as installers. It is imperative that from the first step of calling a certified solar energy specialist for advice up to the last step of having a certified solar energy contractor modify your home that you check credentials and licenses and make sure that they are aware of the latest technology regarding solar energy.
1. Make a list of preferred installers. Check if your contractor you want is licensed and skilled enough to be involved with your solar energy system planning to implementation phase. Not that you’re a hundred percent guaranteed for a successful installation, but approved contractors will help you do the job properly. A lot of states have grants program and tax incentives that are given to homeowners and business establishment owners for correctly setting up a solar energy system.
2. Ask for references and advices from people who were already able to install their solar energy system. In this way, you get to have positive and negative feedbacks to various installers, thus, helping you to choose the best installer in town.
3. NABCEP stands for North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. When choosing a solar installer with this certificate, they are considered to be of “gold standard” solar panels and solar thermal installers. Look for the professional certification as there are two certificates given. The other one is just the entry level where they are just on the process of being fully certified by the said board.
4. Go online. You can find a listing of national retailers available for installation in your area, as well as the local companies that can provide the service. Either way you’ll be able to find the company you need, on practically any budget.
5. Check the materials used, if they are really what you have to decide for. Other installers may be a mistake to use second home media materials. Just make sure. Other installers purchase and install the wrong materials and products that you have opted for.
6. Be open for rate comparison. You should always get the best quality service for the sum of money you are paying for.
Do not just think twice on whom you would choose to install your solar panels. The above listed are some of the tips you may want to consider before selecting your own installers. Hope you get the best quality service you may have!!
DEFEATING GLOBAL WARMING
Posted by admin on Feb 3, 2011
The climate change everyone is experiencing all over the globe has stirred much attention to environmental advocates that presently work in preserving our Natural resources that help diminish global warming effects. Informative documentaries have been aired in most major networks to help people be well aware of the drastic change that our home earth is experiencing. The main question goes as what can we do to help save our future?
Some islands are little by little disappearing because of warm ray that bounces back to the ice formations in Alaska increasing water levels. This may not be as alarming as it may sound, but in the future, we may only have a minimum number of lands to dock on. Now is the time to make a change.
Some ways in minimizing the effects of global warming are:
- Avoid leaving your TV or other electric appliances on standby. Turn off these appliances if not in use to help minimize the use of energy.
- Have a habit of cleaning your air-conditioner filter as often as possible. This will be a great help in reducing carbon-dioxide exhaust in the air.
- Change normal light bulbs with fluorescent lights as they make the most of less energy. They can save up to 50% of energy.
- Plant trees. A lone tree will take up one ton of carbon-dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also trim down your air-condition bill by 10 to 15%.
- Use fresh foods. Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to create.
- Drive only when needed. You can walk, cycle or take public transport. If you save fuel you can save energy.
- Make use of products that can be recycled. This way you can cut down on production & energy. Utilize reusable containers instead.
- Take bath with cold water or warm water whenever possible. Heating water takes too much of energy.
Maximizing solar energy into a more useful avenue would also make a big difference in the fight to minimize global warming. When you had a chance, never hesitate to help save your future. Who knows, your simple step can be a great leap for humanity.