The Numerous Faces of Solar Power
Active solar technology is the one that many people might be familiar with. It includes having a photovoltaic panel that collects the sun's energy and converts it into electricity. These have a battery where energy is stored, so electrical energy can still be used at night, and, to a specific extent, on cloudy days. Photovoltaic panel are an exceptional way to make electricity, particularly in remote areas. While they are reasonably pricey to set up, and do need some maintenance, they supply dependable and totally Home page free electrical energy, even in environments far less sunny than Nevada's.
Passive solar technologies are far older than active ones, and include using the natural heat and light the sun produces, without converting 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 warmth? They have spent the day passively gathering solar power, and are launching it. Some products are better at soaking up and storing that heat energy than others. For instance, wood insulates, indicating it will block temperature levels, whereas stone will soak up and release temperatures. Homes that are built to make the most of passive solar are frequently constructed of brick, adobe or concrete. Cob is another passive-solar-friendly and ancient building material 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 element of passive solar. Second, they allow heat to come into the home. If the home has a stone tile flooring and even walls, that tile will soak up the heat, releasing it later on when the outdoors temperature level drops.
Passive solar homes can be developed to be cool in summer season while utilizing the sun to warm them in winter season. For example, if shutters are closed during summer months, the home will stay much cooler. Also, the height and angle of overhang can be considered to maximize the windows direct exposure to low winter sun, however minimize direct exposure to the high summertime sun. Additionally, I saw an intriguing example of someone planting deciduous trees on the south side of their home. In the winter, the trees had no leaves and so allow a great deal of light and heat. In the summer season, their thick greenery provided shade that kept your home cool.
So that is the major distinction between active and passive solar technologies. Since passive solar is essentially totally free, it would be sensible for any designer or home designer to take it into consideration when building new homes. Well developed passive solar homes can considerably minimize their electrical energy needs. And while active solar is dazzling innovation, it still takes numerous resources to create. Plus, it might be superfluous in an area with an existing electrical source.
As for thermal water heating, it too is an extremely simple principle. Home made thermal water heaters can be as simple as an outside water tank painted black, but that's a little crude for most tastes. Nevertheless, there are a variety of designs out there. Some have panels that are metal painted black and enclosed with glass, with copper pipelines filled with water running through them. This water will heat, and is then pressed by gravity into an insulated tank. Some solar hot water heater use a similar set-up but with tubes filled with anti-freeze that are then attached to a heat transfer loop, where water in a storage tank is warmed. Whatever system you use, thermal water heating is remarkably affective.
There are a great deal of ways to take advantage of the sun and utilize less electrical energy. Have a look at next year's National Solar Trip to see them on your own.