The concept of climate change has become a real, present danger,
as evidenced by the major shifts in temperature and weather all over
our planet. Although it is too late to stop it now, it is possible to keep
things for getting worse. One major way to do this is to encourage the
uses of alternative energy sources, instead of using fossil
fuels to power our factories, cars and homes. These
non-renewable, dirty, expensive energy sources can be
replaced by other technologies, such as solar power.
Solar power is produced by using solar panels, which are
essentially conversion and storage devices for capturing solar
energy and turning it into usable electricity. Many people want
to do their part in saving the planet and saving themselves
money on their light bills, too, but they know little about this
important technology. Here are some key factors and concepts
involved in the usage of solar power and panels.
- Cost factors. The cost of a solar panel can vary widely; some people make their own, while others choose to buy pre-made panels and have them installed professionally. How much sunlight a panel can absorb, the efficiency at which it operates, etc., are all factors to consider when trying to save money and the environment. Here are some criteria that should be considered for cost-effective solar power:
- Level of Sunlight: Obviously, the amount of solar power you can use depends on the amount and intensity of sunlight available. If you live in a place that has low levels of sunlight year-round, such as the Pacific Northwest region of the US, you may only get direct, sustained sunlight for a few days per year. This would make installing solar panels not as cost-effective. In order to get the most out of solar panels in places with low sunlight levels, you have to install more panels, and they should be powerful ones with a large energy storage and conversion capacity.
- Size of Your Home: If you live in a smaller home with fewer rooms and appliances, you will find you get more use out of solar panels with a lower output level. Solar panels for a small to medium-sized home will cost anywhere between $500-$16,000, depending on the tech level of the panels. However, if your house is big, exceeding 5,000 square feet, you will have to shell out a significant sum of money, even if you opt for less-expensive solar panels.
- Government Grants: The governments of some cities and states offer grants or tax incentives for installing solar panels. Check into these resources to see if you are eligible and take advantage of them if you are.
- Technological Advances: Solar technology has become much more advanced over the last several years, in terms of overall cost and conversion/storage efficiency. There are also much wider arrays of choices in solar panel options, so you can use this buyer’s market to your advantage, to keep costs down.
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Panels
Since solar power is renewable, safe, and pure, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly energy sources. It is free, but the cost of the panels themselves can be prohibitive in the eyes of many. Here are some pros and cons of solar energy/panels, to help guide your decision-making process whether to go solar or not.
Pros:
- Solar energy is produced by the sun, which makes it “free”—the only cost is to collect and transform it into usable energy. Once you have the panels installed, they can be used indefinitely, and the energy produced is completely free.
- Solar panels require little maintenance once installed, and can work efficiently for years without needing updates or changes.
- Solar panels remain efficient, even long-term: most solar panels will still operate at p to 90% of their original output, even after 20 years!
- Requires no work on your part to manufacture power, no wasting money on electric bills
Cons:
- Large houses need lots of panels to manufacture enough energy to make them cost effective to install.
- Solar energy only is accessible during the day, meaning your panels must also be efficient for storing the energy as well as receiving and converting it.
- All panels will have to be replaced after about 20-30 years; if you installed a bunch of them all at once, they will have to be replaced the same way, which can get very expensive.
Reflect on these issues and determine whether solar panels are a good investment for your home and situation. Although they can be expensive to purchase and install, there are alternatives to pre-manufactured panels. Although they are expensive up-front, they can easily work off the cost of their purchase an installation over the years. Technology is improving every day, but you do have to have some up-front capital to get started going solar. Consider all the options and make the best decision.
Active solar systems are becoming much more common these days. It is no longer unusual to drive past a home or business and see solar panels sitting in the yard or on the roof. Many people are wondering whether these systems are right for their home or business. Here is what you need to know in order to make that decision.
One factor that is not as important as you might think is how much sunlight a home or business receives during the day. Solar systems can store excess power in cells that are essentially large batteries. These provide a continuing source of power at night or during periods of inclement weather. Although you do not need to worry as much about how much sunlight your home or business receives there are some factors that you need to consider.
Where you will position the solar panels
While you may not need to worry as much about how much sunlight your home receives you do need to think about where you will place the solar panels. They can be quite efficient at extracting solar energy but they are still quite large and need an unobstructed area where they will be exposed to sunlight. In many cases this means installing the panels on the roof of a structure. If you have no room for solar panels then this system is not right for you.
Heating water or powering a home
You need to think about whether or not you want your solar system to heat your home or provide a source of electricity. Active solar systems can do either of these things but are not able to do both. This is because there are two types of solar panels. One is a photovoltaic cell that produces an electrical charge. This is then stored in batteries. The other type of panel has tubes that travel through it. They heat up liquid that is in the tubes and which is then used to heat a home or business.
Solar energy can be a fantastic way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature or to reduce the amount of electricity that you must buy. With hot water systems there may still be a need to supplement a home’s hot water supply especially in times when there is a long stretch of cold, inclement weather. In the end, however, using solar power will drastically reduce the amount of energy your home or business uses on a daily basis.
Many people like the idea of using solar energy to help reduce their home’s energy use. They tend to focus more on active solar systems when they think about how solar energy can help them make their home more eco friendly. Regardless of whether they are used to power a home or to heat water for heating systems, solar energy tends to equal solar panels for many people.
There is another form of solar energy that you can use in your home. It is passive solar energy. Instead of using solar panels to harness the sun’s energy, passive solar systems allow the sun to heat a home and provide lighting. If you are interested in finding out more about passive solar systems here is what you need to know.
How to utilize passive solar energy
Utilizing passive solar energy is quite simple. All you need to do is to install windows that are south facing in your home. This will allow the maximum amount of light into your home and will also allow the solar energy to heat the interior of your home as well. This is the basic principal of passive solar energy. The key is to use energy efficient windows that will not let heated air escape as quickly from your home.
Changes to your home may be needed
Some changes to your home may be necessary and some may be expensive. If you have a home that does not face south you may need to see if any of your windows do. If not you have the choice of either installing windows in the southern walls or working with a different type of energy efficient heating system.
You may want to ensure that your home has a sufficient amount of insulation so that it can retain heat as efficiently as possible. By doing so you can ensure that you are using the least amount of energy possible to keep your home heated. You also may want to check out the pricing on solar hot water heating panels. These can be quite affordable especially if you use a panel that has been reconditioned or put together from other existing pieces of solar paneling.
Another alternative is to use a heat pump in order to warm your home. This draws some of the heat that is naturally present in the soil and uses it to heat a home. It can be used in conjunction with other heating systems in order to keep a home warm without a massive ecological cost.
The use of solar panels in homes and businesses has become more popular than ever. The price of solar panels is now at a level where many home and business owners are able to afford them. In order to understand solar energy and why it is so popular, here is what you need to know.
Types of solar panels
Many people do not realize that there are two main types of solar panels. Both use the energy that is generated by the sun but they each use it in a different way. Photovoltaic panels, for example, use solar radiation in order to generate an electrical charge. This charge is then either used immediately by the home or is used to charge a power cell. This power cell is, in essence, a large battery that is capable of holding energy to be used at a later date. Because stored energy is available around the clock, there is no interruption of power for the home or office. Even if the weather is overcast or stormy, power can still be available for use.
The other type of solar panel system is also gaining in popularity. These symptoms allow water or a coolant to pass through the panel. The water or coolant is heated. In the case of hot water, that is then stored in a hot water tank until it is needed. If the system uses coolant, it then transfers its heat to the water in the tank. That water can then be used as a hot water supply for a home or business or it can be used as part of a radiant heating system.
What to consider next
Now that you know more about each type of solar panel, you can now decide which is right for you. Newer systems use technology such as vacuum tubes in order to work more efficiently. Because of this fact, many people find that a solar panel system will work even in areas where the sunlight is not as strong.
Are there rebates and savings available?
You may also want to look at whether there are any savings or rebate programs that exist in your area. Some governments are offering rebates or awards to homeowners who choose green home heating or power options. You need to find out as many details as possible and learn which options will give you the largest returns possible.
How to get started
If you want to start the process of moving to solar panels, speaking with a company that offers these products is a good first step. They may ask you questions about your home and your lifestyle. They will then be able to give you more personalized advice about which system will suit your needs the best.
They will often have a range of green technology items that may further your monetary savings while reducing the impact you have on the environment.
When someone thinks about solar energy, it is usually an active solar system that they are thinking of. These systems use the solar panels that many people are familiar with and can supply either hot water or the energy needed to power a home. A passive solar system can also be used effectively in a home but may be much more subtle than you might realize it would be. Here is what you need to know about these systems and how they can be used in your home.
How passive solar energy works in a home
Passive solar systems are just that- passive. Instead of actively collecting solar radiation and then using it as a source of heat or electricity, they passively use the light from the sun in order to light and heat a home. Instead of installing expensive solar panels in areas surrounding a home, they use the position of a home as well specific types of windows in order to raise the temperature of a home’s interior.
How to take advantage of passive solar radiation
It can be much more difficult to retrofit a home to take advantage of passive solar radiation. This is because much of what makes these systems effective is the actual positioning and orientation of a home. A passive solar home must have a large number of its windows facing south in order to let in light and heat as efficiently as possible. If a home does not have its windows facing south, it is much more difficult to take advantage of the ambient solar radiation.
A home must also be equipped with windows that do not allow a massive amount of heat loss. The idea behind passive solar systems is that the sunlight will stream in through the windows, heat and illuminate the interior of the home, and retain the heat through the use of energy efficient windows and insulation.
The advantage of passive solar in your home
A passive solar system can be much more affordable than an active solar system to install. It may require the installation of updated windows and the addition of insulation but both of these things can be added quite affordably. It may also not generate electricity or hot water the way that an active solar system may but it can, over time, help to reduce heating and electrical bills.
A qualified expert can look at your home or ask questions that will tell whether it is suitable to use a passive system in your home.
If you live in an extreme climate, you may worry that it will not be possible to heat your home using solar energy. Some concerns that people have are the availability of sunlight when days are at their shortest, inclement weather, and extremely low temperatures which can make the drain on heating systems much more severe. It is possible to use conventional active solar heating systems as long as there is a back-up system in place but when that is not desirable, you may need to consider a high-efficiency solar system instead. Here is a look at these new, reliable high efficiency systems.
How high efficiency systems differ from conventional systems
High efficiency solar heating systems will often utilize evacuated tubes in their construction rather than a standard solar panel design. An evacuated tube has the following advantages over a traditional flat panel system:
- They can collect heat even when the outdoor temperature is extremely low
- Their shape makes it easier for them to collect heat throughout the day, reducing the need to store heat or use a back-up system
- They can reach a higher temperature than is possible with a traditional flat panel system
The heat from the evacuated tubes is transferred to the building’s hot water supply or heating system. This is then used throughout the home in order to provide heat and keep the home or office at a comfortable temperature.
If you are considering a high-efficiency solar heating system
If you are considering a high-efficiency solar heating system you may want to speak with a qualified and experienced installation expert. The systems are easy to install but you want to make sure that you are dealing with someone who is experienced with installing and maintaining these systems. They will determine which size of system will meet your needs and where the best area for installation would be. They can also educate you about the routine maintenance and checks that you will need to perform in order to make sure that your system is working at peak efficiency.
By choosing a solar-powered hot water system for your home you will be able to enjoy a constant and affordable supply of heat for your home or office. Even in a country or climate where other solar system may be unable to meet heating demands, the evacuated tube structure of a high efficiency solar system can ensure that you have the heat that you need no matter how cold it gets outside.
Thermomax systems, which are designed for extreme climates like Northern America,
are high efficiency equipment for efficient and economical conversion of solar
radiation into thermal energy.
The evacuated heat-pipe solar collector is the result of extensive research,
development and testing. This high performance, reliable and cost effective
solar modules use advanced technology and new materials.
Evacuated Tube Solar Collector of Thermomax offers the following features:
- High performance
- Low heat capacity and high heat transfer
- Heat flow only in one direction
- Control of maximum temperature
- High durability
- Freedom from corrosion problems
- Freedom from cold weather/frost problems
- Low maintenance effort
- Easy installation of single or multiple units
All solar collector systems have the sun as common energy source. Therefore, the performance depends on the conversion of the solar radiation into useful thermal energy and to transfer it to the hot water system. The global solar radiation varies considerably from region to region and day to day. On a clear summer day approximately 850 W/m² can be expected while on a cloudy day it can reduce to 400W/m² or less, which means if the system utilizing solar energy is not efficient enough the system would be useful for only very bright days.
Due to the very good insulation properties of the evacuated solar tubes Thermomax collectors can provide hot water any time when there is sun light available. Evacuated collectors supply heat at temperatures significantly higher than those achieved by flat plate collectors. This comparison is particularly relevant in cold, windy and cloudy climates.
The first step to enjoy your Thermomax over a long period of time is to design and specify the collector size and the associated components correctly. In order to be able to do it, you would need to consult experts.
After installation, the system may need some very small checks. They are:
Periodic Checks
- Ensure that no physical damage has occurred to the tubes and remove any debris that may have accumulated.
- Check the flow and return pipework between collector and storage tank.
- Check all connections for leaks and ensure all components are operating correctly.
- Check that the system pressure is maintained at the set value. If the system pressure repeatedly drops below the set pressure check the system for leaks.
Five Yearly Checks
- If using antifreeze/inhibitor, every five years the system should be completely drained and flushed then refilled with new antifreeze/inhibitor.
- Check all insulation of pipework and the condition of the sensors, especially the manifold sensor.
- Check the seals where the flow and return connections pass through the roof tiles.
As you see, a Thermomax solar panel is easy to maintain, efficient and cost effective way for your hot water needs.
If you want to benefit from Thermomax Solar Collectors and services we offer contact us here.
Solar water heating systems are becoming very popular to meet the water heating needs but there are some points to be paid attention to while chosing them. They are:
- Economics
Like all purchases, solar water heating systems require a good economic analysis. Solar water heaters may cost more than conventional water heating systems but they are generally more cost effective in the long run. The money you would save depends on your hot water needs, system efficiency, your solar resource and of course the costs for a conventional system. However, roughly speaking it can be said that a solar water heating system can save you 50% to 80% of your water heating bills. Besides, since sun is free you will not be affected by price increases due to fuel shortage. - Your solar resource
Since sun is the fuel for your new heating system, you may want to know how much you can find it. Before installing a solar water heating system, you first should know how much sun – free fuel- you have throughout the year. Slar water heaters can be used even when the weather is overcast. If your solar panels are installed in unshaded faces, you can consider it having good solar resource. - Sistem Size
Sizing a solar water heating system basically includes determining the total collector area and the storage volume. A god system would be able to meet 90% to100% of your hot water needs during the summer. Solar system contractors use worksheets and computer programs to help determine system requirements and collector sizing.Storage Volume again depends on your hot water needs. It is also related with the collector area so there will not be overheating or underheating. - Solar Water Heater Efficiency
For a solar water heating system, solar energy factor (SEF) is used to determine its energy efficiency. It is the energy delivered by the system divided by the electrical or gas energy put into the system. The higher the number, the more energy efficient. Solar energy factors range from 1.0 to 11. Systems with solar energy factors of 2 or 3 are the most common. - Annual Costs
Before deciding for a solar water heating system, it is possible to estimate annual operating costs and compare it with other ystems so you can calculate the payback period and decide for the best system. - Installation and Maintenance Costs
When comparing solar water heating systems, you should also consider installation and maintenance costs. Some systems might cost more to install and maintain. - Local regulations
While deciding you should first check f there are any local regulations or codes for installing a solar water heating system.
As you can see, there are many elements while deciding the best system for your hot water needs. While deciding for a relatively new technology, a solar water heater, you may need assistance from experts. If you want to learn more about our services you can contact us here.
Solar water heating systems are among the most popular solar technologies considered by
those planning to switch to “greener” technologies or want to reduce their heating bills by
making use of a free source.
Solar hot water systems differ hugely, depending basically to different climate demands:
some are specially designed for moderate and hot climates and others for colder climates.
Some of these systems use flat-plate collectors, while others use
evacuated-tubes collectors and batch collectors.
Flat-plate solar collectors
Flat-plate solar collectors are the most used type of solar panels today.
The most common flat-plate collectors use a kind of liquid (water, glycol) as the heating fluid.
They have a net of flow tubes (where the water or another heating fluid flows), a dark colour
absorber plate (to absorb the sunlight heat) and a glazing surface.
They also have an inlet and an outlet connection to connect the panel to the water system.
Air flat-plate collectors are less common than liquid collectors. They use air as the heating medium,
instead a fluid. Their absorber plates are often metal sheets or layers of screen.
Evacuated-tube solar collectors
Evacuated-tube solar collectors are made up of a set of parallel glass tubes (solar tubes).
They are the best collectors for cloudy and freezing climates and for applications demanding
high temperatures (evacuated-tube collectors provide temperatures between 75ºC and 175ºC).
Evacuated-tube collectors involve literally a visible set of parallel glass
tubes (solar tubes). “Evacuated” means a “vacuum” layer within the tubes, where it is also located
heat pipes to absorb solar energy and to transfer it to a liquid medium.
The vacuum allows very small heat losses and eliminates the impact of ambient temperatures,
making evacuated-tube technology particularly suitable for colder climates.
Some solar systems use pumps (active systems) to move the heating fluid while
others are based on gravity or natural convection (passive systems).
In some systems there is anti-freezing fluids (glycol, in colder climates),
while others use potable water at the collector level.
Closed-loop solar heating systems do not use water in the collectors.
Potable water is pumped to the storage tank but never into the solar collectors.
It’s the anti-freezing fluid (often a mixture of water and glycol) that circulates
in the solar collectors and through a coil pipe (in the storage tank) and the potable
water is heated in the tank. The anti-freezing supports extremely low temperatures
and protects the system from damages caused by severe cold weather.
Glycol should be checked each year and changed regularly every few
years (depending on temperatures and glycol quality).
Some systems use integrated tank (the batch solar system) and some use (the thermosyphon system) a storage tank on the top of the collector, while others use auxiliary and backup tanks and well separated storage tanks.
Batch systems do not involve pumps and do not demand a separated storage tank, or anti-freezing, heat exchanger, valves, sensors. A batch panel is typically very similar to a flat-plate collector, with a greater depth of at least 6 inches (15 cm). The water is heated directly in the collector (they are open-loop systems) and no pump is used to move the water (they are passive systems).
Their working principle is very basic: whenever the hot water needs to be stored in the batch system, the water pressure moves the hot water on the top of the batch tank (hot water rises naturally to the top of the batch tank).
Thermosyphon systems in their typical configuration do not have pumps and other controls. They are based on the natural convection principle: hot water rises and cold water sinks. In the case of thermosyphon systems: as the potable water (or a antifreeze fluid, in colder climates) enters the collector it warms and rises to the top of the collector and to the tank, where it is stored (that’s the reason why tanks are always above the collector).
Did you know that for regular household water heating costs are nearly one third of their fuel bills?
It is possible to cut this amount significantly using solar energy for heating water.
Solar water heaters work on the principle of absorbing the energy in sunlight through solar panels and use it to heat the water.
This hot water is then collected in a tank and used for your hot water needs.
Solar water heating systems vary depending on the technology, their location of installation
and means of circulating heat transfer fluid.
- Depending on the collector (panel) type they can be either flat-plate or evacuated tube collectors. Both systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. While flat-plate collectors are cheaper, evacuated tube collectors are more efficient. For this reason the choice would depend on your specific needs and budget. However, due to high efficiency of evacuated tube collectors the overall cost would be approximately the same.
- Collectors can be mounted on a roof and these are called on-roof systems.
Sometimes it is possible to embed the collectors in the roof and these systems are called in-roof.
Depending on space availability, some collectors are installed on the ground as standalone systems. - Regardless of the collector type or location, heat absorbed from the sun is transferred to the water to be heated by means of a heat transfer fluid. If this fluid is circulated by pumps these systems are called active systems and if pumps are not used for fluid circulation those are passive systems.
Depending on the season you can save up to 70% of your water heating costs and 30% of your overall heating costs by solar water heaters.
It is possible to get hot water even in winter because solar water heating systems don’t need direct sunlight. They are able to convert even indirect sunlight to heat. So you will have the comfort of plenty of hot water for a very little cost even when the weather is overcast.
There are other advantages associated with solar water heating systems. They are:
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Improved BER rating for your house, and increase in value of your house due to this
Quality is the most important point when choosing a solar water heater as they are intended for long-term use. What should be kept in mind while chosing a solar water heating system can be summarised as:
- It should be a system of recognised quality
- It should be a system designed by specialists so that your specific needs and conditions can be assesed in the best way
- Installation should be done by an expert installer with proper training and experience
