Using Solar Energy In The Home
Phil Nichol
There is a common myth that solar heating is the primary use for solar energy in the home but in actual fact it's not always useful for this. In the winter, when you use your heating, the sun is lower in the sky and there are less hours of daylight. At other times of the year when solar energy would be more effective you're less likely to need it. Solar heating can supplement the other heating in your home but not take over totally from it.
The Technology behind Solar Energy
A number of technologies have been developed to make use of solar radiation. Some of these make direct use of solar energy for lighting and heating etc., while others produce electricity. They are:
1. Solar thermal energy collection systems generate electricity through mirrors and a system of tubes filled with fluid.
2. Solar thermal collectors which produce heat.
3. Photovoltaic panels which generate electricity directly from sunlight. However, they generate D.C. current, which has to be converted to A.C. if you want to use it in the home. This would requires a large surface areas to provide enough energy for a single home. This is why solar panels are rarely used for residential heating.
4. Solar hot water panels which heat water in the home.
The Efficiency of Solar Panels
Although solar panels are often used throughout the year they are only efficient in direct sunshine. In the shade or under cloudy conditions they produce very little power. It is the light that produces electricity not the heat which actually interferes with it. This means solar panels in very hot climates are less efficient than those in sunny but cold climates. If the panel's temperature is above 50 degree centigrade its productivity will decrease.
At different times during the day, as the sun's angle to the panel differs, the amount of energy produced varies. Most often it is better when the panel is sloped but on cloudy days horizontal mounted panels are more productive. The most energy is generated when the panel is pointed directly towards the sun.
The use of solar power tends to fall in and out of favor depending upon the potential savings when compared with other energy types. However, the equipment needed nowadays is 90% cheaper than it was thirty years ago and the technology has improved considerably. For example, homes with solar roof tiles can often produce more electricity than is needed. So overall costs are going down and consequently solar energy in the home is becoming more popular again.
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