Learn More About Solar Energy - Types of Solar Power and Applications

If you’re new to Solar Power and want to further your knowledge about the different technologies, then this is a good place to start.  The resources below should answer most of your solar questions as well as describe the common terminology. 
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Renewable Energy via Solar

What is solar energy? There are three primary types of renewable energy sources via solar; Photovoltaic (PV), Solar Thermal and Concentrated Solar.  Each has their benefits as well as applications, but only two of the technologies will be discussed since the third, Concentrated Solar has limited residential or small business use at this time.

What is Photovoltaic? Photovoltaic (PV) turns sunlight into electricity (DC) using either silicon or thin-film technology.  What are PV panels? There are several types of technologies/materials used in the internal cells within the panel.  Each cell consists of either monocrystaline, polycrystalline metallurgical grade or a hybrid of silicon materials.  With so many types of technologies/panels to choose from, guidance from a qualified solar installer is the best method of determining what technology will work best for your application.
In most cases the panels you see on a roof are PV panels set up to form what the industry terms as an “array”.  An “array” is two or more PV panels installed and wired together to produce the amount of electrical current needed to meet the required needs of the energy recipient.  Once the electricity is produced from the panels it then leaves and either feeds into an inverter which converts D/C electricity into A/C electricity or the electricity is used to charge batteries.  With so many options and technologies available, again working with a qualified solar installer will help determine what set up will work best for your application. 

Solar Thermal Systems are by far the most economical solar application of all Solar Energy systems, with relatively low initial start up costs as well as a relatively quick ROI, Solar Thermal systems are a great place to start.

What is Solar Thermal? Solar thermal system are similar to solar electric system but instead of converting sunlight in electricity, solar thermal systems capture sunlight to make use of its heat energy.  There are three types of solar thermal systems: (1) water heating systems, (2) space heating (or space cooling) systems, and (3) swimming pool heating systems.

Solar Hot Water Systems - Actives Systems and Passive Systems

Active systems are the more complex of the two, using electric pumps and valves, the system transfers heat by moving water around the system.  Due the complexity of the system, active systems offer greater performance as well as greater efficiencies over the long run, but due to their complexity active systems generally cost more when compared to passive systems. 

 

Adding to the complexity, active stems fall into two sub-categories: Open Loop and Closed Loop.

Open loop systems operate in a very simple manor.  As portable water passes through a solar collector it absorbs the heat and then travels to a hot water storage tank for household use.

A huge benefit to Active Systems is their ability to be in most cases retrofitted into an existing home hot water heating system.

Passive Systems also come in two categories, Integral Storage (ICS) and Thermosyphon.  Some of the advantages Passive Systems have to offer are their low maintenance requirements, ease of use as well as their ability to function without electricity.

Thermosyphon Systems have existed for many years and are commonly found in many Mediterranean countries. Thermosyphon Systems operate by natural convective circulation of water:  As water collects the hot water rises above cold water.  The hot water is separated and then collected in a tank for immediate use, while the cold water flows back down into the solar collector panel to be heated and re-circulated into the hot water tank.

Space Heating Systems:
A solar space-heating system can consist of a passive system, an active system, or a combination of both. Passive systems are typically less costly and less complex than active systems. However, when retrofitting a building, active systems might be the only option for obtaining solar energy.

Passive Solar Space Heating

Passive solar space heating takes advantage of warmth from the sun through design features, such as large south-facing windows, and materials in the floors or walls that absorb warmth during the day and release that warmth at night when it is needed most. A sunspace or greenhouse is a good example of a passive system for solar space heating.
Passive solar design systems usually have one of three designs:

 

The Direct Gain System is the simplest of the 3 and operates by storing and slowly releasing heat energy collected from the sun shining directly into the building and warming materials such as tile or concrete. Care must be taken to avoid overheating the space.

The Indirect Gain System (similar to direct gain) uses materials that hold, store, and release heat; the material is located between the sun and living space (typically the wall).

A Isolated Gain System collects solar energy remote from the location of the primary living area. For example, a sunroom attached to a house collects warmer air that flows naturally to the rest of the house.

Active Solar Space Heating

Active solar space-heating systems consist of collectors that collect and absorb solar radiation combined with electric fans or pumps to transfer and distribute the solar heat. Active systems also generally have an energy-storage system to provide heat when the sun is not shining. The two basic types of active solar space-heating systems use either liquid or air as the heat-transfer medium in their solar energy collectors.
Liquid-based systems heat water or an antifreeze solution in a hydronic collector. Air-based systems heat air in an air collector. Air-based solar heating systems usually employ an air-to-water heat exchanger to supply heat to the domestic hot water system, making the system useful in the summertime. Both of these systems collect and absorb solar radiation, then transfer the solar heat directly to the interior space or to a storage system, from which the heat is distributed. An auxiliary or backup system provides heat when storage is discharged. Liquid systems are more often used when storage is included.

 

Medium-temperature solar collectors are generally used for solar space heating. Solar space heating systems operate in much the same way as indirect solar water heating systems; they have a larger collector area, larger storage units, and more complex control systems. They are also usually configured to provide solar water heating and typically provide 30% to 70% of the residential heating, or combined heating and hot water, requirements. Active solar space-heating systems require more sophisticated design, installation, and maintenance techniques.

Space Cooling Systems:

Cooling and refrigeration can be accomplished using thermally activated cooling systems (TACS) driven by solar energy. These systems can provide year-round utilization of collected solar heat, thereby significantly increasing the cost effectiveness and energy contribution of solar installations. These systems are sized to provide 30% to 60% of building cooling requirements using solar, with the remainder usually dependent on TACS fueled by natural gas. The TACS available for solar-driven cooling include absorption systems and desiccant systems. Generally, solar cooling is not used because of the high initial costs of TACS and the solar fields needed to drive them.

 

POOL HEATING SYSTEMS:
Heating your pool with solar energy is really quite simple.  Cold water is pumped from your pool through a solar collector where it absorbs the heat collected from the sun. The warm water is then pumped back into your pool giving you the heated pool you’ve always wanted.