Solar Energy Systems and Its Many Applications
There are many
uses of solar energy systems from the residential
level to industrial applications. Solar energy
systems can be portable or they can be as
big as a parking lot. There are basically
just two kinds of solar energy: the solar
thermal energy and the solar photovoltaic
energy. Solar thermal energy collects the
sun’s heat while photovoltaic energy
converts the sun’s light to electricity.
These two types of solar energy systems can
be used in a variety of ways.
Some small and portable solar energy systems
use photovoltaic cells to power small items
like calculators, watches and garden lights.
These portable solar energy systems may also
be used to wirelessly power traffic signs
and security cameras and monitoring devices
in remote locations. Portable solar energy
systems can even charge gadgets like PDAs,
GPS systems, cell phones, and other small
items. These solar energy systems are about
the size of a small paperback and can be folded
away for travel.
For campers who really don’t want to
“get away from it all”, there
are many solar energy systems designed for
powering up TVs, air pumps, and other light
duty electrical appliances. These solar energy
systems weigh around 4 to 14 lbs and can cost
between $550 and $850. They can be used for
camping, in long distance travels, recreation
vehicles, boats, etc.
There are also solar energy systems that can
be installed to heat swimming pools. A pool
or bath tub can be heated by using a solar
collector with running water in direct circulation
systems. Heating an average pool for swimming
will use the same amount of energy needed
by most homes in a year! This is why many
solar energy systems for pool heating are
in great demand in the United States. Pool
heater solar energy systems pays for itself
in just a matter of weeks!
If a pool can be heated by solar energy systems,
then it can also heat a household’s
entire water tank. Solar energy systems for
water heating use glycol to heat water. Glycol
is a type of non-toxic antifreeze gel that
is piped through a solar collector plate where
it is heated and the heat transferred to any
water heater tank. Users of solar energy systems
do not even notice the difference between
a solar water heater and a conventional water
heater. More affordable solar energy systems
use regular water instead of glycol for heating
water.
Photovoltaic solar energy systems have also
been used in many parts of the world as an
extension of their regular power usage at
home. Government incentives have actually
helped make solar energy systems a more feasible
and practical solution to energy requirements.
Today, many photovoltaic manufacturers create
aesthetically pleasing solar energy systems
that integrate solar energy into the construction
of buildings and households.
Of course, if you really want to go off the
grid and make many environmentalists happy,
then you can opt to invest in a combination
of solar energy systems and combine it with
wind energy systems and other forms of renewable
energy. Homeowners living in sunny regions
can greatly benefit from solar energy systems.
While this may require extensive investments,
you will surely be contributing to the saving
of our environment.
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