Green energy is the newest movement in for home owners, and solar energy is one of the more popular options. Through the use of the various types of solar energy, homes and be heated and provided with electricity without causing any damage to the environment. For modern applications, solar energy can be used for several different reasons. Those are;
- Heating
- Cooling
- Water Heating
- Light
- Electricity Generation
Each of these, aside from generating electricity, comes in two distinct forms, active and passive. The difference is simple, active solar energy require extensive interference from technology in order to harness solar power, while passive gets solar energy without the use of any technology.
The sun has long been considered to be one of the greatest natural energy sources known to man. Now, through both careful planning and creative technology, you can harness solar energy to help deplete your need for the use of fossil fuels. Here is a breakdown of the different types of solar energy.
Heating
The sun naturally gives off the heat that makes this planet habitable, so why not use it to heat things like your home, office, or even your car. Both active and passive solar heating can easily be achieved. Passive solar heating is by far the better of the two options. It involve the use of large windows appropriately oriented to get maximum exposure to the sun. These large windows slightly focus the sun’s rays, slightly magnifying them, heating the inside of the structure. For those that live in the northern hemisphere, your large windows should face south. Those in the southern hemisphere, north. These windows should be double paned and appropriately size to maximize sun exposure. They should also not be blocked by vegetation or landscaping, providing them with a constant exposure to the sun.
There are two types of active solar heating (solar heating achieved through the use of technology). Those types are liquid or air based heating system. Liquid systems use the solar power to heat water, typically through tiles and boards on the roof, then store the hot water in a storage tank. This water is then either used to fuel a blower, distributing hot air through the home, or the hot water is run through the different structures of the home, like the floors and walls. Air systems heat air using solar power, then pump it through the home just like a furnace would.
Cooling
Passive solar cooling is much simpler than it sounds. It involves orienting the home so that it can naturally take advantage of things like wind flow, shade, and the sun’s natural arc. Consider it to be the opposite to passive solar heating, at least in theory. Setting up windows in your home to promote a good wind flow in your home will help keep it cool in summer, and having the appropriate windows size will help to reduce the amount of solar heat generated. Adequate ventilation will keep a nice breeze flowing in your home, keeping you cooler in the hotter months. You can also incorporate vegetation and other types of landscaping into passive cooling. A large shade tree will help keep the sun’s rays off your home, or planting a thick climbing vine, like ivy, can help to reduce the amount of heat your home takes on from the sun.
Active solar cooling comes in three majorly used forms. While many of these are not commonly used in the home quite yet, they have proven quite successful in larger buildings and office complexes. Solar absorption is an air conditioner fuels by heated liquids. When the liquids are heated by the sun’s energy, they separate from other substances, starting the air conditioner. A desiccant system works differently than your traditional air conditioner. If forces the air from a building though a filtering system that removes humidity from the air, making the building feel cooler. Then, solar energy is used to dry out the filtration system.
The final can be considered a form of active solar cooling, but it is more a form of electricity generation. It is included with active solar cooling because it makes perfect sense. Photovoltaic cooling uses solar panels to generate electricity for a standard air conditioner. Though there may be some conversion of power involved, a solar panel can more than adequately provide enough energy to to fuel a standard central air unit. Since you primarily run your air conditioner on those hot, and sunny, summer days, why not use it to your advantage. Setting up a system like this can save you a fortune on your summer heating bills.
Water Heating
We use a lot of water in our homes, but for cleaning and bathing purposes, we use mostly hot water. Unfortunately, passive solar energy will not heat water enough for common application in the home. Hot water much reach a certain temperature before it can be used to clean.
To get around this, there are two active solar water heat
ing systems, direct and indirect. More commonly referred to as an open loop system, direct water heating systems push the water through solar heating panels to raise it to a certain temperature. Then, the water is stored in an insulated collection tank, which serves as your hot water reserve. It is pumped from there to the faucets of your home. The water is continuously moved through the solar panels, constantly heating the water supply.
The closed loop system (indirect) is highly similar, but instead of pumping the water itself through the solar panels, the pumps a heating fluid. Once this fluid is hot, it is pumped through the water supply, heating it in a similar fashion to a pot full of water on the stove. From the hot water reserve, it is distributed to your home.
Light
This may seem like common sense, but creating a home designed to function off of passive solar energy is more complex than you would think. It can involve several architectural changes and the possibility for a complete adaptation of your living space. Passive solar lighting involves the use of large windows and sun lights to allow natural light in the entire time the sun is up, eliminating the need to turn on a single light during the daytime. Having several windows that face south and sun lights (windows in the ceiling) are good starts, but you must also keep these free from obstructions. You will also need to consider the natural arc of your day. You wake up at sunrise, and go to sleep at sunset. You will use your kitchen several times a day, and you will primarily use your living room in the evening. So, since the sun moves from east to west, your bedroom should be on the east side of your home (first light during the day, completely dark by bedtime), the kitchen should be on the south side of your home (constant light throughout the day, should be on the north side for those in the southern hemisphere), and you living room should be on the west side of the home, so it will be able to harness the evening sun for light. Using passive solar lighting can really add a new dynamic to your home.
Active solar lighting comes in two types of solar energy, either through electricity generation of photovoltaic lighting. Most homes will need a complex energy generation system to light an entire home, but this type of system would be used to provide your entire home with electricity. Photovoltaic lighting is most commonly used on the outside of the home. These lights create enough energy to run that individual light through smaller photo-reactive electric semiconductors. These semiconductors produce small amount of electricity when exposed to sunlight. This energy is stored in the light until it gets dark, when the light will automatically turn on. These are commonly used to light gardens, walkways, driveways, and various architectural structures.
Electricity Generation
This is what most people will think of when you mention any type of solar energy. It is the use of technology to turn solar energy into usable electricity, which can then power anything you want to in the home. This is thanks to photovoltaics. Certain substances can convert solar energy into electricity, and placing several panels made of these photo-reactive substances can be used to generate a substantial amount of electricity. Now how does this work in the home.
To start, your home will stay hooked to the grid, that way you will never go without power. Solar panels, made of these photovoltaic material, are installed on your roof, typically facing south to gather the most sun light. When solar energy hits these panels , is generates electricity, which then flows through a converter to change it from a DC current to an AC current. This energy is then used first to power your home, or, with certain systems, it can be stored for future use. One of the bigger advantages is that energy you don’t use can back flow through your connection to the power company. This provide the power company with additional energy, and pushes your meter back, lowering your bill when you’re not using your stores of solar power.
Electricity generation can be used to only power specific appliances as well. This is a good gradual step into green energy. Photo-reactive solar panels are used to power individual large appliances, eliminating their need to be attached to the grid, lowering your energy bill. This can be set up to work on things like electric stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners, or a number of large appliances found in the home. Imagine eliminating your air conditioner from your electric bill during those hot summer months.