How to Make Use of Solar Energy

How to Make Use of Solar Energy

Solar power is one of the world's primary renewable energy sources. The sun's rays alone produce enough energy to exceed the world's total energy supply by a factor of nearly 10,000! By harnessing just a fraction of that power it is perfectly possible to meet global energy demands despite the continual growth in world population and rising standard of living. But how can we make use of this, one of our most valuable natural energy resources? The answers can be found in technology that exists today - thermal energy transfer technology and light energy transfer technology.

Thermal Energy Technology

Electrical power may be created directly from the sun's heat. Power plants have systems that harness the sun's thermal power by using mirrors to focus the sun's heat energy onto a network of pipes, through which a fluid (water) is pumped. The transfer of thermal energy from the mirrors makes the pipes hot enough to boil the water and thus to create steam. The steam then powers a turbine, which creates electricity. Some solar energy power plants in use today generate enough electricity to power whole cities.

The main issue with thermal energy technologies though is that, for them to work, the sun needs to be shining. When it is cloudy electricity is not generated! For this reason alone its applications are rather limited in the UK - and although it is certainly possible to install such a system at your property for domestic use, one that uses solar light energy to create electrical power is likely to be more cost-effective in the long run.

Solar Light Energy Technology

Converting natural light to electricity is a technology that has been around since the 1950s. Its applications are numerous - from powering something as simple as a calculator to providing energy to spacecraft systems in flight. The most recognised use of this technology however is by way of roof-mounted solar panels.

Solar panels, which are also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, collect light energy from the sun via an array of silicon-based solar cells. When light from the sun strikes those cells an electrical reaction takes place in the silicon at an atomic level. Electrons are knocked free by the light creating positively and negatively charged surfaces. When these surfaces are 'rejoined' by a connector, a current of electricity is generated between the two opposing sides.

Today, solar light energy technology is very advanced. The sun does not even have to shine for solar panels to generate electricity…good news for us then under the mostly cloudy skies of the UK!

Why install Solar (PV) Panels?

Solar (PV) panels represent one of the cleanest forms of energy generation in the world. Once installed a sufficient array of panels can cover off all your electricity needs at your property. You can even sell any excess electricity you generate to the National Grid! Just imagine that…your electricity company will pay you rather than you pay them!!

The main obstacle most people fear overcoming however is the cost of buying and installing solar (PV) panels. It is true that panels are not cheap - some of the most efficient solar panel systems can cost upwards of £15,000. Thankfully the government does offer up to a 50% grant, potentially slashing your initial costs in half. In terms of the savings that you can make on your electricity bill…and the potential for selling your excess to the National Grid, even the most expensive of installations could pay for themselves within 10 years.

Adding weight to the advantages of having such a system installed is the value that roof-mounted solar (PV) panels can add to your property. As these units become more mainstream, and their cost advantages become increasingly apparent to the public, homes with PV panels will become more sought after. Some sellers have already seen their homes rise in value by 6% and more, just because they have the ability to generate their own electricity!

An Introduction to Green Energy

An Introduction to Renewable Energy

The term 'renewable energy' or  Green Energy has become familiar to many of us in recent years. Described as an inexhaustible source for energy production that harnesses the power of nature in an environmentally friendly way, it is heavily associated with methods for producing electricity that do not require the burning of fossil fuels (Fossil fuels are formed from organic and non-renewable materials over many years.  Coal, mineral oil and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Source: DFeS Standards site:Science:Energy Resources:What are fossil fuels?)�

 

As of 2008, some 5% of the UK's electricity supply comes from renewable energy - or "Eco-Friendly - sources. The government is targeting this to rise to 10% by 2010, and then 60% by 2050, thus contributing substantially to the long-term aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the UK.  It is not our intention with this article to explain the problem of releasing carbon dioxide into our eco-system, suffice to know that Carbon dioxide (chemical formula: CO2) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth's atmosphere in this state (Source: wikipedia - "Carbon Dioxide").  In higher concentrations: 1% (10,000 ppm) CO2 causes a change in the atmosphere, wich is detrimental to living conditions the world over, see below.

The importance of renewable energy

Traditionally, the UK's energy needs have been met by fossil fuel sources.  Coal-fired power stations provide the nation with electricity; pipelines pump in natural gas extracted from the North Sea and elsewhere, while oil extracted from rock beds around the world keep our vehicles on the road.  All of these energy sources however spew enormous amounts of carbon compounds and other pollutants out into the atmosphere - both in their production (turning raw materials into usable energy) and end use (consumption of the product by burning).  It is natural that they would for the 'fuel' is derived from organic matter - collections of carbon compounds!

But just how bad is the problem? Well the UK emits some 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the sky above Britain every single day. As carbon dioxide is a so-called 'greenhouse gas' - i.e. it prevents surface heat from escaping back into space by bouncing it back down towards the ground - our fossil-fuel energy consumption is contributing significantly to global climate change.

Renewable energy on the other hand is carbon-neutral. That is to say that the generation of energy from renewable sources does not add to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each day, and neither does its consumption.

Clearly then, the more energy that we can generate from renewable 'green' energy sources, the less polluted the air will be and the more efficient we will be at fighting climate change!

Types of renewable energy

There are several economically viable sources of renewable energy in the UK. A brief description of each follows:

Solar Energy: Heat from the sun may be converted into electrical power via photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Heat energy from the sun's rays can also be transferred directly to warm a hot water system for example, as is the case in Eretz Yisroel (Israel) where most roofs are equipped with what they call a "Dood Shememsh" (Sun Vat)

Wind Energy: 40% of Europe's wind resource blows across the UK. With such a massive natural force it makes sense to convert that energy into electricity, which is achieved courtesy of wind turbines.

Wave Energy: The UK is surrounded by water. We therefore have easy access to areas where we can explore methods of energy creation and transfer of that energy from tidal motion and the movement of ocean waves.

Geothermal Energy: The ground beneath our feet is a source of heat energy. It may be extracted by direct heat transfer, or by piping water through an underground loop, the stored heat in the rock bed below warming the water as it passes by.

 

 

Bio Fuels: Energy crops such as Miscanthus (Elephant Grass) and willow - both of which can be grown in the UK - can be burned in electrical power stations as an alternative to fossil fuels. Certain types of crop-based bio fuels may also be used as an alternative to petrol and diesel to power our vehicles.

Recycling: Whilst the recycling of used products - like plastic and synthetic rubber - might not fall under the strict term of "renewable energy", the reason being that fossil fuels are used, nevertheless it certainly goes half-way in reducing the amount of new fossil fuel that is being used.

 

Renewable energy is the energy of the future. But to get to that 'future'…a future in which our air is cleaner…we have to act NOW. Embrace renewable energy sources and the world will be a more hospitable place for us, our children and grandchildren.

How to safely install a solar powered hot water system

How to safely install a solar powered hot water system

Living under the cloudy skies of Britain you could be forgiven for assuming that heating the water in your home by solar power is little more than wishful thinking. But, as more and more householders who have solar panels installed on their roofs are finding out, even when the sun's not shining heating your water by solar power still works…and saves money!

Solar power technology for domestic properties

To heat your hot water using solar energy, three components are needed:

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  Solar panels -- These are set on the roof of the property to collect solar heat. For optimum performance it is preferable that the roof slopes to a southerly aspect where sunlight exposure is maximised. Before installation you may need to apply for planning consent. However, you should check with the planning office as changes to permitted development rights for microgeneration technology in April 2008 have helped lift many of the planning restrictions applied to roof-mounted solar panels.

  
  

Two types of solar panel are available: flat panels, which collect solar heat through a large absorber plate; and evacuated tube arrays, which collect heat via individual absorber plates within the tubes.

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  Heat exchanger -- A method of transferring heat energy from the solar panels to the domestic hot water system is required. This is often achieved via a manifold system through which the domestic water supply is run. The energy from the panels heats the fluid as it passes through the manifold.

  
  

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  Hot water tank -- For storage of the solar heated water. This may be a cylinder that is additional to your existing hot water tank.

  
  

Purchase and Installation

Flat panel solar technology costs around £3,000 to £5,000 to purchase and install. Evacuated tube systems are more advanced, more efficient and (naturally) more expensive!

It is highly recommended that a certified professional installer experienced in solar powered hot water systems is employed for the installation. They can also help you assess your requirements and recommend suitable products for your situation and budget.

Solar powered hot water systems normally come with a 5-10 year warranty. They require very little in the way of maintenance - just an annual check to make sure that the panels are free from debris, and that the water is being heated sufficiently. A more thorough examination of the system by a qualified installer is recommended every 3-5 years.

Benefits of solar power

In the UK a solar powered system will typically supply between a third and a half of all your hot water requirements. The fuel 'displaced' can be considerable. In a gas-heated property, savings of up to £70-£80 a year can be expected. For properties whose hot water supply is electrically heated you can factor in a saving of £100-£120 a year! Given that energy prices are rising fast, is it time you considered the solar option?