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Solar Energy for Home - Revealed
The energy that comes out of the sun is known as solar energy. Sunlight is nothing but electro magnetic waves (because of which it is said to be radiant energy) and it is these waves that are captured by solar energy systems to convert them into a usable format as per our needs. And thus we get electricity that is used for many purposes including at homes.
Solar energy for homes has over the years become very popular as this is more economical that conventional electricity sources. To help us in the process are many gadgets such as photovoltaic cells, solar chimney, solar water heaters and others. However it is necessary to understand that of all the energy radiated from the sun, around 70% is absorbed by the upper layer of the earth through water bodies, landmasses and clouds. And the rest of the energy is reflected back to space. But the energy that we can absorb in the atmosphere and capture is used in many forms and they are chemical power, mechanical power and electrical power.
How does solar energy work in homes?
It is this radiant or solar energy that is the main source from which we get the usable power, and it is this radiant energy that is being used in our daily lives. However though it is today being used in many areas, but solar energy has become most popular in domestic use and to make this happen, we use solar power technologies. However interestingly, solar power technologies can be categorized into two parts and they are - active solar technology and passive solar energy technology, and this differentiation is made based on how they function.
Solar energy technologies for homes work in the following three processes - first the sunlight is captured, then it is converted to a usable format and finally, it is distributed to the consumer. This technology uses many solar power conversion systems that include pumps, photovoltaic panels, active solar lighting and others like this. There is also a passive solar power technology like the daylighting system that is used to light up the inside of the home. But these daylighting systems can be active also, apart from being passive. It replaces artificial lighting and thus offsets power consumption and it also reduces the need for air conditioning (that can consume quite a lot of power) and when this happens, the need for non-solar energy gets reduced.
However with daylighting, there is a need for proper design and size of the windows, saw tooth roofs, light shelves, windows, skylights and others like this. And when this is achieved, the demand for electricity can be reduced by as much as 25%. Hybrid solar lighting or HSL can also lead to daylight saving. This works through mirror focusing and the use of optical fibers that can channel the interior of the home. With this, as much as 50% of the sunlight can be used in a home that is single storied.
Solar water heaters can also be used as a source for solar energy in homes and the results are good here as well. These heaters are used to heat water and they use the energy of the sun. Such heaters are available in 2 types - there are evacuated tube collector and the glazed flat plate collector. The evacuated variety is meant mainly for domestic use.
Another thing that is used and perhaps this is the most popular is the solar cooker. They work on the same principal - that is, they concentrate the sun's energy to make steam for cooking. These cookers can also be divided into 3 categories based on how they are used and they are - panel cookers, box cookers and reflector cookers. The box cooker is the simplest one you can come across and it is very popular as well. It has an insulated container and there is a transparent lid to cover it. The cooker can reach a temperature of up to 90 degree centigrade to 150 degree centigrade.
The panel cooker on the other hand works with the aid of a reflective panel that can direct the sun's radiation to an insulated container. In the reflector cooker you will find many mirrors in different shapes that can reflect the light to heat the insulated container. This cooker can reach really high temperatures even up to 300 - 315 degree centigrade. However you will still need to dislodge them to track the rays - and you will also need direct sunlight for them to work properly.
Solar energy for homes - advantages and disadvantages
Solar energy is the cleanest and also the most inexpensive power source and this is the main advantage. Once you have installed the solar power generator, there will hardly be any running cost and it will keep working for as long as 25 to 30 years. If you have a big system installed, you can even run heavy electric gadgets such as air conditioners and washing machines. Such a system can even back up power for a cloudy day.
It seems that the main limitation is the mistrust many people have about the skillfulness, however this can be overcome through awareness that it is a system that has worked for many. So let us opt for this and say yes to a power source that is cleaner and good for the environment.
So are you interested in a home solar power system and gain from the ecological and financial benefits? But before you do so, you need a manual that will help you learn where it works best in your home, how to complete the installation and the wiring, where to get the parts from cheaply and the batteries free, and you will also need to know about the safety precautions. You are ready to install the home solar power system when you know all this.
About the Author This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy". To Learn More about Earth 4 Electricity Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity. For further information visit: Solar Energy for Homes
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