Solar Panel Technology and Uses of Solar Energy

Technology and uses of solar energy

Classification of technologies and their overall use
• Passive Solar Energy: Takes the heat of the sun without the need for mechanisms or mechanical systems.
• Thermal Solar energy: Produces low-temperature hot water for sanitary and heating uses.
• Photovoltaic Solar Energy: Produces electricity through semiconductors plates altered by solar radiation.
• Thermoelectric Solar Energy: Produces electricity through a thermodynamic cycle by heating a conventional fluid to high temperatures (thermal oil)
• Hybrid Solar Energy: Combines solar power with other energies. Depending of the other energies it combines with is a hybrid:
- renewable: biomass, eólica1 energy…
or Fossil.
• Solar Wind Energy: Powered by air warmed by the sun, climbs up a chimney to awaiting generators.

The installation of solar energy centrals in all over the planet could provide more energy than the energy currently consumed in the world (assuming an energy conversion efficiency of 8%), including the one coming from heat, electricity, fossil fuels, and so on.

Other uses of solar energy and examples of their practical applications:

• Solar Green house
• Solar thermal power, such as the one in operation since 2007 in Sevilla,Spain, an 11 MWh power station which will deliver a total of 24 GWh per year.
• Drinkable Water.
• Solar Cooking
• Distillation
• Evaporation
• Photosynthesis
• Drying
• Sustainable Architecture
• Solar Shells

Absorption cooling

Absorption refrigeration system is a means of producing cold, as in the cooling system by compression takes advantage that certain substances absorb heat when changing from liquid to gas. As in the compression cycle which is done by a compressor, for the absorption, the cycle is based on the physical ability of some substances, such as lithium bromide, to absorb another substance, such as water vapor. Another possibility is to use a water-absorbent substance (solvent) and absorbed (solute) ammonia.
More specifically, in the lithium bromide-water cycle, water (coolant) in a low pressure circuit, evaporates in a heat exchanger called the evaporator, which cools a secondary fluid, which ventilates environments or cameras. Then the steam is absorbed by the lithium bromide (absorbent) in the absorber, producing a concentrated solution. This solution passes through the heater, where solute and solvent are separated by heat from an external source, the water then returns to the evaporator, and the bromide to the absorber to restart the cycle. As with the compression systems, the system requires a cooling tower to dissipate excess heat.

Solar heater

A solar heater is a device that uses heat from the sun to heat a substance such as water, oil, brine, glycol or air. Its most common use is to heat water for use in swimming pools or health services (showers, washing clothes or dishes etc..) Both in domestic and hotels. The system is simple and robust, can have a lifespan of up to 20 years without maintenance. It is recommended cleaning the collector every 4 to 6 months to increase their efficiency and lifespan.

Want to Start Making Solar Power at Home? Check out these instructions for building your own solar power. Includes videos, ebook, diagrams, and all the plans you need to get off the power grid and start saving some green while going green.

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