Solar energy has been around since the 1830s when astronomer John Herschel invented a solar thermal collector box, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In the past decade, however, solar energy has made big strides as more and more people and businesses are becoming environmentally conscious. Five main types of solar wire devices help to collect energy from the sun.
Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electrical power and can be used to power small items such as watches, but are most often used for large electric grids that provide electricity for cities or regions. According to a description provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, "PV cells are made of semiconductors, such as crystalline silicon or various thin-film materials."
Solar Thermal Power Plants
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Solar thermal power plants use the sun's rays to heat a fluid to very high temperatures. The fluid is then circulated through pipes so it can transfer its heat to water to produce steam. The steam, in turn, is converted into mechanical energy in a turbine and into electricity by a conventional generator coupled to the turbine." There are three types of solar thermal power plants: electrical power cable, parabolic troughs and solar power towers. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that solar dishes are large dish-shaped objects that point toward the sun and use solar collectors to gather energy. Parabolic troughs use parabolic-shaped reflectors to target the sun's rays. Solar power towers are towers that absorb heat from the sun.
Solar Thermal Collectors
Solar thermal collectors are usually flat panels or transparent coverings that absorb the sun and thus absorb heat, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Solar thermal collectors are often used on the roofs of homes in the form of panels and on swimming pools in the form of a transparent cover. In some cases, on houses, fans or pumps are used to circulate the heat.
Solar Balloons
Solar balloons are in the very early stages of existence as of November 2010, but according to Inhabitant.com can offer more economical photovoltaic arrays. Inhabitant.com describes solar balloons as essentially "helium filled platforms constructed from a new fabric coated with photovoltaic solar cells." The balloons are made up of a control panel, a helium control cable and a power cable and may eventually be available to heat homes and buildings.
Solar Water Heaters
https://youtu.be/yVPMXtgUWF8
Solar water heaters are used to heat water and consist of insulated storage tanks and solar collectors. In a direct circulation system, a collector attracts heat and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, "pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home." These heaters work best in warmer climates. For people living in colder climates, a solar water heater with an indirect circulation system may work better. In describing these water heaters, the U.S. Department of Energy states that "Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home."
Your electric service panel generally does not have to be upgraded when adding solar power, but solar power does require several changes in connected equipment. Solar panels generate direct current electricity, so you will need an inverter to convert to the alternating current used in houses. When connected to the electric service panels, solar power is also connected to the electric utility grid and the electric company has regulations regarding such connections.
Check your electric service panel to make sure that there is a spare breaker or room for an additional breaker. Check your solar panel rated output current, output voltage and maximum power. Select your grid-connect inverter based on the solar panel voltage, current and maximum power. Make sure the inverter has a power failure feature that cuts the connection from the solar panels to the grid during a power failure, so that the current generated by your system does not endanger utility workers.
Install the grid-connect inverter according to the manufacturer's instructions, near the electric service panel. Run the rubber cable from the solar panels to the input side of the inverter, and connect the positive and negative wires to the corresponding terminals on the inverter. Connect the output of the inverter to the electric service panel. Check the rated output current and connect the output cable to a spare breaker with adequate current rating, or install a new breaker with a current rating high enough to handle the inverter output current.
Connect the solar panels to the cable. Use the multimeter to check currents and voltages on both sides of the inverter to make sure they match the ratings. Switch off the main breaker to simulate a power failure, and check to make sure that the inverter has cut the connection to the solar panels and is no longer supplying voltage on the output.
Install a kilowatt-hour meter as required by your local electric utility. Check with your utility to see whether it allows a reduction in your electricity bill by the amount of power supplied into the grid from your solar panels or whether it requires an additional kilowatt-hour meter to determine the value of the solar power. Install the additional meter next to the existing power meter of the electric utility. Keep track of the readings of the meters, and check your next electricity bill to make sure the solar power is included.
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January 14, 2023- -
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