|
|
|
|
|
|
The Technology How It Works To take advantage of solar energy, you usually need to have an unshaded area that faces south, southeast or southwest, such as a roof. In some cases, a solar professional may recommend a west-facing roof. The solar systems collect the sun’s energy to heat air or a fluid. The air or fluid then transfers solar heat directly to or indirectly to your business, water, or pool.  Solar water heaters and solar space heaters are made up of solar collectors; all systems except pool heaters have some kind of storage. Two commonly used systems include; active and passive systems. Active solar water heaters use pumps to circulate water or a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid from the storage tanks through the collectors. Passive solar water heaters require no pumps or controls and will combine storage tank and collector in one unit. Photovoltaics (PV) Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly to electricity by means of PV cells made of semiconductor materials. The systems are simple and quiet, and require no moving parts. Batteries store energy for use when the sun is not shining. Photovoltaic systems range in size from a single solar cell to power a calculator to large arrays of modules to provide industrial-scale power. A 10 percent efficient PV system in most areas of the United States will generate about 180 kilowatt-hours per square meter. A PV system rated at 1 kilowatt will produce about 1800 kilowatt-hours a year. Most PV panels are warranted to last 20 years or more (perhaps as many as 30 years) and to degrade (lose efficiency) at a rate of less than 1 percent per year. Solar Programs | The Technology | The Economics | The Performance | Learn More |
|||
|
|
|||
