Solar thermal power can be produced any place the sun’s rays can reach. This type of power will last longer than mankind lives.
Why Solar Thermal Energy Power Works
The best part of solar thermal energy is that it’s free and, due to the improvement of technology, it’s easier to change over into electricity a household can use. Photovoltaic cells are more effective; batteries are inexpensive and quite efficient at storing excess energy. That means solar thermal power systems can be set up with little difficulty.
Before any solar power for homes system is installed, the roof and halls should be well-insulated and the lighting should be installed with energy-efficient bulbs and appliances that don’t always need to be plugged in should be unplugged. Röhrenkollektor By making energy-smart moves in your home now, you’ll reduce the need your energy consumption, allowing you to plan a system that meets you needs while being energy efficient.
Solar energy thermal power produces little effect on the environment than any other form of renewable energy power including geo thermal plants and wind power energy. On top of that, there’s no noise from the blades seen with wind power and no large pipes criss-crossing the land as seen with geo-thermal plants.
Solar power for homes that already exist may mean convert and retrofitting it; it may also mean a roof replacement. There’s no need to do a major overhaul on the structure or wiring to get solar thermal power. All you need is a flat surface and suitable housing for the battery. The space you provide doesn’t need to be but a few square feet large. Solar thermal power panels are very light and can be assembled very easily; a person who is doing this type of project themselves can easily do this.
The Negative Aspect Of Solar Thermal Power
Despite all the good reasons a person should consider solar thermal energy for their home, there is a negative aspect to it. There’s the hazard that comes with getting rid of storage batteries. It should be noted, however, that the costs for maintaining and servicing the system after installation is low compared to other energy methods including renewable energy methods.
Other Reasons To Go With Solar Thermal Energy
If you choose to build a solar thermal power system, you may be surprised by how easy it is to construct. Keep in mind that your goal is to reduce your energy bill and be free of fossil fuel energy. How many times have you suffered with a blackout in extremely hot weather, wishing you had a solar power system on standby? Now, you can if you want it.
While solar power for homes is a new thing, it’s actually been around for years and can work in environments as tough as space. A small scale unit can work in harsh and remote environments found on Earth, helping those communities who, during the summer, are unable to get energy from other sources.
Semi-cloudy days will still produce enough power for an average sized home demand. It’s clean energy, which means no pollution and other harmful effects on the environment as it operates.
Due to the popularity of this solar thermal power, solar panels are becoming a design feature for homes, showing off the modern approach to the architecture. It’s not surprising that more domestic users are picking these systems as their source for renewable energy. Because of it, the prices of these systems are falling. With the increase in popularity, the design of these devices has made it easier to install, easier to maintain and better efficient. It’s liable that you’ll be able to find a supplier in your hometown or one nearby.
If you’re a homeowner looking to save money on your energy bills while saving the environment too, then you can’t go wrong with solar thermal power as your energy source. Solar thermal power will help you to become self-sufficient and enjoy all the comforts that fossil fuel homes enjoy for years to come.
Solar Thermal Systems – Some Respite for Hard Times
Hard times are on Ireland. Cash is hard to come by. Social welfare benefits and minimum wages will be reduced in an attempt to cut down the 2011 budget by Euro 6 bn, it is said. Only way for you to come out of the quagmire is to cut down your own wastages and improve the efficiency to optimize the usage of your earnings. The winter too is on you and imported fuel is going to take it’s toll. It’s time to think of going for indigenous sources of fuel sources and how to harness it with minimum expenditure.
Greener Homes Grant Scheme for awarding energy efficiency upgrading grants prescribes Solar Thermal type solar energy converters for home heating and domestic hot water applications. As you know, for such a system you are entitled for grant of up to Euro 1,500 and Euro 1,800 for Flat Plate type thermal collectors and Evacuated Tube type thermal collectors respectively, (based on Euro 250/m2 and Euro 300/m2 respectively for up to a maximum of 6m2 panel surface area).
Now, it becomes evident to you that there are two different technologies available in hot water systems to select.Which is the best suited for your requirements? What if your choice is the wrong one? We give below an insight into the two different solar thermal panels to enable you be aware of where you stand.
Types of Solar Thermal panels
The two basic types of solar thermal panels as mentioned before are:
- Flat Panel Type
- Vacuum tube type
In addition there is another type incorporating semi conductors to entrap solar energy and known as PV panels which are integrated with Solar Thermal Panels in a hybrid design. This design primarily cools the PV semi-conductors while heating up the fluid in the Solar Thermal collector, serving dual purposes.
Flat Panel Type Solar Thermal Panels
This is the oldest design of the two and is also the most widely used in homes. It is very simple in design, construction and operation. Therefore they are economical too.
A quality Solar Thermal Flat Panel may basically comprise of*:
- Ultrasonic welded, selective surface coated copper plate Panel
- Low iron, tempered glass with 91% transmission certified to EN 572-5, EN 12150-1 or their equivalents.
- UV durable EPDM and silicone enclosure sealing against water
- One piece, channel type glazing gaskets with moulded corners against water penetration
- Electro statically black coated all Aluminium collector cases
- CE certified high density Rockwool Insulation
- Flexible connections for ease of installation
- Back sealing provided by clamps and silicone
- Air vent holes to prevent internal condensation
- Back plate of embossed aluminium sheet.
- Special black coloured (for better absorption of solar heat) glass wool wall insulation
As you see the components are uncomplicated and simple.
Evacuated Type Solar Thermal Panels
In contrast these panels are more complex but are more efficient, durable, longer lasting and more reliable. Interestingly evacuated type solar thermal panels can provide heat energy during all seasons and cold, wet and windy conditions. (This is achieved by the low thermal losses provided by the vacuum of 10 -6 in the collector tubes).
This eliminates two of the three ways heat energy is lost, namely conduction, convection and radiation. The elimination of the conduction and convection makes it possible for the tubes to make use of low levels of diffused radiation. Evacuated type Solar Thermal Panel is also highly efficient.
They can also therefore be adopted for domestic central heating systems.
The evacuated tubes are made of special glass which gives it good transmissibility with low reflection losses. They are highly durable too. As a consequence they are also relatively more expensive. The high solar energy absorption of evacuated tube solar thermal panels is achieved by the use of an absorber which consists of absorber plates coated with a special high efficiency selective coating which enable maximum solar radiation absorption and minimum loss of thermal radiation.*
Whatever may be your selection for your home hot water and space heating needs, approximately 70% of the annual fuel need may be shared by a solar thermal panel installation in your home.(The balance small portion will be provided by a Röhrenkollektoren conventional fuel or electricity using heaters). Best part is you will receive the solar thermal energy virtually at no cost to you or the country. Additionally the Greener Homes Grant will ease your initial investment too. Keep it in mind even in the low solar intensity and snowy winter too up to 30% of home hot water needs can be shared by a solar thermal installation.
