The many faces of solar power 23552
The Many Faces of Solar Power
Living in Nevada, the sun is an almost consistent companion. This offers Nevadans a special opportunity to utilize solar radiation powers for good. In April, a trip of southern Nevada homes shed some light on the subject of solar energy homes. Hosted by the American Solar Power Society, this Nevada branch of the National trusted plumber in Langwarrin Solar Trip checked out homes that used both passive and active solar energy, thermal hot water systems, and other ecologically functions. Nevertheless, unless you're a green innovations expert, or took the tour, you may not know the difference in between passive and active solar, or how thermal hot water is different than average. Let me help you understand!
Active solar innovation is the one that most people may be familiar with. It includes having a solar panel that gathers the sun's energy and transforms it into electrical power. These have a battery where energy is stored, so electrical energy can still be used during the night, and, to a certain degree, on cloudy days. Solar panels are an outstanding way to make electrical energy, particularly in remote areas. While they are moderately costly to set up, and do need some upkeep, Cranbourne residential plumber they provide trustworthy and complimentary electricity, even in climates far less sunny than Nevada's.
Passive solar technologies are far older residential plumber Hastings than active ones, and involve utilizing the natural heat and light the sun develops, without converting it in any other way. Have you ever saw that after a long, hot day, south-facing rocks, pavement or brick and adobe structures will radiate heat? They have invested the day passively gathering solar power, and are releasing it. Some products are better at absorbing and saving that heat than others. For example, wood insulates, suggesting it will block temperature levels, whereas stone will take in and release temperatures. Residences that are developed to benefit from passive solar are typically built of brick, adobe or concrete. Cob is another passive-solar-friendly and ancient building product that is going through a revival of sorts. It is made of sand, clay and straw, comparable ingredients as adobe, however adobe is baked into bricks and stacked, whereas cob structures are free-formed while the material is damp. Passive solar homes generally have a great deal of windows lining their south walls, and less so their east and west walls, with little to no windows on the cooler north sides. These windows do two things. Initially, they offer natural light inside the home, one aspect of passive solar. Second, they allow heat to come into the home. If the home has a stone tile flooring and even walls, that tile will take in the heat, releasing it later when the outdoors temperature drops.
Passive solar homes can be designed to be cool in summer season while utilizing the sun to warm them in winter. For example, if shutters are closed throughout summer months, the home will remain much cooler. Also, the height and angle of overhang can be considered to optimize the windows direct exposure to low winter sun, however minimize residential plumber nearby direct exposure to the high summertime sun. Alternatively, I saw an intriguing example of someone planting deciduous trees on the south side of their home. In the winter season, the trees had no leaves and so let in a lot of light and heat. In the summer season, their thick plant offered shade that kept the house cool.
So that is the significant difference between active and passive solar innovations. Since passive solar is essentially complimentary, it would be wise for any designer or home designer to take it into factor to consider when constructing new homes. Well designed passive solar homes can significantly decrease their electrical energy needs. And while active solar is brilliant technology, it still takes lots of resources to produce. Plus, it may be unneeded in a location with an existing electrical source.
As for thermal water heating, it too is an extremely basic principle. Home made thermal hot water heater can be as simple as an outside water tank painted black, but that's a little crude for many tastes. However, there are a variety of designs out there. Some have panels that are metal painted black and enclosed with glass, with copper pipes filled with water running through them. This water will warm, and is then pressed by gravity into an insulated tank. Some solar hot water heater use a similar set-up however with tubes filled with anti-freeze that are then connected to a heat transfer loop, where water in a storage tank is heated up. Whatever system you utilize, thermal water heating is remarkably affective.
There are a lot of methods to make the most of the sun and use less electricity. Take a look at next year's National Solar Trip to see them for yourself.
