Solar energy is the most abundant energy form available on earth. This energy is free and sustainable and totally green. Simply explained, solar energy is the sun’s rays that reach earth or the energy from sunlight. Sunlight can reach the earth surface with a maximum intensity of more than 1,000 watts per square metre. Two technologies are commonly used to capture this solar energy, firstly solar water heating and the conversion of radiant energy to electricity by photovoltaic conversion.
Solar Water Heating
Conventional electric water heaters are the biggest users of electricity and make up a huge part of the average home owners electricity bill. Have a look at your last electricity bill and see how much money and energy is spent on keeping your hot water hot. Each year in New Zealand around 2,000 solar water heaters are installed, this demand is growing annually as the benefits are finally being recognised. With this Government offering grants, the cost of the installation is subsidised and more and more homeowners are switching to solar water heating.
Sunlight To Electricity
This is achieved by the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells, these cells are usually made of silicon and are designed to generate electrical current when exposed directly to sunlight. This energy is then stored for use.
What are the advantages of solar power?
• Totally Green : When you look at solar energy, you realize that it uses no fuel whatsoever other than the sun’s rays. There is nothing released into the atmosphere from this process unlike other methods of generation.
• Cheap: Obviously the sun’s ray’s are free, and all you are doing is harnessing those rays to generate heat or electricity. The initial cost of a solar heating system can be quite expensive but after a few years, you will have recovered those costs and will continue to save.
• Easy Storage: You cannot store conventional power but you can store solar power for future use. The sun’s energy comes to the rescue even in the times of darkness! Storing the sun’s energy also ensures a 24×7 supply of power, thus saving you from any power outage.
• Low maintenance: Solar energy systems are easy to maintain. They do not involve high costs or too much effort, thus letting you reap the benefits of the solution comfortably.
Make power at home with solar energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide here