Residential Solar Power, to generate heat or electricity

Residential solar power - Life on earth is fed by heat and light coming from the sun. Solar energy makes it way to us via electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves but on a totally different range of frequency. Some energy is lost while traveling thru the atmosphere, but the remaining is sufficient enough to maintain life and provide a limitless amount of free energy. To recover and transform this energy to a practical form like electricity or heating the main devices involved are the solar panels to generate electricity (photovoltaic) and the solar collectors to produce hot water or hot air. These units don’t rely on gas or electricity to operate as they are autonomous. In addition, using residential solar power is non pollutant and once the necessary components are bought, you can have free energy.

The most commonly used residential solar power applications are thermal. Such technology utilizes the heat coming from the sun for heating spaces and water. It can also be used for cooling spaces, ventilation, Desalination, cooking and many other purposes.

Solar energy is also used to generate electricity. A good example is the calculator with a small solar cell. Solar battery chargers are also available; they can recharge cell phones, Ipods, laptop computers and other small devices. Space technology is using solar technology since a long time. Solar panels known also as photovoltaic, transforms the sun’s energy to electricity. Residential solar power is also used to provide electricity for homes. In this particular case, solar panels are installed on the roof or on the ground. The electricity produced feeds a battery bank and an inverter provides 110 or 220 volts for the home.  Other popular solar devices using solar technology are solar lights, solar fountains and solar pumps.  These products are widely available and are a good example on how solar energy can be implemented.

Another widely used residential solar power application is the solar water heater. Solar water heating is not a new technology and implementation is straightforward. The system is made of solar collectors that heat the water when it circulates through tubes. Once heated the water flows into a storage tank and is available for use. The same system can be used for heating spaces. Solar collectors are also used to produce distilled water in this case the water is obtain by evaporation.

Although not considered as  residential solar power, a less known application of solar energy uses what is called focusing collectors. The system consists of a movable mirror always following the sun. Heliostats as they are also called can generate extremely high temperature. Such systems are usually used for a solar furnace. Heliostats can also generate electricity by turning water to steam. The steam obtained can then run a generator.

All these different devices are allowing transforming the solar energy into useful and practical applications and solar power can be obtained using the above different ways. But most importantly, by using residential solar power technology and other clean sources of energy you are helping in improving the environment.