DIY Solar Energy
As we become more environmentally aware we look for new ways to reduce the world's dependency on fossil fuel. Hopefully, new technology advancements will soon make solar power systems commonplace world-wide. Several methods have been developed to harness the sun's power and convert it to solar power energy that can be used for our daily needs.
The photovoltaic system (PV) and the concentrating solar power system (CSP) are the two most commonly used for this purpose. The PV system is made up of special materials capable of generating electricity when exposed to sunlight. In contrast, CSP materials absorb the heat energy from the sun which is then used to produce electricity instead of burning fossil fuels for the same purpose. While PV is used in many residential applications, CSP could theoretically provide enough solar power energy to power a city using either the parabolic-trough system, power tower system or dish engine system for collecting solar energy.
Panels for generating solar power energy can vary greatly in cost depending on the type of installation you are aiming for. If your building is in a more remote area and is industrial you can use the typical boxy style roof mounted panels. If you want a more discrete, dual purpose installation you can even have your structure constructed with solar cells built right into the roofing, awning and window materials.
If your structure is shaded part of the time, consider mounting the solar panels with ground and pole mounts; adding greater freedom to your design. Additionally, the panels can be rooftop mounted. Special features can be added to solar panels that cause them to follow the sun's path across the sky, thus increasing their energy output and providing more solar power energy.
Parabolic-trough systems focus the heat of the sun using long mirrors. This heat travels to piping built into the center of the mirror through which oil is pumped to carry the heat away from the mirrors. The heat from the oil is then used to heat water to create steam that powers a generator to create the solar power energy.
Dish-engine systems utilize a reflective parabolic type dish to focus the heat from the sun to heat fluid much like the parabolic-trough system except this fluid expands when heated which make it move large pistons that power an electrical generator for the production of solar power energy.
Solar power energy created by power tower systems use a huge array of mirrors to focus the heat from the sun onto a tower mounted receiver which heats molten salt flowing through the receiver. The heat from the molten salt is then used to heat water to create steam to power a generator.
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The photovoltaic system (PV) and the concentrating solar power system (CSP) are the two most commonly used for this purpose. The PV system is made up of special materials capable of generating electricity when exposed to sunlight. In contrast, CSP materials absorb the heat energy from the sun which is then used to produce electricity instead of burning fossil fuels for the same purpose. While PV is used in many residential applications, CSP could theoretically provide enough solar power energy to power a city using either the parabolic-trough system, power tower system or dish engine system for collecting solar energy.
Panels for generating solar power energy can vary greatly in cost depending on the type of installation you are aiming for. If your building is in a more remote area and is industrial you can use the typical boxy style roof mounted panels. If you want a more discrete, dual purpose installation you can even have your structure constructed with solar cells built right into the roofing, awning and window materials.
If your structure is shaded part of the time, consider mounting the solar panels with ground and pole mounts; adding greater freedom to your design. Additionally, the panels can be rooftop mounted. Special features can be added to solar panels that cause them to follow the sun's path across the sky, thus increasing their energy output and providing more solar power energy.
Parabolic-trough systems focus the heat of the sun using long mirrors. This heat travels to piping built into the center of the mirror through which oil is pumped to carry the heat away from the mirrors. The heat from the oil is then used to heat water to create steam that powers a generator to create the solar power energy.
Dish-engine systems utilize a reflective parabolic type dish to focus the heat from the sun to heat fluid much like the parabolic-trough system except this fluid expands when heated which make it move large pistons that power an electrical generator for the production of solar power energy.
Solar power energy created by power tower systems use a huge array of mirrors to focus the heat from the sun onto a tower mounted receiver which heats molten salt flowing through the receiver. The heat from the molten salt is then used to heat water to create steam to power a generator.
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