Solar thermal energy is a renewable energy technology that uses the sun’s energy as a heat source. It’s a brilliant way to generate power and provides homes with heat, hot water and cooling. The most common uses include heating household water, pool water, and living space. Here we will talk about solar thermal energy systems for hot water.
Like photovoltaic solar energy, this is a sustainable green energy source. With global awareness of environmental concerns and rising energy costs, many homeowners are looking for ways to save money, especially on alternative ways to generate power. Things to know about solar thermal energy for home hot water include:
Types of collectors. There are three basic types of dubbed collectors: low, medium, and high. Low collectors are flat plates used to heat swimming pools. Medium collectors are also flat plates and are used to heat water and air. Tall collectors use mirrors, lenses, and other materials with reflective surfaces to collect sunlight for use as general electrical power.
Installations. The panels are very light and can be easily assembled. A major overhaul of wiring and structure is usually not required. Basic space requirements include a few hundred square feet of flat surface.
What equipment is needed? To harness the sun’s energy through solar thermal energy, you need the following:
1. Collector
2. Storage tank
3. Expansion tank
4. Solar station with pump
5. Controller
6. Solar Fluid
7. Mounting hardware and
8. Pipe
How does this work? Solar collectors, including pipes or tubes with fluid (often oil or water) inside them, are placed on top of the roof. The sun will heat the tubes and therefore the solar fluid. The controller filters the system temperature. The solar station pumps drive the fluid from the collector to the hot water tank. The fluid will then flow through a pipe that is coiled inside the water tank and heats the water inside the hot water tank. The water from the hot water tank can be used directly for household needs. The fluid is pumped back into the collector to be heated again by the sun. To harness the full potential of rooftop solar collectors, position your roof facing south and tilt it 45 degrees toward the sun.
How about during the winter? Does it work efficiently during cold seasons compared to hot sunny days? Heat from daylight is limited during the winter season and therefore solar thermal collectors will work less effectively. However, the system will still provide significant savings during the year.
Long before fossil fuels were discovered, humans managed to make their way to survive and live. Now that these supplies are running low, humanity will have to switch to renewable energy to continue living a life of comfort. Solar thermal energy is free and with the improvement of technology, it is easier to convert it into electricity that a household can use. Solar thermal energy as a source of energy not only helps save the environment from further damage, but also ensures that people can live better by saving on energy costs. Solar thermal energy can also be used to heat and cool the home. Keep an eye out for our next articles on these technologies soon.