Solar Power - Part 1

We have all heard of Solar power, but what is it, how does it work, and why use it?

Solar is defined as; derived from or related to the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun. Therefore, anything that manages to harness the power of the sun may be called Solar Power.

The 3 Main Types of Solar Power

There are 3 main types of solar energy systems:

1. Solar Water Heating.
2. Solar Cells (Photovoltaic).
3. Solar Concentrator Systems.

The first two types are commonly used for household and general business installations, whereas the last (Solar Concentrator Systems) is for large industrial, or solar energy farms and solar power station applications. A brief explanation of each:

1. Solar Water Heating.

Solar water heating in its simplist form is a flat coated metal panel, insulated underneath and with pipes containing water lying on the surface. As the panel heats from the sun, so does the water held in the pipes. The water is circulated over the panels, and back into the buildings hot water system.

A more advanced (and therefore more expensive) system uses very well insulated evacuated glass tubes. The collector plate is held within the tubes vaccum, and so heat loss is virtually eliminated due to the vaccum and insulation.

In the UK, it is estimated that you can save about 50% of all water heating bills. Both of these types of panel are suitable for home use, and are also available in the UK. This type of system is also great for underfloor heating, general water heating, or even to heat a swimming pool, which is something to consider.


2. Solar Cells

Usually referred to as Photovoltaic cells/panels (PV), which are composed of specially formulated cells that produce an electric current when light falls upon them. These are the same technology that a solar powered calculator uses for power, only on a larger scale.

The majority of pv solar panels are silicon based, although other materials have or are being used, especially as research and development in this area progresses. Recently scientists have discovered how to acheive similar results using a type of plastic composite which is also able to use the infra-red spectrum, previously not within the ability of existing panels, and thereby making them even more efficient than many current designs.

All of this development means that the overall cost of an installation is rapidly decreasing, especially as demand increases allowing photovoltaic panels to be used for far more projects, including domestic use.


3. Solar Concentrator Systems

Concentrator systems are generally commercial installations or for large solar electrical generators.

This site is primarily concerned with houses and domestic systems, so for anyone interested in what these are, and how they work can follow this link to read all about Concentrating Solar Power.


The UK recieves a vast amount of radiation from the sun over the course of a year, this means that even somewhere as weather challenged as the UK is able to benefit enormously from using either type of solar energy system stated above.

Next ... part 2 - domestic installations, diagrams, selling or storing your excess power.

CAT Courses 2006

The Center for Alternative Technology (CAT) now have their 2006 course list online. Several of the courses also lead to recognised qualifications such as City & Guilds for example.

The courses cover alternative energy, materials, system installation, green home building, sustainability and more. Some of the courses on offer include:

• Heating with Wood Fuels
• Energy Awareness
• Make your own Biodiesel
• The Urban Eco Home
• The Whole House - Ecological building from new
• Wind Power
• Timber Frame Self Build
• Solar Domestic Water Heating
• Install and Test Domestic Photovoltaic Systems
• Water Treatment, Conservation and Recycling

Courses are charged for on a scale depending on your income or personal circumstances (e.g. a student). Accomodation is provided, although you will have to provide your own safety colthes - further details are available on the website on what you will need to bring you may also enquire via their course office. Telephone: 01654 705981.

If you are just interested, are in the industry and wish to brush up or expand your skills, or perhaps are thinking of implimeting your own alternative energy system, or about to embark on a green self-build, then these courses will be of interest to you.

Christmas Shopping Time

Christmas can be a tough when you have to decide what to buy for that 'someone special' in your life. So, I have compiled a short list of some green and eco-friendly UK sites that may well be of interest or provide inspiration. This list is by no means comprehensive, just a taster of what is available.

Green Warehouse - A good selection, including a good choice of personal hygeine products.

The Green Shop - A massive array of sustainable and eco-friendly products.

Nigels Eco-store - Eco or environmentally-friendly stuff .. that doesn't cost the earth!

Alana Ecology - Mostly products for animal conservation - how about a bird table!

Origohome - Soft furnishings and other environmentally friendly organic and natural materials.

Green Building Store - Selection of natural paints and other building materials.

Select Solar - All things solar, from 12v chargers to gifts and gadgets.

The Bin Company - Bio degradable bags, compostable carrier bags and other waste solutions.

Spirit of Nature - Organic Clothing and Cosmetics.

Green Building Bible

Do you have someone green in your life?! Then the Green Building Bible from Green Building Press has to be the ultimate gift for the person who has an interest or wishes to build, renovate or adapt their home into a more eco-friendly property.

Subjects covered in detail are: material
selection; thermal insulation; buying an eco-home; sourcing sustainable timber; natural paints; heating your eco-home; solar heating; sustainable roofing; air
tightness of buildings; healthy homes etc. The book also includes extensive
guidance and advice on how to obtain grants for renewable energy installations
and other environmental initiatives.

So either treat yourself or your loved one, and they will really thank you for this publication and at only £9.95 for 288 pages of top class information it's also great value too.

Available from Amazon see click for more information: The Green Building Bible

Time To Mow The Roof?

From a green perspective a grass roof has many benefits, including insulation, sound proofing, and roof durability. CAT Publications produce a DIY Tipsheet that gives;
'A detailed DIY guide, with materials list and pros and cons'. At only (GBP) £0.50 it is a bargain to boot!

So, if you've ever wondered how to tackle such a project on an existing building, or are planning a build from scratch, then this tip sheet should be able to answer most of your questions aswell as explain the methods involved.

CAT (Center for Alternative Technology) have many other tip or fact sheets aswell as educational booklets at very reasonable prices for sale on their site, so go and take a look, and see what they have to offer.

How about an alternative to grass for covering a roof? A UK based company does just that for garden buildings and sheds here.

I See The Light!

This time of year I start to notice the increasing number of properties being dressed for Christmas. Is it really necessary to illuminate the whole street for a month or more? Especially when we should all be more aware of our own energy consumption and the willful wastage of fossil fuels and increased CO2 emissions (greenhouse gases).

Consider using decorative LED lights which are very energy efficient compared to the traditional mini bulb type, as Lights4fun state:
LED lights ...

• Last up to ten times longer than a standard bulb - up to 100,000 hours!


• They are incredibly bright ( 3 x times brighter than standard bulbs) 3000 mcds.


• They use on average 80% less power than standard bulbs - and are therefore environmentally friendly.


• They are very durable and hardy - no filament or glass to break.


• The bulbs generate NO HEAT and thus are very safe! They are IDEAL for Christmas decorations around trees or other fabrics - where normal bulbs could cause a danger.


• Would pay for themselves in one year of constant use!
  

You should also be using energy efficient bulbs around your house wherever it is possible, as these produce less heat and also last many hours more than traditional bulbs.

Enjoy your Christmas by all means, but refrain from going over the top. I'm sure the real Christmas story didn't include a glowing sleigh with four 6 foot illuminated reindeer surrounded by several thousand coloured light bulbs!

I'm not a 'bah humbug' kind of person, I love Christmas and so does my partner and daughters it's a fantastic time. But I do wonder about the excessive use of some illuminated decorations you often see at this time of year. Perhaps it's a way for some people to get the attention that they crave, I don't know. But a little restraint can go a long way.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the season to all.

Fuel Cell Technology

Fuel cell technology has been with us a long time - invented by a welshman named William Grove in 1839. Despite the technology being around for the last 150 years, it's true potential and actual use has been limited, in fact, practically none existent.
NASA employed the use of fuel cell technology as early as the Apollo missions, some submarines have used them since the 1980's, and most car manufacturers have produced a prototype car to utilise this power source.

Unfortunately, readily available commercial products have been a long time coming, primarily due to the expence of production. This is soon to change with a number of manufacturers developing fuel cell technology for use in mobile phones, laptops and other portable devices.

Personally, I have a particular interest in hydrogen fuel cells in conjunction with photovoltaic cells as a potential power source for our homes. These type of system uses the photovoltaic cells to produce electricity, and any unused, excess power is then used to generate hydrogen which is stored for use in the fuel cell to provide electricity when the solar source isn't readily available (at night for example). This system is very much like the experimental house built by the University of Kebangsaan in Malaysia. Other examples being developed for home use are Panasonic's Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System, a unit that runs on natural gas, and Honda's Home Energy Station III, also running on natural gas and which provides the energy required for the Fuel Cell Car aswell as the home.

There is still a while before a fully self-sufficient system is developed and available for household installation, but I believe it is more a case of when as opposed to if such a fuel cell will become available.

I am very much open to comments and suggestions regarding the idea of household fuel cells, so any comments, links or additional information will be greatfully recieved!

Welcome To The Solar Century!

solarcentury are the UK's leading supplier of photovoltaic panels (solar panels that are able to produce electricity). This year named as the 25th fastest growing British technology company by the Sunday Times, they have completed many installations all over the UK both commercial and domestic.


solarcentury are completely independent from the fossil-fuel industry, and their 50+ member team at the time of writing, is headed by CEO Jeremy Leggett who as well as being the author of the book The Carbon War, was an award-winning scientist, oil-industry consultant, and Greenpeace campaigner.

"Jeremy Leggett is one of the half-dozen experts most responsible for putting climate change issues on the international agenda."

Mark Hertsgaard - Washington Post.

Jeremy has recently completed another book which may be of interest to readers - published in November 2005 by Portobello Books, it's called 'Half Gone' : Peak of Oil, Gas and the Global Energy Crisis.

The technology of solar panels has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, with panels able to be made in many finishes and shapes, from flat to curved, and even plastic and glass laminates an example of which is the glass laminated roof commissioned from solarcentury by Orange for one of their office buildings.

Modern photovoltaic can generate electricity from light regardless of weather conditions, this makes them very suitable for even the UK climate.

Electricity is produced during day light hours, and any unused electricity is either stored for later use (battery or fuel cell for example), or the excess clean power is channeled back to your electricity supplier for which you are paid. An illustration of how a photovoltaic system works can be found on their site, along with many images and explanations of the various installations, materials, and systems that they can supply.

There isn't really much need for me to harp on about the ecological or environmental benefits over conventional electricity production methods; such as oil, coal or nuclear, as this should be immediately obvious. But the benefits to your own pocket in energy costs should be stated, as well as the added value a property aquires with such an installation.

Reducing Water Consumption

Freerain is a UK based company that specialises in what is called Rainwater Harvesting.

This is quite simply collecting the rainwater that falls onto your roof in a suitable tank for later use. The water passes through a primary filter before entering the tank, and is then pumped back out of the tank by a submergable pump when required.

Along with the environmental benefits and the cost of water steadily increasing in the UK, this is something that should not be overlooked. Freerain have completed many installations including contracts for the MoD. They have also recieved a water efficiency award from the Environment Agency in 2003, so are in a perfect position to advise or help you plan a suitable rainwater harvesting system for your chosen project.

Several different installations are available, depending on whether it is commercial or domestic property, the roof size, anual rainfall in the area, and for what purpose the water is needed. Water can even recieve additional filtering and UV sterilisation to provide drinking water in areas that may be remote enough to warrent such a set up.

Some of the benefits to yourself and the environment include not having to rely entirely upon the mains supply, and therefore cheaper water bills. The incidents of flooding can be reduced with more installations, as storm water does not all go back into circulation therefore swelling rivers to flood point. Drought conditions or water shortages (global warming?) also become less of a problem, and the reduced amounts of water to be 'processed' means less strain and demand on treatment plants.

Properties with such a system installed not only become more self-sufficient, but more economical to run, they also gain eco-homes rating points, which in turn can increase the value of the property.

If you are about to build a property or this interests you for an existing building then please visit the Freerain website and find out more. If you are, then this is certainly something worth considering right from the planning stage.

Sustainable Energy - Education

With Christmas just around the corner, how about an educational toy/building kit as a gift? Suitable for 11 years to Adult, and teaches you (amongst other things) about sustainable energy ... I'd love one!


The Power House stocked by Mindware has 20 building projects, and 70 experiments to complete. This mini eco house project includes solar panels, windmill, water heating, a greenhouse, and much more. This is truly an educational piece for any child or adult who may have an interest in ecological issues, and/or sustainable energy. What a fantastic idea, and a novel way to learn about alternative energy!

Sorry I couldn't put a direct link to the product here (kept getting an illegal URL error?), as it looks like the product is no longer available. But, you could try going to mindware.com and doing a search.

Article Index - Site Map

Articles

• Fuel Cell Technology - Basics of Fuel Cells
• Solar Power Part 1 - The basic methods of collectiing the sun

Products and Services

• Sustainable Energy Education - Educational toy with a difference!
• Reducing Your Water Consumption - Rainwater harvesting systems
• Welcome To The Solar Cetury! - A UK solar system supplier
• Time To Mow The Roof? - The 'how to' of turf roofing
• Green Building Bible - Green building manual
• CAT Courses 2006 - Green & Alternative Energy Courses
• Building for a Future - Green, eco friendly building magazine

News & Comments

• Why The Friendly House? - About this site
• I See The Light! - Thoughts on Christmas lighting
• The Woodland Trust - Recycle old Christmas Cards
• Leading by Example - David Camerons environmental makeover!