Photovoltaic cells (for soalr panels) are made from a substance called polysilicon. This substance is actually in short supply at the moment which could lead to inferior solar panels using an alternative silicon compound.
More here ...
Showing posts with label solar panels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar panels. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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.
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.
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:
- Solar Water Heating.
- Solar Cells (Photovoltaic).
- 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.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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