DIY Solar Power
There are many different ways to make use of the light and heat energy emitted by the sun. Some common ideas include:
- Taking advantage of the heat given off by the sun to regulate home temperature (passive solar energy)
- With the help of mirrors, thermal solar collectors can amplify the heat of the sun and pass it on to water or other substances
- The light emitted by the sun can be converted into electricity with photovoltaic cells
When done effectively, taking advantage of the heat and light energy displaced by the sun can have a substantial impact on your monthly bills. Harnessing the suns power in this sense is known as Passive Solar Power. A few ideas to help you take advantage of the suns passive energy include:
- Insulation! This is probably the most important step in taking advantage of passive solar energy. Make sure that your walls, ceilings, and floors are appropriately insulated. Also check around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Proper insulation in a house should result in an inside temperature that stays relatively constant
- Another effective technique for keeping warm air in or cold air out is using curtains. Similarly, window shutters or clear insulating strips can also do a good job at regulating inside temperatures.
- Strategically placed vegetation, both inside and outside can help prevent heat from entering your home. When placed around windows or door ways, plants serve as a sort of heat barrier and can surprisingly keep a house quite cool in the summer. In addition to this, plants also provide fresh air, which is a nice thing to have!
Solar Power to Heat Water: since the sun is the hottest thing around, it makes sense to use its tremendous temperature output to heat your home. By concentrating this heat output, one can easily warm water or a space (temperatures can reach up to boiling point!).
With the help of a device known as a thermal collector, it is possible to use the suns high temperature output to heat water or air. A thermal collector essentially houses metal plates covered by a sheet of glass. The warmth is absorbed by these plates and then transferred to the substance that needs to be heated. This substance can then be collected in a well insulated storage tank or used immediately.
The Basic Explanation of Light for Electricity: the lights energy is captured by photovoltaic panels, and is then converted to electricity by the said panels. As soon as the suns rays are turned to electricity, it can be used just as we normally use grid supplied electric.
About the author: Miles Novak is a writer and enthusiast of home energy. Check out his site for a guide to Do it Yourself products and Home Energy Solutions.