The Benefits of Solar Panel Energy & Solar Water Heating Systems

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

The Benefits of Solar Panel Energy & Solar Water Heating Systems

We wake up with the sun, but never think how its energy can be utilized in a different manner. The sun is the ultimate source of energy for us, and its rays can be harnessed for all our energy needs. According to a study in 2010, there seems to be a change in trends. Nowadays, homeowners prefer homes that are equipped with solar setups and are willingly paying more for it. The advantages of a solar water heater are immense, and its benefits always give satisfaction and peace of mind.   Energy Efficiency   A solar water heater gives you an efficient, clean and sustainable form of water heating solution to your home. It utilizes the heat energy of the sun’s radiation, effectively heat water and supplies it directly to water taps. The sun is an unlimited source of immense power, which is free for everyone to use. With all these combined, a solar unit can provide you with perfect hot water without using a single unit of electricity.   Renewable Heat Incentive   The electricity that is generated by solar panels or saved by using water heaters can be sold back to the utility and power companies and homeowners can earn money, business power credits and other benefits. For a typical setup generating 2kW of power, one can yield a return of something around $2000 over a span of 20 years, accompanied by environment benefits.   Solar Water Heating   Solar water heaters are available in different sizes and types, the amount of water it can provide depends upon the tank size. A typical family of four will require a minimum tank size of 350 liters to meet their everyday hot water needs. The space required for installation is not a big factor, as solar panels are fitted onto the roofs and the tank it situated on the top. In terms of aesthetics and appearances, solar heaters are noticeable in an unwelcome...

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Basics and Economics of Solar Hot Water

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

Basics and Economics of Solar Hot Water

The Sun emits huge amounts of energy, out of which only 1% reaches our earth. This 1% of sun’s radiation is enough to power the earth and its habitat for centuries. When on a sunny day, we climb back to our car parked in the sun, the seat is uncomfortably warm, even the steering wheel is too hot to hold. All this happens because of the entrapment of the heat inside the car, due to the glass windows and visor. Glass does allow heat to go in, but not to go out, this effect called the greenhouse effect. This is the same principle that most solar water heaters use for their working.   In many homes where solar water heaters are used, they are able to save more than 30% of their overall electricity bills on water heating, which otherwise would have been wasted. A solar water heater is a proficient and an eco-friendly way to reduce costs on water heating. Due to the green movement and sustainable development, federal governments provide tax credits, loans, and benefits for those who install solar heaters.   Countries from all over the world are showing lots of eagerness and enthusiasm to develop alternative forms of energy by setting up research centers, infrastructure and supplying investment. Solar water heating system heats water by using solar energy, which is free of cost, and while heating water no damage is caused in the environment. So it is one of the safe and efficient ways to deliver hot water.   When we use such systems, there is no dependency on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels, which pollute the environment while giving hot water.   A solar water system has mainly four parts. Water storage tank to store the water which is needed to be heated, solar thermal collectors, which traps the heat of the sun and helps to heat the water, interconnecting pipes, which is used to mobilize hot and cold water and fluid systems that transfer the heat energy from the collector to the tank.   This industry has undergone several changes and innovations in the last few years. The water heaters available nowadays are much more advanced and efficient. They can be installed in a few hours if wall reinforcements are not required; they are also aesthetically pleasing and have auto temperature controls. All these characteristics and benefits make it a great...

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Applications of solar Energy: Solar Water Heater

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

Applications of solar Energy: Solar Water Heater

As we are in the twenty first century, the cost of non renewable sources of energy is enhancing every day. In such a scenario, solar water heaters are in high demand.   Solar water heaters are being used worldwide especially in India, US, China and many other African countries. US was the first country to utilize solar power to heat water. It has gained popularity as it is very much economical than fossil fuels. However in earlier days when the price of fossil fuels was not that much, it was not in demand at that time.   Types of solar water heaters   Usually there are two types of solar water heaters. They are an active type and passive type. The only difference between them is the way the liquid is circulated inside them; an active consists of circulating pumps and controls, whereas a passive is much simpler in design and working. This article will go deep into Active solar water heaters.   Types of Solar panels   Three different types of solar collectors are used in solar water heaters. They are Flat-plate collectors, Integral collector-storage system and evacuated-tube solar collectors.   1. Flat plate collectors- These collectors are flat in shape and consist of different layers of surfaces. A layer of glass or plastic is placed at the top where the sunlight falls. The box of the collector is properly insulated and weather shield and is the most common collectors.   2. Integral collector storage system-These collectors are being used in cold areas where there is not sufficient solar energy available to heat water. In such collectors, the water is first heated and then passed to the tank and after that it is again heated by a heater in order to get good quality of hot water.   3. Evacuated-tube solar collectors-In such solar collectors, there are many tubes, which are made up of glass and metal and positioned in such a manner that every glass tube is parallel to each other. The tubes are located so that direct sunlight falls on them. The outer part of the tube is made of glass, and the inner part of the glass is made of metal. The metal part plays the role of absorber which absorbs heat. Such types of solar collectors are installed in the place where there is an adequate supply of heat which can be absorbed. It also helps to reduce the loss due to...

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Solar water heaters are a 120 Crore market in India

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

Solar water heaters are a 120 Crore market in India

In a country like India, there is a market of Rs 600 Crore only in domestic water heater, in which Rs 120 Crore consists of solar water heaters and the rest consists of electric and gas heaters. But the market of solar water heaters of Rs 120 crore is not too much if we consider the population of India. India’s population is around 120 Crores, which means 5 Rs per year a person is being spent on domestic water heater.   There are almost 200 million houses in India in which 40 million households reside the middle class. Out of them, only 10 million households have their yearly income more than Rs 5 lakhs.   It is very necessary to use solar water heaters in India as only 0.7 million households use solar water heaters which is less than 2 percent of the total middle class families present. On the other hand, there are 25 million families who are using solar water heaters in China.   As China is using the resource in a very useful way, and it is successful as well, which means that this technique has a potential to replace other means to heat water. According to some newspaper there will be a growth of around 500 to 600 percent in the solar water heater segment by...

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How to Choose a Solar Water Heater

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

How to Choose a Solar Water Heater

It is really a satisfying feeling when you do something realizing that it will make the earth a better and greener place to live. Getting a solar water heater installed in your home is a move, which can be considered to be eco-friendly and one that will be cherished throughout your life. Many a times, we may not have the required know-how about how sustainable science works, and how to reduce your carbon footprint. But whatever it may be, we should never hesitate before going for an eco-friendly option if it is available. This will surely do something to make the lives of our children better, and they will thank you for that. This article explains how to choose a solar water heater as per your requirements and budget.   Know how it works   Getting a solar water heater can be a daunting task as initial investments are high. A simple passive type solar water heater consists of a solar collector tank and tubes which are made up of glass. A solar water heater uses the heat radiations of the sun to heat water to an optimum temperature and sends it directly to our taps for use. The simple passive water heater relies on gravity and physics to transfer water from the roof to your taps while the active one has its own pumping arrangements.   Stick to the Principles   All solar water heaters use the same basic principle to heat water with slight modifications. A solar powered water heater can basically be categorized into “Active” and “Passive” systems. The Active system uses storage tanks, electric pumps, and anti-freeze liquid, reflecting mirrors and is more costly than the Passive ones.   The passive system depends upon the natural tendency of hot water to move up the pipes, and the warm water is collected in a tank situated above, they are suitable for most of the houses and demand less structural considerations and cost. In ICS (Integral Collector and Storage) system, water first passes through a storage tank where it gets slightly heated before going into a conventional water heater and acts like an auxiliary water heater.   Climate   As a solar system depends on the sun as their source of power, the climate plays an important factor for installation. Direct circulation systems are well suited for tropical climates, but when there is no sun or where the climate remains on the colder side throughout the year, going for an active solar system is a much more reliable...

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Government Support to Promote Indian Solar Home Lighting Systems Market

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in Posts

Government Support to Promote Indian Solar Home Lighting Systems Market

Solar home lighting systems are used for supporting small loads in households. The rural financial institute promotes and gives priority to solar home lighting. This is a way to provide electricity for the non-electrified and under-electrified in households of most villages. Solar Home lightening systems (SHLSs) have shown its significance of annual growth around 22 percent found by our research report “Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012” during 2012 to 2013. This growth has been achieved by the support of state government and central government. Our research report says that most of the states with an initiation by the Indian government will start promoting solar water heating systems, by offering low tariffs. Various states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi etc. have already started promoting solar water heating systems. During the 11th plan period by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy selected Rajkot as the developed solar city. According to research, many factors will encourage solar powered equipment industry in India and will increase the additional participation in the industry. Analysis has been done by the “Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012” which shows thorough current study of the Indian solar energy market according to state wise growth potential. The research says that the present and future situations and scenarios may occur in the market of Solar thermal and Photovoltaic segments including all other solar products like Solar Water Heating Systems, Street Lighting System, Solar Cookers, Solar Home Lighting Systems, Solar Power Plants, Solar Lanterns, and Photovoltaic Pumps. The developments shown in various states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal etc. is provided by the report. The report also provides the detailed information on key players of relevant industry to their...

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