Solar Energy and Water Heating

Solar energy has a lot of applications in today’s energy guzzling world. It proves a clean alternative of almost limitless energy. One of the uses to which solar energy is being put is for heating water by the use of solar water heaters.

solar heating systems are mainly made up of photovoltaic or thermal panels which collect the solar energy falling on them and store it with the help of special cells. A special fluid designed to carry heat transfer the energy from the collection point to the point where it will be used. Solar water heating systems can be used in homes and also commercially. Hot water for bathing, swimming pools etc. are some of the specific places where the solar heating and solar lighting system is being used.

Solar thermal heating systems can be divided into two types, mainly the active and passive types. These systems are normally used combined with electrical or other power sources. If the temperature of the water in the tank falls below a certain pre defined level, the electrical heating system kicks in and hot water can be obtained. This system works well and is used throughout the world.

In order to collect solar energy, a solar panel is installed on a roof or a place which get a lot of sunlight throughout the day. The solar panels are called collectors. They are usually made simply using light absorbent sheet metal and are painted black. A tank is used to store the heat. This tank has to be big. This is because it has to be capable of storing a large amount of water in case of bad weather. The tank has to be well insulated as well to prevent heat loss through cooling.

A working fluid is also an integral part of solar water heaters. This fluid is sometimes the water in the tank, at other times it can be a special fluid specially made capable of holding a large amount of heat. This is the fluid which carries the water to its outlet and sometimes it also carries the water back in certain kinds of solar water heating systems.

Hot water obtained by solar energy can be used for many purposes. Using hot water to generate electricity is a primary way in which solar heated water is being used. Electricity can be generated by using two differently doped pieces of silicon. These are joined at a junction on a solar panel and electric wires are attached to both ends. When an electron on the surface of the panel receiving energy is excited, it drives a current through the wire to generate electricity. Also, another way to generate electricity using solar heated water is by bringing the water to a boil and then using the steam to generate electricity.

Solar water heating is most beneficial in hot countries where anti freezing techniques don’t need to be used. The presence of a lot of sun throughout the year makes this a very financially viable option for the average household. In cold countries, with the use of proper equipment, solar water heating can be utilized to save costs and cut down on fossil fuel usage by saving electricity.