Solar
Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings, for generating electricity, and for hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial applications.
Solar Thermal
What is solar water heating?
Solar water heating utilises the power of the sun to produce hot water and work in tandem with traditional water heating systems. Various types of equipment have been designed to work in different situations, both domestic and commercial.
What are the benefits?
Solar water heating systems are not only cost effective but can also help reduce CO2 emissions. Up to a third of hot water requirements can be provided, saving a substantial amount on fuel costs, depending on the type of fuel replaced.
How does it work?
Generally, solar panels are fitted to the roof of a property. These panels gather radiated heat from the sun, using a heat transfer system to convert the heat collected into hot water which is stored to supply heating and hot water needs as required later. The two main types of solar panels are flat plate systems with transparent covers feeding an absorbent plate, or evacuated tube systems with rows of glass tubes where the absorber plate feeds a manifold to transmit the heated water.
Photovoltaic
What are Photovoltaic systems?
Photovoltaic systems (solar PV) utilise the sun’s energy, converting this to electricity which is stored in cells. PV systems do not need direct sunlight and continue to generate some electricity even on cloudy days because they only require daylight to operate.
What are the benefits?
PV systems can substantially reduce CO2 emissions and produce no greenhouse gases. In areas of high solar gain, there can be a marked cost saving on fuel bills.
How does it work?
Photovoltaic systems use PV cells to convert sunlight into power. The cells generate an electric field across layers of a semi-conductor. The degree of power generated depends on the intensity of light, with more electricity being produced on sunny days and less on dull days or if the panels are in shaded for part of the day. Systems can be grid-connected, requiring very little maintenance, or standalone, requiring a higher degree of maintenance on system components such as storage batteries.