Tag: Solar energy

Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating

08/15/18

“How can we warm our homes using solar energy?”

 

Solar panels are famous for providing clean and cheap energy. However, that’s not the only thing they can give. A typical solar panel will convert 14% of the energy it receives from the sun into electricity, while the rest is dissipated as heat. This extra heat can be used to heat incoming air which can then be funneled down a vent into an energy transfer module which not only warms a building’s water supply but also provides nice filtered air to the interior space. This system is known as Solar Water Heating and is one of the most exciting technologies in development.

Phase-Change Materials for Solar PV Cooling

Phase-Change Materials for Solar PV Cooling

Phase-Change Materials for Solar PV Cooling

08/14/18

“What is an innovative way to cool solar PV?”

 

Solar PV has the highest growth rate amongst all forms of energy. However, in order to operate effectively, it must be at a stable temperature. One way to do this is to use something known as Phase-Change Materials. Phase-Change Materials are high heat coefficient materials at their phase-change temperature. Because they have a high heat coefficient, they can absorb a large amount of heat without fully changing their state. Phase-Change Materials are employed in Building-Integrated Solar PV Systems to keep them at optimal temperatures.

Rigid Solar Conduits

Rigid Solar Conduits

Rigid Solar Conduits

06/17/18

“What type of solar conduits do we use when we need extra strong support?”

 

Solar Conduits are vital for keeping solar infrastructure alive. However, sometimes we need to have extra support. That’s where Rigid Solar Conduits come in. Although they are better for longer or runs, their extra strength makes it more difficult to integrate with bends and turns.

California Rule 21

California Rule 21

California Rule 21

06/07/18

“What governs how Californian solar connects to the grid?”

 

Solar energy is booming in California. But as more is put on, the variable fluctuations must be controlled. To solve this, California has created a standard known as Rule 21 which governs how grid-tied power producing plants can connect to the grid. The first phase of this includes a Smart Inverter requirement which allows disconnection from the grid in the case of wild solar fluctuations.

PWM Solar Controllers

PWM Solar Controllers

PWM Solar Controllers

05/15/18

“What is the current industry standard solar controller?”

 

On/Off Solar Controllers are great for simple and inexpensive projects. But sometimes we need to have more efficient solar control. One way to accomplish this is to vary the power of the battery depending on how full the battery is. The more empty a battery is, the more power it will receive, and the opposite when it is near full. This setup is known as a PWM Solar Controller and is the Greentech industry standard.

On/Off Solar Controllers

On/Off Solar Controllers

On/Off Solar Controllers

05/14/18

“What is the simplest type of Solar Controller?”

 

Solar Controllers come in all different types of varieties. But if we are strapped on finances, what is the simplest one that we can make? Well, wouldn’t it be a solar controller that simply turned on when there was sunlight and the battery was not full and off when not? This is the basics behind On/Off Solar Controllers, which are commonly used for inexpensive setups.

Solar Charge Controllers

Solar Charge Controllers

Solar Charge Controllers

05/13/18

“How can we keep batteries from being overcharged by solar panels?”

 

Solar Plus Storage Systems are a revolution in the renewable energy industry. Their ability to not only capture but store energy from the sun allows for true grid integration. However, often times there is a voltage mismatch between the solar panels and the batteries. If left unchecked, then the batteries can sustain great damage. But how can we use our engineering mindsets to solve this? Well, what if we were to simply put in a form of control to regulate the incoming and outgoing voltage and current? This is the fundamental principle behind Solar Charge Controllers, almost a must-have for Solar Plus Storage Systems.