Benefits of Solar Energy

Archive for the ‘Solar Energy Uses’ Category

Could one grow grass or other plants on the roof, and somehow collect the energy made via photosynthesis and use for power?

There are a number of crops that are better producers of ethanol stock than corn, which uses too much water, etc. The most obvious use is growing food, which provides direct energy for you. Any organic materials can be grown, cut, burned directly for energy or composted to make methane and soil enhancers.

Photovoltaic Conversion

Uses sheets of special materials to make electricity from the sun. "Photo-" means "light," and "voltaic" means "producing electricity."

A “cell” is a device that produces electricity. An example of an electrical cell is a flashlight battery. Photovoltaic cells produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels. The panels contain two layers of different materials.

I need help for my science project

Solar energy is an energy source. Except for Nuclear energy, some geothermal energy, and tidal energy it is the primary source. From solar energy we get or has developed:

Planetary Cycles
—Solar energy maintains a higher heat on the surface of our planet than would be otherwise
—The water cycle is driven by solar energy, from this we get hydroelectric power
—Wind is generated by surface temperature differences
—wave action is driven by the wind

All Life
—all green plant life uses solar energy for photosynthesis
—all animal life is dependent upon the energy captured by photosynthesis
—Our bodies manufacture vitamin "D" from solar energy.

We use solar energy for heat and electricity
—Fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil) (heat, industrial processes, transportation)
—Wind (power and transportation: sailing)
—Hydroelectric power
—Wave power
—Solar electric power
—photovoltaic energy
—ground source heat pump energy (heat)
—solar designed homes (heat and hot water)

give a list of how solar energy is used in daily life.

Solar energy is used by plants to generate oxygen and food sugars, without which all animal life will die. Solar energy is used by the human body in the production of Vitamin D and seratonin, both essential for body construction and mood elevation.

Aside from that, solar energy may be captured by mirrors to generate heat, even enough in a solar furnace to melt metals. It can also be focused on silicon panels to generate direct current electricity that may be stored or converted into alternating current electricity. Solar energy can also be captured by plant life, then combusted to generate steam for electricity or burned in vehicles from the methane or hydrogen produced from treatment of the plant materials.

I want to find a stove and air conditioner that are energy efficient. The air condioner has to use solar energy and less than 500 watts. Can somebody send me the link of where i can find these products?

Also, can you turn on and off solat power lights?

I don’t know if I can answer your question in the fashion you wish it to be answered. I don’t know of any specific manufacturer which makes either a solar powered A/C unit or stove. There are many smaller appliances that are solar powered or portable solar arrays to power small appliances.

To give you an thought, a portable room A/C unit uses 1200 watt to start the unit and 1000 watts to run. With my simple mind, it would take at least 6 @ 200 watts panels or more (I’m do not have any solar power training, so consult a professional). If you are looking to go green for your home, look into purchasing a solar system. The price has been falling over the years and the technology has been improving. In addition, there are many grants and tax incentives to make it more affordable. Solar system are making more economic sense today.

I want to use solar energy at home.

Consider using solar lighting which can be cost effective introduction to solar power. Kits are available with solar panel, regulator, lights, battery, switches and cable. Other DC devices can be run from the battery.
I have used solar panels to maintain charge in batteries for standby generators.
Solar power can be connected to a grid feed inverter to save on power bills or earn money.
Consider what free electricity from the sun for 30 years is worth.

Ex: Outdoor lighting. I know you can just buy solar lights, but I can’t find the deco. I am looking for, so I want to plug my lights into some type of a solar energy source? Is that an option?
where would I go about finding such an item?

nope
solar energy is d/c current. most appliances are a/c

That statistic isn’t really tracked by anyone. One way of approximating – One contractor’s association for companies that do solar power/heating installations in Cal has member listings that run to 11 pages.

Why is it practical to use solar energy as a resouce in Colorado

It’s plentiful and free.

I am doing a science project and I need to find out if solar panels are an environmentally feasible way to heat a pool compared to the #2 diesel that is currently being used. Is there a calculator that I could use to see how much energy a solar panel uses?

What you need is a solar pool heater. It is a series of plastic panels that you run your pool water through using your existing pool pump. As the water runs through them, they get heated by the sun, just like if you leave a hose in the yard, the water inside gets very hot. Since you are using your existing pool pump, no extra electricity is used. You can see some data on it at http://www.hi-tecsolar.com/whysolar.html.

To size a system, you use anywhere from 70% to 100% of the pool’s surface area to determine how many panels. A 10′ x 40′ pool is 400 sq ft, it would need anywhere from 280 to 400 sq ft of panels. That kit will cost less than $2000, and can heat the pool to around 10 degrees F higher than the air temp. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Pool-Heaters-and-Pumps/Unglazed-Solar-Pool-Heating/Guardian-Solar-Pool-Heating/Leveredge-Guardian-Pool-Heating-Package-400-SqFt/p7353/.

This is MUCH more cost effective than using solar electric panels to power an electric pool heater. Depending on what fuel is currently used to heat the pool, a system can pay for itself in a year or two.