Amazing uses of solar power in your home
The use of solar energy in the home in recent years had reached a remarkable edge. The continuous research for an alternative power source due to the perceived scarcity of fuel fossils is its driving force.
Definitely anything that requires electricity can be powered by solar energy. Its application was proven to be most economical, as most systems in individual uses requires but a few kilowatt of power.
Solar powered equipments and appliances are also clean and non- polluting. It was classified as one of the renewable source of energy, highly reliable and requires little maintenance.
Solar energy is inexhaustible. The earth receives in just one hour more energy from the sun than what we consume in the whole world for one year.
In places where power supply is hard to get through or have no access to the electricity grid, solar power is the preferred solution. Using solar power energy converters are configured to be less expensive than extending the grid to reach those far flung locations
What really are the main ways where solar power is used in the homes today? In recent times, there are a thousand and one ways where solar energy is used in the homes. What are mentioned in this page are just but the tip of the iceberg to wit:
- TV and radio, telephony or radio telephones, refrigeration equipments and other home appliances. Remote homes with sufficient sun exposures can obtain cheap and reliable electricity to meet basic needs for lighting and radio and television using a simple PV system comprising of a PV panel, a rechargeable battery to store the energy captured during daylight hours, a regulator and the necessary wirings and switches.
- Water supply system. PV systems can be used to pump water in remote areas .it can be part of a potable water supply system. Specialized solar water pumps are designed for submersible use or to float on open waters. To meet larger requirements of water supply in an off-grid location, the PV sometimes is backed with a small diesel generator so that the PV system would no longer be sized to cope the worst sunlight conditions during the year.
- Area lighting. Solar energy can be used to power area lighting to enable more outdoor activities after dark, illuminate signs and advertising boards and improve security.
- Consumer products. Calculators, toys and recreational vehicles may be used with a solar power system. These consumer gadgets require only small amount of energy.
The fact that there are two billion people in the world who do not have access to electricity through power grid means that solar power is their only cheapest choice. But still many can’t afford it. The next challenge for government and private sector as well as those who are engaged in the solar power research is to bring the price of owning a PV system in the home more affordable although in recent surveys, the decline cost path is averaging at 4% per anum.
Prices of solar energy had been consistently going down in the last two decades. This is because of the continuous drive of both government and non-government efforts in advancing the cause of solar energy uses and research. It is seen that in the end of this decade, the industry will come to break-even cost with other grid connected power source thus giving more opportunity for the intended consumers to avail of its services.
December 25th, 2007 - Posted in Solar Energy News | |
