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How can I collect solar energy?

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Answers to other solar power questions below.

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Solar power or energy is simply using the sun’s rays to produce electricity or heat water.

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (PV) are the process by which the sun’s rays are turned into DC electricity. Today, most photovoltaic modules/solar panels use silicone as their major component. Silicone cells manufactured from one ton of sand can produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of coal. This clean, reliable source of electrical energy is regarded as the future of energy production. Solar electricity is becoming more attractive and affordable as there are advancements in technology, government assistance, and as demand helps to lower solar system costs.

Solar cells are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicone. A thin semiconductor wafer is specially treated to form an electric field, positive on one side and negative on the other. When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material. Electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides and the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current or electricity.

A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage, such as a common 12 or 24-volt system. The electricity produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module.

Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array. The larger the area of a module/panel or array, the more electricity is produced. Most photovoltaic modules and arrays produce direct-current (DC) electricity, however there are some new panels that have micro inverters in the panel structure that change the DC to AC power.

The federal, state and municipal tax incentives are the best for solar above any other type of renewable energy. Cash rebates are offered by some state energy programs as well as utility companies for solar electricity and solar water heating. The price of solar panels has fallen by up to 50% in recent years and the efficiency has increased. All of these considerations make solar energy very attractive for the average homeowner.

How Solar Water Heating Works

A solar water heater uses the sun's energy to preheat household water generally before it enters the conventional gas (or electric) water heater. Standard residential solar water heating systems reduce the need for water heating by about two thirds.  Most of the solar water heating systems have two main parts, a solar collector and a storage tank. The most common collector used in home solar water heating systems is a flat plate collector.

A flat plate collector is a shallow rectangular box that has a clear glazed surface. An absorber plate is under the glazing which contains many small copper tubes running through it which then connect into a larger copper manifold. This type of collector is generally 4’ wide by 8’ long and 4” to 6” deep, but can also come in other similar sizes.

The sun’s energy is absorbed by the absorber plate, which heats up. The heat of the plate transfers to the copper tubing and warms the circulating water. To keep the water from freezing in colder climates, food-grade antifreeze is added. This heated water/antifreeze is then held in the storage tank ready for use. It is a simple, yet effective technology with an efficiency rating of about 54%.

The federal tax incentives for solar water heating are the same as for solar electricity production. Click on the highlighted link above to research our tax incentive and rebate pages.

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Get more answers by clicking on these other solar energy articles.

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