solar thermal
Solar thermal technology has a variety of domestic, commercial and industrial applications. They range in scale from simple cooking techniques, to large scale industrial power generation.
Cooking
There are two main types of solar thermal cooking technologies, direct solar concentrators and solar ovens.
Direct solar concentrators
Direct solar concentrators use reflectors to focus the suns rays onto a cooking container, achieving temperatures as high as 350°C. The reflectors used vary in design, with disc, flat plate and parabolic trough the most common types. They all require direct sunlight to operate and thus are most commonly used in countries where overcast days are rare.
Solar ovens
Solar ovens basically comprise of an insulated, internally reflective box with a transparent lid. Pots are placed within the box and can be heated to temperatures between 50 and 100°C. Although the temperatures are significantly lower than those achieved using direct solar concentrators, this system does have the advantage of being able to operate on overcast days.
Water heating
Domestic water heating is the most common use of solar thermal energy. In these systems solar energy is collected via solar panels and used to provide a significant portion of the total energy requirement for water heating within a home. This results in dramatically reduced conventional energy bills, particularly during the summer months.
These systems operate by either heating water directly within the solar collectors or by heating a transfer fluid that is then used to heat water via a heat exchange system. The water is moved from the collectors to a water tank either passively using thermodynamics or actively with an electric pump system.
There are two main types of solar collector, flat panel and vacuum tube. Flat panel collectors are cheap but inefficient whereas vacuum tube based collectors are more efficient but more costly.
Room heating, cooling and ventilation
Solar thermal technology can be used for both heating and ventilating rooms.
Room heating
Room heating is achieved by using materials of high thermal mass such as concrete, water or stone to store solar energy during the day, which can then be released when room temperatures drop.Â
Room cooling
It may seem odd that the suns heat can be used to actually cool air spaces but it is in fact true. There are multiple methods of solar air cooling one example being an absorption refrigerator. This works by using a source of heat (the sun) to drive a cooling system.
Ventilation
One example of a solar thermal ventilation system is the solar chimney. Solar chimneys use solar energy to heat air within them causing an up draft and therefore circulating air throughout a building.
Power generation
Solar energy can be used to generate electricity. This is achieved by using solar energy to drive steam or gas turbines. To reach the extreme temperatures required for efficient conversion to electricity, solar radiation must be concentrated by lenses or mirrors. This is known as concentrated solar power. As the sun moves throughout the day the lenses or mirrors used to concentrate the sunlight must also move to ensure that the solar radiation is focused in the correct position.
There are a variety of methods for concentrating the suns radiation and tracking the sun:
Solar towers
These consist of a central tower which houses a receiver for the solar radiation and an array of flat mirrors that reflect sun light onto the receiver. The mirrors are movable so that they can track the sun to maintain focus upon the receiver.
Parabolic trough
This is a curved reflective trough which reflects sunlight onto a pipe which contains a heat transfer fluid. The pipe is positioned above the reflectors and runs parallel to them. The trough can be tilted so that it can follow the position of the sun and maintain the focus of the suns radiation on the pipe. This design is less efficient than the solar tower system described above as the temperatures reached are lower.
Dishes
Dish systems use a large, reflective dish to focus light on a receiver that is positioned above the dish. The parabolic dish is movable so that it can track the suns position and maintain optimal focus.
Solar Energy Solution install solar panels for solar water heating across the UK.
PS 10 Solar thermal power station
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Crocodile Creek Food Jar - Solar System
$16.04 Beautifully designed eco-friendly, stainless steel food jars fits perfectly in Crocodile Creek Lunch boxes! Double-wall insulated to keep school lunches hot (or cold). Extra wide mouth is easy to fill. Cool to the touch with hot foods and sweat-proof with cold foods. Both interior and exterior walls are made from #304 Stainless Steel. Hand washing recommended. Conforms to or exceeds U.S. and Europ... |
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MAB-850 Solar thermal panels with evacuated tubes on roof of Worcestershire Photo Mugs
MAB-850 Solar thermal panels with evacuated tubes on roof of Worcestershire House provide domestic hot water UK Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 .... |
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MAB-951 Solar thermal installation Bauer OPC 15 evacuated tubes on roof Photo Mugs
MAB-951 Solar thermal installation Bauer OPC 15 evacuated tubes on roof Bewdley UK Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 .... |
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Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10)
$0.68 Disposable rescue blanket keeps in body heat and preserves body temperature. Small enough to fit in most first aid kits.... |
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Gila LES361 Heat Control Residential Window Film, Platinum, 36-Inch by 15-Feet
$28.99 36" x 15' Insulating Retains up to 55% winter heating Reflects up to 70% summer heat Reduces up to 99% UV rays Safe for duel panes Covers approximately two patio doors, seven 24" X 36" windows. Platinum Boxed... |
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Quake Kare Emergency Thermal Blankets (4 Pack)
$2.89 This compact blanket provides warmth (retains and reflects up to 90 of body heat), a waterproof and windproof shelter barrier, and a covering to help reduce shock when someone is injured. Emergency thermal blanket to be used as emergency shelter. Also great for camping, hiking, and surviving the cold outdoors. Excellent as liner of sleeping bag.... |
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Power My Party Boat / Rocket-Powered Bass Boat
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Classic Light & Light Bulb Films DVD: 1940s - 1960s History Of Artificial Light Including The Science Of Light Films
$12.99 We've collected four rare light films onto one educational DVD packed with great old footage that was lost in the vaults for years until it was digitized and preserved for the future. You can't find this DVD collection anywhere else because we've designed it ourselves. Come shed some light on the history of science with these illuminating films! Table Of Contents: (1) White Magic (1940) - This Jam... |
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Power My Party Boat / Rocket-Powered Bass Boat [HD]
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Intex Krystal Clear 15-Foot Solar Pool Cover
$29.99 Enjoy warm water and a longer swimming season! Helps keep pool water warmer. Reduce water evaporation by 95% Easy and economical to use Reusable carry bag for easy storage Fits 15' Diameter Round Pools... |
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Solar Cooling Handbook (Hardcover)
$76.25 Our energy system faces a fundamental transformation and renewable energies will play a dominant role in the future energy supply. One of the promising solutions is the use of solar thermal energy in buildings, for cooling, heating and domestic hot wat... |
