How To Use Solar Energy

2012-07-17T08:25:00.001-04:00

Top Stories Facts on Solar Power The world is facing a lot of problems including that of environmental concerns like pollution and global warming. Despite these problems, people should not despair. In every problem, there is always a solution and this solution has been available for many years now. It’s just that many people fail to realize its importance and efficacy. Researchers and scientists have already discovered solar power many years ago but because of the lack of technological knowledge, the idea was not pursued. Solar power was mainly used for powering small electrical devices. But now, with the great technological advancements, people are hoping that solar power will soon become widely accessible even to ordinary individuals. In the US, solar power is used in the different states but it it’s not that prevalent. Huge solar panels are quite expensive and ordinary people can’t afford to pay for them. You can now find solar power kits which are less costly and the price range from $200 to $500. Before you consider using solar power, here are some facts that you need to be aware of: 1. Albert Einstein received a Nobel Prize in 1921 for his experiments on photovoltaic and solar power. 2. Silicon from a ton of sand can be used in photovoltaic panels to generate the same amount of electricity that a 500,000 T of burning coals can produce. 3. 10,000 US households are now using solar energy to power their homes. 4. John Herschel (British Astronomer) was able to cook food by using solar power 200 years ago during his African journey. 5. In 1982, the first large scale power plants was opened in California. 6. If you can use solar power in your home’s heating system, you can slash the electric bill by 50%. 7. In the last thirty years, the price of solar panels has dropped considerably by at least 200%. Solar power kits can now be purchased from $200-$500. 8. In the year 2000, USDOE claimed that solar power is almost perfect (99%) in San Francisco; since California gets a lot of sunlight, 200 megawatts of green electricity can be generated if all the rooftops of county buildings and homes are covered with PV panels. By including school buildings, an added 1,500 megawatts is achievable. The generated power is enough to cover the city’s electrical needs during an entire day. 9. Germany is now using solar power despite its undesirable climate. The energy generated during sunny days is stored in batteries. 10. Energy from the sun travels for approximately 8 minutes to reach Earth. If you’re interested in solar power and you want to try it out, you can start with a solar power kit. It is affordable and easy to assemble. The materials can be purchased from local hardware stores and the guides are easy to understand as well. Make sure that you purchase a kit that is manufactured by a prominent and trusted company to ensure efficiency. Some manufacturers also provide warranty for 10-15 years; take advantage of these great deals. The facts mentioned earlier will help you to decide whether you can benefit from solar power or not. If you live in an area where there is lots of sunlight all throughout the year, solar power is an excellent choice. Solar power is free and clean. After your initial investment, you no longer have to pay for the energy.

2012-06-28T00:36:00.001-04:00

A Bright Future for Solar Energy: An Alternative Energy Source I was first introduced to solar energy in the movie, Race the Sun with James Belushi and Halley Berry in the lead. It was a story about low- income and under achieving Hawaiian students encouraged by their teacher to join the Solar Car race. In the movie, a car shaped like a cockroach and covered with solar panels used the sun’s rays as an alternative energy source to run the car. Solar energy is the light and the heat from the sun. Solar energy is free and its supplies are unlimited. There are n air and water pollution caused about by using solar energy. But there is still some impacts on the environment although indirect. Photovoltaic cells used to convert sunlight into electricity uses silicon and also produce some waste materials. There are also large solar thermal farms and these farms can also be harmful to the environment and desert ecosystems if not properly managed. Solar energy can be used on different aspects. Solar energy can be used in agriculture. Greenhouses (which is entirely different from greenhouse gas) convert solar light to heat to be maximized in enhancing the growth of plants and crops. Greenhouses has been around since the Roman times and modern greenhouses were built in Europe in 16th century. Greenhouses are still an important part of horticulture nowadays, Daylight systems are also being used to maximize the energy released by the sun. It is used to provide interior illumination replacing the artificial lighting. Daylight systems include sawtooth roofs, light shelf, skylights, and light tube. Daylight systems when they are properly implemented can reduce lighting-related energy consumption by 25 percent. Solar energy can also be developed into solar thermal technologies which can be used for water heating, space heating, space cooling and process heat generation. Solar energy can also be used to distil water and make saline or brackish water potable or drinkable. The solar water disinfection or SODIS involves exposing water-filled plastic polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles. This process takes a long time, since the exposure time varies on the weather conditions. It requires a minimum of six hours to two days during days with overcast conditions. Currently, there are two million people in developing centuries use SODIS for their daily drinking water needs. Also sunlight can be converted into electricity using photovoltaics or PV. PV has been mainly used to power small and medium-sized things like a calculator powered by a single solar cell. There are homes powered by photovoltaics. Using solar energy for water and space heating is the most widely use application of solar energy. While ventilation and solar air heating is also growing in popularity. There are three main ways in using solar energy. The main way of using and converting solar energy is by using the solar cells. Solar cells convert light directly into electricity. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic or photoelectric cells. Meanwhile, solar furnaces use a huge array of mirrors to concentrate on the Sun’s energy into a small space and produced very high temperatures. Solar furnaces are also called “solar cookers”. A solar cooker can be used in hot countries to cook food. With all the benefits if using solar energy, there is still a downside for this alternative energy source. It does not work during night time. The cost of setting up solar stations is expensive, but the benefit of using solar energy when accumulated is so much more.
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Why Use Solar Energy?

2011-06-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

Perhaps everything in the world is fine with your life. The last thing you care about are trees, fresh air and clean water. Heck, the water shows up every time you turn on a faucet, the heat comes on when it's cold, the light switch brings you light. What's there to worry about? Consider that this is just the problem. If you don’t care for the environment, the faucet may not bring you clean water, the heat may not go on and the car certainly will not start. If the environment is kept clean and left to do what it was intended to do, everything will continue to work fine. But get in its way and everything you thought was fine won’t be for long.

One way to accomplish the goal of keeping all the comforts of home working properly is by using other sources of power generation like the sun, not generating nasty things that get in the way of the environment doing its job. Current sources of power come from dead things like old forests gone millennium ago. Environmentally responsible power, heat and transport come from living or energized things like water and oxygen molecules. Sun can be turned into electricity and used to power your car, heat your home and generate your light. But to make the process work, you need to be able to see the sun, which means caring for the environment and not getting in its way.

Cost savings

One of the best things about caring for the suns ability to do its job is that it saves you money in the long run. Once solar systems are purchased and installed, they cost little if anything to operate. In most instances, the government will even help to pay for the upfront costs of installing the system through tax incentives. Additionally, power companies in most regions are required to pay you for energy that you have generated and not used. Yes, you read correctly, the power company will pay you!

Profitable

In most instances, 70% of the northern hemisphere can generate enough solar power to run and heat their homes with existing solar systems. This means that whatever is left over goes back to the power grid if you so choose. Just think of your power meter running backwards. The extra power you need for that cloudy day is stored in ever more efficient batteries. Most current users indicate that the use of solar systems only takes a little thought in power management.

Off the grid

Depending upon how you feel about the topic, one of the better reasons to use solar power is that you can take yourself off the "grid" so to speak. Many people don’t enjoy being a part of the social collective that is interconnectivity. Going solar takes you away from this one aspect of community and puts you closer to self reliance.

Versatile

Even though the solar power generation systems of today have come a long way to providing power, heat and a host of other services there is a long way to go. This is not to indicate, however, that solar power is not currently versatile in form and function. Solar panels can currently be formed into thin sheets to for car top electric powered cars. They can cover suburban rooftops and not be noticed, unlike those 1970’s units. Costs are also coming down almost as fast as the flat screen TV’s of today. Flat screens that solar power can power up through the use of a process called photovoltaic’s.

Personal responsibility

Past the cost savings and environmental benefits that solar power brings you should consider using it because you are part of a larger social order that will procreate. The human species has not been around for all that long and is doing its best to end its run in one way or another. If you would like to give your children’s children a better shot at continuing the human species run on this planet solar power is one small contribution that you can make all by your little self.

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Solar Panels - The magic behind this environmentally friendly power source and why its sensible to buy them now

2011-03-12T19:13:00.000-05:00

Solar panels can be used to harness the energy of the sun to some other type of energy. The power produced using solar panels will be available in the form of heat (to heat a building for example) or electricity which can be used to power anything from a small light, radio, computer, cell phone to a complete business.

Solar panels are a great way to cut energy costs and to lower your carbon emissions, and to become more self-sufficient. They are now becoming extremely popular in urban areas where alternative energy advocates and law makers are creating incentives for this friendly and quiet alternative energy source. The state of Colorado was one of the first states offering massive rebates on the up-front cost in acquiring and implementing a residential solar system. Other states are slowly following.

After the panels are installed, energy from the system will be used to power the house, or, when the energy being made in excess of demand, diverted for use on the grid, where it is purchased back by the electrical power company. There may be times when you actually can make money from your panels. With rebates factored into the initial cost it will generally take from fifteen to twenty years to get back the initial expense, at which time you will essentially be generating power from the sun at no cost. If the prices of solar panels drop it will be even sooner then that.

One little-known fact, however, is that solar panels are initially contributory to greenhouse emissions because it takes power to manufacture a solar panel, that this energy is very often fossil-based, and front-end loaded, and that therefore there is a time period during which the solar panel has actually added to carbon emissions rather than detracted from them. Until such time as the solar panel has produced energy equivalent to the energy used to manufacture it (its fossil-emission payback period) it is actually a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This fossil-emission payback period is generally considered to be five to ten years.

Low power solar panels are normally available in 12 v or 14 v configurations, while high power panels are available in 24 volt. As solar panels are DC, you will usually need a power inverter that changes it from low-voltage as Direct Current (DC)to another-voltage Alternating Current (AC) to change it to be compatible with the voltage and type that feeds both the home and the grid.

Conventional solar panels are constructed using twin sheets of semiconducting silicon, combined with phosphorus and boron atoms. Amorphous silicon solar cells are a highly powerful, emerging array of photovoltaics that differ in output, structure, and manufacture than traditional photovoltaics that use crystalline silicon. The H-AS solar panels are produced in the same way, but they are made just 1 micrometer in depth by laying down polymorphous silicon at very high pressures and temperatures.

Solar panels are normally maintenance free and many manufacturers will supply a guarantee of electrical output often for as long as 20 years.

Solar panels are installed on whichever side of your house that gets the maximum exposureto the sun. In areas south of the equator this would be the north-facing, and in areas north of the equator its the south-facing aspect.

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Formula to Estimate How Many Solar Panels You Need

2011-03-10T17:52:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in solar energy and are wondering whether or not you can

afford to install a solar electric (or photovoltaic, PV) system in your home, you

will need to know how many solar panels it will take to deliver the electricity you

need. The reality is that there are several variables that affect the size of the

solar electric system you will need. Each system has site-specific requirements,

and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It is much more complicated than it

seems, especially if you are planning a system that will provide 100 percent of

your electrical energy needs.

But if you have just started your exploration into the possibilities of adding solar

panels to your home, you probably would like to have at least a ballpark

estimate of how many panels your project would need. So here is a way to

calculate a very rough estimate (emphasis on "very rough") of the wattage that

your solar array will need to deliver using a few basic numbers.

Formula to Estimate How Many Solar Panels

This is a basic and rough formula you can use to estimate the number of solar

panels your house would need, based on your family's history of energy

consumption. Detailed explanations follow, and there is a blank worksheet you

can print out at the end of this report:

Formula to Estimate How Many Solar Panels

Your Solar Electric System Will Need

Copyright© 2009 - 2010 GreenPLR™.com. All rights reserved. 3

1 Average daily kilowatts of electricity used (from utility bills)

2 Multiply by 1000 (kilowatts x 1000 = watts)

3 Multiply by percentage to be provided by solar

4 Divide by solar insolation value

5 Multiply by 120% (to allow for normal energy loss within system)

6 Divide by solar panel peak wattage (per manufacturer)

7 Equals Number of solar panels needed (round up to next whole Number)

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Solar Power– A Must for Homes

2010-12-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

‘Going green’ is the trend these days since the world is facing a lot of environmental problems specifically global warming. Electricity comes from fossil fuels which are being burned. The emissions contribute a lot to global warming and one way to address this issue is by using solar power for homes. Even the federal and state governments are now encouraging many homeowners to utilize solar power by offering grants and loans. Solar power is a must for homes and it is not just for the rich people.

Are you familiar with DIY solar power kits? The DIY kits are widely available in online stores and perhaps in local stores. All you need to do is shop around and find a suitable system that can work for your home.

Why is the solar power system a must for homes?

As mentioned earlier, the government is also supporting green energy through grants and loans. Aside from that, there are also incentives. For instance, if you spend around $20,000 on system installation, the state government will give you a 30% credit. This means that your next tax bill will decrease by 30% of $20,000 which is $6,000. The credit can also be extended to the following year as long as the amount is covered fully.

Once you install the system, it requires minimum maintenance. Make sure that you also clean and clear it properly. You can consult a professional who knows a great deal about solar power systems and have yours checked annually. Most homeowners do little work on their systems and this is a great advantage.

Sunlight is available for all and since fossil fuels are depleting, it is an excellent option. If you install a system for your home, you will simply need to invest once and after that, you can now benefit as long as the system is working properly. Your electricity bills will surely be reduced and so you will have smaller bills every month. You can use the solar power system for your outdoor lights, garden lights and features, and even for indoor use as long as the inverter is big enough.

Solar panels are one of the most popular solar power systems used today. If blackouts are quite common in your area, it would really help a lot if you install solar power. That way, even if other homes don’t have electricity, your home can still have electricity. Solar panels are reliable as well as the other systems available today. Most manufacturers also provide warranty and so you can expect the solar panels to be durable. You won’t hear any noise since the panels are working quietly while producing the needed energy.
Most of all, with solar power systems, you can help in saving the environment. You can help in decreasing pollution and the degradation of the environment. The power systems can last for decades with proper maintenance and care. If you’re interested to go green, don’t hesitate to install a solar power system for your home. This is the best time to make a choice – a choice that can have a significant impact to the world. After installation of the system, you can now enjoy a continuous supply of green electricity.

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Common Solar Power Systems for Homes

2010-12-06T20:20:00.001-05:00

Solar Panel Advances

2010-12-02T19:03:00.001-05:00

Solar Panel Advances
Thin Film Photovoltaics (TFPV)

The newest frontier is solar cells belongs to the "thin film" category and is dye-based. It uses materials that are much less expensive than silicon-based or other thin-film solar cell technologies. Research and development is currently underway in several countries around the globe to produce dye-sensitized solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity as efficiently as the solar cells which are currently available in the consumer marketplace. Once this efficiency is reached, this new generation of cheaper and smaller solar cells will be able to be incorporated into to be consumer products such as windows and exterior paints.

Thin Film Shingles

Thin film shingles are a type of solar panel that can be integrated into existing composition or tile roofing systems. They are the same size as a roofing shingle and eliminate the need for a separate solar array and racking system. For this reason, they are a good choice for tract or custom housing developments which have strict design guidelines prohibiting large solar array installations on the roof or on the ground. As long as the roof faces the sun for enough hours during the day to produce electricity, they can be successfully used in areas of high density housing. Thin film technology has advanced far enough that it can produce electricity even in geographical areas which experience a lot of cloudy or foggy weather.

Thin Film Laminates

Thin film laminates encapsulate solar cells into a flexible, lightweight polymer product that allows light transmission but is resistant to ultra violet rays so that it does not break down like many plastics under long term exposure to direct sunlight. It is manufactured in rolls (like rolled roofing material) and can be easily applied to the types of flat roofs that are commonly used in commercial buildings. Unlike conventional solar array mounting systems which require anchors, the thin film laminates are made with self-adhesive backing that does not require penetrating the roof with screws or bolts.

Thin Film Windows and Walls

Semi transparent photovoltaic panels that can be used as a substitute for glass in windows, walls and skylights is already being commercially manufactured and used successfully. The technology is formally known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (or BIPV) and currently it's most effective application is when used on large scale surfaces such as business, government and educational campus offices and classrooms.

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How To Use Solar Energy: Homemade solar panels

2010-10-04T23:45:00.000-04:00

How To Use Solar Energy: Homemade solar panels: "Homemade solar panels The present economic scenario and the ever-shrinking state of the global oil reserves is not good news for everyone. ..."

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Solar Panels: How Do They Work?

2010-09-24T04:08:00.000-04:00

Solar Panels: How Do They Work?

There are two basic types of solar panels. One kind makes electricity, the other kind generates heat. It's important to know which kind you need for the job you have in mind, because they are not interchangeable. But both kinds can save you money and help you live a greener lifestyle.

Solar thermal collectors use the sun's energy to heat water and other fluids, like oil. They typically use plastic tubing, hoses or coils in the panel. The liquid runs through the coils and is heated by the sun. These types of panels are ideal for heating swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and hot water for homes and businesses. They can also heat building interiors by using baseboard heating units and hot water flooring systems. Once they are installed, there is usually no need for additional heating fuels. But the systems usually require some kind of motorized pump to circulate the fluids.

Solar photovoltaic cells create DC (direct current) electricity. Most typically, they use semi-conductor material (silicon) in the panel, which interacts with sunlight to create electricity. The electricity then can be used to power computers and appliances, or the entire house, if you build the system big enough. The electricity is only generated from the panels during the day when they are interacting with direct sunlight.

In order to use a photovoltaic system at night or during cloudy days, the electricity must be stored in a battery storage system. You can use inexpensive lead-acid batteries (like you car uses), but you will need to make sure they are filled with distilled water in order to maintain their charge. You can also use more expensive batteries. Sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries don’t require maintenance to retain their charge. Gel batteries are good choices for cold climates because of their freeze-resistance.

Both the thermal collector and the photovoltaic systems typically use glass panels to encase their collection systems, and both require access to direct sunlight. The panels are ideally situated in a location that faces south and allows maximum exposure to sunlight during the entire day. They can be used anywhere to harness the sun's energy, but they are less effective in regions that typically have a lot of cloudy days throughout the year.

Even in mostly sunny regions, it’s always a good idea to add a backup generator to both kinds of solar panel system. Backup generators can be fueled with biodiesel to maintain your green lifestyle. And the generators can be used if your battery storage fails, or whenever there is an unexpected stretch of cloudy days.

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Passive Solar Ways to Light Your Home

2010-09-21T10:26:00.000-04:00

Passive Solar Ways to Light Your Home

When you think of solar lighting, do you automatically think of using solar panels to power your light bulbs? Most people do. But that's not the only way to use the sun's power to help light your home. Here are four more ways you can use solar lighting around the house.

Skylights are the most common passive lighting sources found in homes. They are a great source of natural light, especially for rooms that have small or no windows. Skylights can sometimes deliver more natural light to a room than windows, because their rooftop location exposes them to the sun throughout the day.

Solar light tubes are a really effective way to light dark hallways, closets, interior bathrooms and garages that have no windows of their own. Although this technology seems modern, it was actually used by the ancient Egyptians, so it has a long and proven history. Solar light tubes are usually smaller than skylights, sometimes only 9 to 12 inches in diameter. They are installed in the roof, and use reflective material in the tube to enhance the amount of light they deliver. The reflective material allows them to be effective even on cloudy days, since they don't require direct or bright sunlight to be useful. It is easiest to plan for them and build them into new construction. But they can be added to most existing roofs without too much difficulty.

Solar exterior lighting is extremely practical. It is powered by small solar cells that collect sunlight during the day, then store it for use at night. The solar cell can be mounted in a sunny place and wired to the lighting fixture it its location doesn’t receive enough direct sunlight during the day to power it.

Almost any type of exterior lighting is available in a solar-powered version. Porch lights, patio lights, spot lights and security lights that include motion detectors can all be powered by solar cells. This is an especially good feature for security lighting because it will work even during electrical blackouts or system-wide power outages.

Solar landscaping lights are both practical and attractive. They come is a variety of styles, sizes and uses. Spotlights can be used to light trees, garden sculpture or fountains. Low level lighting can be used to outline driveways and garden borders. Taller lighting fixtures will illuminate outdoor living areas like patios or gazebos. Mid-level lighting with non-glare screens are a good choice for lighting sidewalks or footpaths. Party lights can be used for special occasions or to create an atmosphere for outdoor living areas.

Passive solar lighting is one of the easiest ways to use solar energy. You can start with some inexpensive garden lights. When you buy your next house, or your next new roof, you can plan for the bigger-budget skylights.

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Why Should I Install Solar Panels On My Home?

2010-08-29T20:44:00.000-04:00

Why Should I Install Solar Panels On My Home?

Solar energy is in the news almost daily. But have you been wondering whether or not installing solar panels on your home would be a good choice for your family? Here are a few of the most compelling reasons.

The economic climate is finally favorable again for people who want to use solar energy at home. There are now federal tax credits in place (or soon to be in place) that can lower the cost of installing a residential solar energy system by as much as 30%. And don't forget to check into your state and city incentives, too. The list of states and cities that are offering tax credit and other incentives to help people convert to solar energy is continuing to grow.

There is also the immediate cost savings you will see in lower monthly utility bills. Since you solar panels will be powering your appliances during the day, you will be seeing a savings in electricity usage. And if your local utility company participates in net metering, your electric bill could be reduced to zero. Net metering allows you to sell back any excess electricity that your solar panels produce to the electric company for a credit to your account. So if your solar electric system produces a surplus during the day, the electricity that you use from the grid at night could end up being free.
Solar energy is also great for the environment. It is produced on site where it is used. So there are no fuel transportation costs or emissions, and no plant maintenance costs. It does not contribute to global warming. There is no pollution from burning oil or coal, and it does not produce nuclear waste that will contaminate the planet for generations to come. And last but not least, it is a great way to protect yourself and your family against the future energy price hikes that experts predict.

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How Much Solar Energy Will My House Need?

2010-08-21T17:38:00.001-04:00

How Much Solar Energy Will My House Need?

If you are thinking about installing a residential solar energy system in your home, you will need to know your current energy consumption. Usually, you can get this information from your local utility company. Using this as a basis, you will be able to design your solar energy system to fit the needs of your house. The climate in your region will have an impact on energy use, as will the direction your windows face, the number and location of trees on your site, and the types of appliances you own. Even the kind of light bulbs you use can make a difference.

The yearly temperature extremes in the geographical region you live in will be a big factor. If you live in an area with temperature extremes in winter or in summer, you will use more energy to heat or cool your home than if you lived in a moderate climate.

South facing windows in a cold climate can help lower your heating bills. North facing windows in a hot climate can lower cooling bills.

Mature trees can provide shade and help lower cooling bills during the summer, while the bare tree limbs allow sunlight in during the winter months. All of these factors contribute to your overall energy use. And installing energy efficient insulation in walls, roofs and floors help reduce utility bills in all climates.

If possible, convert all of your appliances to energy efficient models. Newer appliance models often use as much as 50% less energy than older models, especially if they need repairs and are not working at top efficiency. Changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs also makes a substantial impact on reducing electricity consumption.

After evaluating your house for these factors, you can plan to build a solar photovoltaic system by multiplying your average daily kilowatt hour usage by about .25. This should give you a rough estimate of the daily kilowatts your solar panels will need to generate in order to supply your current electrical needs.

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Solar Panels: Will They Work For Your Pool?

2010-06-18T14:52:00.000-04:00

Have you been thinking of installing solar panels to heat your swimming pool? Good news! Solar panels that heat water are relatively inexpensive to buy. You can even build them yourself for less than $100 in materials and less than a weekend's worth of your time. The best news is that once you have paid for the cost of installation, you won't have any ongoing fuel bills.

But before you decide, you’ll need to answer some questions. First, will your solar panel system get enough sunlight during the day? The solar panels used for heating pools are simple passive collectors. They’re typically made of plastic coils filled with water and sandwiched between sheets of shatter-resistant glass. As water collects in the coils, it gets heated by the sun then pumped into the pool.

If your lot is covered with tall trees that shade your house and yard, it may not get enough sunlight for a passive pool heater. But an unobstructed rooftop that faces south or west is a perfect location for solar panels to get full exposure to the sun throughout the day.

Next, how much difference is there between the outside air and the temperature you want the pool to be? For example, if you're thinking about heating an outdoor pool in Minnesota to 80 degrees during a below-zero winter, stick with pool covers and a heavy-duty gas heating system. But if you want to heat an outdoor pool in California to 80 degrees during a 50-degree winter, a solar pool heating system is ideal.

Even with your new solar heater installed and working, you'll want to use a solar cover or blanket whenever the outside air is colder than your pool's water temperature. Anytime you see steam rising from the pool, it's wise to use the pool cover to keep the heat in. That way, the heat will stay in the water instead of dispersing it into the air.

Here's a note of caution if you’re just learning about solar heating systems. Some people think they may be able to save even more money by using their pool’s solar heater for hot water in their house. Sorry, but the tow systems don’t mix well. The water in your pool is being conditioned with chlorine and muriatic acid. It won't hurt you to swim in it or to swallow a couple of mouthfuls of it, but you really don't want to add it to your home's drinking water system. Solar water heating for your home is an entirely different project.

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2010-05-02T19:17:00.002-04:00

Developing technologies that take advantage of the clean abundant energy of the sun is important to reducing greenhouse gasses and helps stimulate the economy. Examples of solar technologies being developed by the Department of Energy and Industry are Photovoltaic cells, concentrating solar power technologies and low temperature solar collectors.

Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity and are made of semiconductors such as crystalline silicon or various thin-film materials. Photovoltaics can provide tiny amounts of power for watches, large amounts for the electric grid, and everything in between.

Concentrating solar power technologies use reflective materials to concentrate the sun's heat energy, which ultimately drives a generator to produce electricity. These technologies include dish/engine systems, parabolic troughs, and central power towers.

Low-temperature solar collectors also absorb the sun's heat energy, but the heat is used directly for hot water or space heating for residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

You can also find statistical information relating to the use of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy through the Energy Information Administration.

The Basics of Solar Power

2010-01-01T01:05:00.000-05:00

Solar power is the harnessing of the sun’s heat and light emissions. It is the power we get from converting the sun’s energy. The energy of the sun is abundant, clean, and environment friendly. Every day, we receive more energy from the sun than could be used by us, globally, in 27 years! Solar power is considered to be renewable as the energy from the sun is estimated to last another 4.5 billion years.

The basic difference between generation of solar power and the conventional power is:

· Solar Power does not need large, polluting power stations

· Solar power can be generated at home and in industries

· Once installed, there is no further need of any raw materials to generate solar power, except sunlight

Converting Sun’s Energy

There are many different ways of converting the sun’s energy, in the form of light, into electricity.

Photovoltaic Cells – These are more commonly known as solar cells and are made of semi-conductors. These energy converters convert the energy of the sunlight into electricity. Sunlight, which is a stream of energy particles – photons – falls on the semi-conductors or the conductors, and transfers its energy to them. The photons transfer their energy on hitting the silicon atoms in the solar cells, thereby releasing the electrons from their orbit around the nucleus, generating electricity.

To help concentrate the sunlight on a small area of photovoltaic cells, Fresnel lenses, mirrors, and mirrored dishes are used as concentrators. A Fresnel lens consists of concentric rings of segmental lenses having a short focal length. Multiple solar cells are combined to make a solar panel. For protection of these solar cells, glass, with an anti-reflective coating, is used as a cover.

Solar panels usually produce 12V or 24V DC power.

Boiling Fluids – Mirrors or reflective surfaces are used to concentrate the sun's energy on a fluid reservoir. This leads to steam generation, by boiling of the fluid, which in turn spins a turbine, to generate electricity. Using a turbine to generate electricity is similar to the conventional way of power generation, except that solar energy is used in place of burning raw materials.

Either DC or AC electric power can be generated.

Heat Engine – The heat engine, the most common one being a Stirling engine, has a gas enclosed compartment. Through mirrors or reflective surfaces, the sunlight is concentrated on the engine, which heats up the gas. This causes the piston to move to run the generator. The gas gets cooled and returns to go through the heating cycle again. These heat engines are noiseless, and depending on the generator, can produce either DC or AC current.

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You Need a PV System to Generate Solar Energy

2009-11-13T19:59:00.001-05:00

Solar energy has been around for quite some time. In fact, now is the best time to get it if you want to cut your electric bill and do your share to protect the environment.
For that to happen, you will need to buy a PV system. This is designed to reduce or eliminate the amount of electricity you purchase from the utility especially when there could be a price increase in the next few months.
The best part about the PV system is that it generates clean electricity which is clean, reliable and renewable since it does not emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere.
The PV system must be placed in an area that is free from any obstruction otherwise, it will not be able to capture the sun’s rays. A lot of experts say that the south facing roof is best while the east and west is sufficient. If the roof is not available, it can be mounted on the ground.
You should know that PV systems come in various sizes so you should get the one that matches our electrical needs. If you consume about 6,500 kilowatts a year, then a PV system within the 3 to 4 kilowatt range is right for your home. You can measure this by reviewing your past electric bills and making some projections.
Naturally, the size of the PV system will determine the amount of space needed. If you do not use that much electricity, 50 square feet may be sufficient. However, a larger system may require a little over 600 square feet. Just remember that a kilowatt of electricity requires an area of 100 square feet.
Solar energy is converted with the help of an inverter since this is what changes direct current to alternating current. You will also need batteries so excess energy may be stored so you can still use solar energy during the evening or during a power outage.
The size of the PV system is also in direct proportion with the cost. Most cost from $9 to $10 per watt and when you include installation, the bill may reach be from $10,000 to $20,000.
The cost of the PV system should not discourage you from investing in solar energy. People who use it are able to get tax rebates and it will also increase the value of your home. With that, the only thing to do now is to call a reputable solar energy provider.
One other thing you should know about the PV system is that this should also be connected to your grid. For this to work, you have to enter into an interconnection agreement with your utility.
This agreement will address the issue with regards to the terms and conditions under which your system is tied up with them. This also includes what is known as net metering which allows you to bank any surplus electricity that your system generates on the electric grid in the same manner that you will be charged accordingly should you consume more electricity than what you have banked.
You need a PV system to generate solar energy. You just need to know what size of a system you require so this can be installed by your solar provider.

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Solar Panels For Today

2009-10-17T22:18:00.004-04:00

One of the main problems with solar power is collecting the power of the sun and at
the same time having the solar panels be pleasing to the eyes of the people around
you. You have probably seen solar houses in your neighborhood with five or six solar
panels reflecting the sun. Though this is the wave of the future, it is not at this time
pleasing to the eye of most consumers. These home owners put their solar panels
either on the roof or in the backyard and to the casual non technologically-oriented
person this looks tacky and takes away from the beauty of a neighborhood.
There is new technology that allows the solar power user to set their solar panels up
in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, and at the same time gives greater
opportunities to collect sunlight. These designs have been put in place to serve dual
purposes. They not only enhance the look of a house, but also give the owner a
chance to use his solar panels as cover for other things. Solar panels can be set up in
a variety of ways as long as they are angled at the sun and collect the optimal
amount of energy that is emitted in that area of the house.
These new designs have combined traditional house extensions with a revolutionary
new concept that allows the solar panel to act both as a part of the house and at the
same time collects energy. One such design looks like a carport from the outside.
The solar panels are set up so that they extend from the house above the car parking
area. The driver of the car can park his car underneath the solar panels and they, in
turn, give the car protection from the elements. Snow and rain cannot hit the car and
the solid construction of the solar panels helps them support themselves, even under
the weight of snow. These solar panels have a heating system that goes throughout
them. The heat will melt any moisture such as snow or ice so that the sun can get
through to the solar panels no matter what the weather.
Some designs have solar panels sloped gently from the second story of the house to
provide an area for which a person could put a garden box or flowers and have some
protection from the sun during inclement weather. Other systems include panels that
will come out during sunrise and can be retracted when the sun goes down.
Another technology advance allows a greenhouse to use only solar power. This will
allow the heat to be trapped inside the greenhouse causing the plants to thrive. At
the same time the sun collected above the greenhouse can be reflected down to the
plants to give them the solar energy they need to live. This solar panel can only
collect so much energy within each cell then the residual sunlight would go to the
plants. The added benefit is that the installation of these solar panels will cause the
humidity to be collected inside the hothouse and allow for the house to be warmer
when the weather cools down. All this put together does not take away from the idea
that the house is receiving renewable energy that cost nothing except for the setup
of the solar panels in the first place.
Check out the Internet for the new designs of solar panels. These solar panels are
becoming more attractive than is aesthetically pleasing to the eye because they are
becoming more efficient to help you save money and to be less dependent on fossil
fuels.

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Solar Panels: Can You Go Off the Grid Now?

2009-10-03T12:55:00.000-04:00

If you install solar panels on your home, can you go "off grid" and never have to deal with the electric company again? Being energy independent is a nice thought. No more triple digit electric bills. No more hassle with the utility companies for any reason. Is this possible for you and your family? It depends on where you live, and how much money you're willing to commit to maintain your own energy system.
First, consider where you live. Are you in a part of the world that gets lots of sunlight all year long, or do you have lots of gray and overcast days? Even when you install solar panels on your home, they only create electricity while the sun is shining on them. That means you have to use batteries to store electricity in order for it to be available at night and during overcast days.
Here's where your system can start getting expensive. You'll need to buy and maintain enough large DC (direct current) batteries to store enough electricity to get you through one to three days of cloudy weather. You'll need plenty of storage space for all of those batteries, and you'll have to plan for the expense of replacing them periodically.
It's also a good idea to keep a backup generator just in case you have a long stretch of cloudy weather that lasts beyond your battery storage capacity. Your generator will need fuel, so you’ll have to store that, too. Generators usually use either gas or diesel fuel. But that seems to defeat the purpose of a solar panel system, so you’ll probably want to use biodiesel. So, yes it is possible to got "off grid", but it's not a simple or cheap project.
For most people, it makes more sense to look into "net metering". Find out if it's offered by your local electric utility company. Net metering is a great way to cut down on your electricity bills, yet still have power available at night and during long spells of gray, cloudy days. Net metering allows you to credits back from the electric company for excess electricity that your solar panels produce during the day. Then you simply use the electricity from your local utility company at night and on days when there is not enough direct sunlight. You won’t need to store banks of DC batteries in your basement or garage. You won’t be completely "off grid", but you can save significant amounts of money on your monthly electric bills. Some months you may even have a zero balance.
So if you live on a large parcel of land and have an extra barn or outbuilding to store your DC batteries in, going “off grid" could be a reality for you. But if you live in a subdivision, have no basement, and you're already parking your car on the street because the garage is too full, "net metering" will probably be your best bet.

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The Future Of Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Energy

2009-09-27T15:12:00.008-04:00

1. The Problem
2.The Solution
3. The Results
4.The Benefits

An Investment in the Future

1. The Problem:
Traditional sources of electrical power generation are running out as production will peak in the next decade but demand will continue to rise. Energy prices will continue to rise at a higher rate as well as the number of outages during peak hours. There is the obvious problem of the pollution we are causing to our environment.
From my perspective, the world's energy needs vary greatly; there is no clear single solution to the problem of supplying the world's energy.
All forms of energy production have issues associated with them, i. e. -
1. Coal - Pollution/Strip Mining
2. Natural Gas - Cost and Lack of Infrastructure
3. Hydro - Limited Availability/Environmental Concerns
4. Wind - Limited Site and Resource Availability
5. Solar PV - Higher Cost
6. Nuclear – Waste disposal
2. The Solution:
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) systems effectively deliver three to five hours of peak power per day at roughly 10 Watts per square foot. Not one square inch of new land would be required to site PV. Theoretically, there are adequate residential, commercial, Government rooftops, and parking structures in California to power a substantial percentage of our State's electrical needs from solar.
In Southern California, solar produces a net energy gain in approximately three years. This means that within three years, PV systems begin producing more energy than the energy spent in producing the system and its raw materials. Best of all, the energy produced cost zero emissions.At today's prices, a typical solar system costs approximately $6.00/watt, installed and has an operating life in excess of 25 years. For all intents and purposes, maintenance and operating costs are minimal. Now there are systems available for rent. Companies such as Citizenre at www.jointhesolution.com/rethink-solar allow you to create solar power of a unit that is installed, maintained and monitored by them. You merely pay the monthly rental fee for you clean electricity which is the same price as you pay the electric company for you electricity. Also they allow you to lock in a rate now for up to 25 years so you are paying the same price throughout the entire contract.
3. The Results:
Solar energy increases the diversity of power and adds stability to a fossil fuel favored energy structure, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The Benefits:-- Solar can be quickly deployed at the point of use, reducing the need for additional transmission and distribution infrastructure, and cost thereof.
-- Solar operates most efficiently at mid day, when grid demand is at its peak. By decreasing the strain during peak hours, the longevity of existing power plants and infrastructure is extended, lowering further the cost of energy production.
-- By deploying solar over time the cumulative effect of the installed base is impressive. Given its 25-year life, within 10 to 20 years, a respectable portion of California's energy could be supplied by solar.
-- Once installed, the cost is fixed. In comparison to traditional sources of energy, the fuel cost is nonexistent, and operational costs are limited. A solar system's cost is amortized over its life, there are no rate hikes due to fuel or operating cost increases.
5. An Investment in the Future:
Solar energy is part of the solution and is a key to America's long-term energy supply. After all, fossil fuels have a long history of issues with respect to stability of supply and cost. The Outlook of Solar Power is Bright!1. Solar will sustain its torrid growth, as costs continue to fall. The solar market has grown at ~40% per annum in recent years, and there are many reasons to think that it will sustain, if not exceed, that clip in 2009. Solar panel prices have followed a predictable experience curve since the 1970’s, with prices dropping by 30% with each doubling of manufacturing capacity. As the silicon-dominated industry moves to thinner and higher-efficiency wafers, increases manufacturing scale, improves wafer and cell processing technologies, sees polysilicon prices return to rational levels, and migrates production to lower-cost countries –- costs will continue to drive towards parity with grid rates, and solar will become increasingly more attractive. Indeed, a solar panel for your home, whether brand new, second hand or rented, is definitely a wise choice as it helps you in minimizing your electric bills, helps the worlds growing energy needs and is especially an environmentally healthy and helpful choice.
If you are interested in more information on solar energy go to
http://solarizeitnow.com/

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Solar Panels- Concept and History

2009-09-20T16:01:00.002-04:00

A solar panel is basically a device that enables the collection of and conversion of solar energy into electrical energy or even heat.
The Concept of Solar Panels
Solar panels are also known as photovoltaic panels and the atoms that are present in these panels are excited by the action of the sun's energy. These atoms are present in a silicon layer that lies between two panels known as protector panels.
A formation of electric current takes place as a result of the action of the electrons from the aforementioned, excited atoms, and these are then used by a myriad of external devices. The history of solar panels dates back by hundreds of years, when their sole purpose was to heat the water for use in homes. Many-a-times specially shaped mirror is used for the concentration of light onto a tube of oil. Due to this action, there is a heating up of oil and as these heated oil travels through a vat of water, it instantly results in the boiling of this water. The steam that is a resultant of this process of boiling is used to turn a turbine for the generation of electricity.
The History of Solar Panels
It was in the year 1839 that the photovoltaic effect was discovered by Antoine – Cesar – Becquerel, a French physicist. His experiment in this regard involved the placement of an electrolyte cell in an electrolyte solution; two metal electrodes made up the electrolyte cell.
When this device was exposed to sunlight, Becquerel found that the generation of electricity saw a marked increase. It was in 1883 that Charles Fritts coated sheets of selenium with a thin layer of gold and built the first genuine solar cell. Over a period of time many experiment were conducted and discoveries were made when it came to solar cells. Albert Einstein also published his thesis on the photoelectric effect, during this time and also won the Nobel Prize for his research.
It was space satellites that made large scale use of solar electrical energy for the first time. By 1980, the United States of America, produced a solar cell which provided an efficiency of nearly twenty percent, this efficiency was increased to around twenty four percent in the next two decades and currently there are a few companies that are manufacturing solar cells that offer efficiency levels of nearly twenty eight percent
The Working of Solar Panels
Pure silicon forms the basic element of all solar panels as its makes for an ideal platform that aids transmission of electrons. This material is used on the plates that form a solar panel. Solar panels are also created by combining silicon panels with other elements, with negative or positive charges.
The Silicon atoms are exposed to the bombardment of photons when negative plates of solar cells are faced towards the sunlight. Once all free electrons are drawn away from the plates, enough electricity is generated to power various electronic appliances that do not require too much electricity to power them.
Features and Types of Solar Panels
Basically there are three types of solar panels, namely mono-crystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels, and amorphous solar panels. The life expectancy of solar panels depends on the type of solar panels selected by you; generally it’s around twenty years or so.
Solar panels do not require sustained maintenance for their upkeep although; if lead acid batteries are used then they must be checked every six months and topped up with distilled water if required. If you are looking for a solar panel for your needs and do not know what size to go for, then the best way would be to calculate your average consumption of electricity on a daily basis. This would give you a fair idea of what kind of solar panel to go for. In the long run, solar panels will reduce your electricity bill by a long way, and hence the option of using solar energy must be explored in a positive manner.

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Solar: Will It Ever Power Our Vehicles?

2009-09-04T20:49:00.002-04:00

As solar power has matured as a technology, companies have started applying it to more than just houses. Acting as an energy platform for our transport was an obvious application.
Solar: Will It Ever Power Our Vehicles
As an active technology, one of the first uses for solar power was on NASA spacecraft. Although not used for propelling the crafts, interested parties immediately started thinking about using solar power for getting us around in our daily lives. Alas, there were so many problems with the technology, including efficiency issues, that the idea never really gained much footing. With the massive popularity of hybrid vehicles, companies and research institutes are revisiting the idea.
Vehicles getting all of their energy from the sun are not a viable option at this time or for the near future. The problem is you simply can’t produce enough energy to meet the power needs. Until technology is developed to make the sunlight conversion process much more efficient, there really is not an answer to the problem. This technological advance, however, may not be far away.
Quantum dots are a form of nanotechnology that is being developed by numerous companies for solar power applications. This technology essentially tries to create tiny solar robots to convert the sunlight to energy. Millions fit within small areas and the hope is the efficiency conversion rate will go through the roof. The companies are looking to create a platform where the robots would exist in paint. Yep, the paint on your home and car may eventually produce all the energy needed.
In the meantime, solar power applications are being developed with a focus on hybrids. The basic idea is to use solar power to provide energy to the batteries powering the hybrid cars. Put another way, it is a step towards the ultimate goal. Honda does not discuss its research, but is believed to have built a facility solely for this purpose and is dumping money into it hand over foot.
The creation of viable solar vehicles is dependent on the advances of the underlying technology. Solar hybrids should be on the market relatively quickly. The big breakthrough, however, will be when viable commercial applications are developed using nanotechnology.

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Heating Water using Solar Power

2009-08-15T19:18:00.002-04:00

Heating Water using Solar Power
When you decide to convert your main power source over to solar power you will need to make some adjustments to the appliances that carry the power source. When you use solar power to heat your water you may find that you will need to purchase a solar powered water heater in order to do that. You may be able to make adjustments to your existing one but what ever steps you take to turn it into solar power it will be worth it.
There are several different ways to heat your water using solar power. You can even make your own solar power source. The water runs through pipes before it enters your home. Heating water using solar power will occur before the water gets into your home as it passes by the solar source that attracted the light. You may also have a tank to store the water in that can heat the water up. In order to heat your water successfully you will need to have both a solar collector and a storage tank.
A flat plate collector is the most common collector. It is designed to be a thin, flat rectangular box that has a see through cover and it can carry fluid to be heated. This fluid could be the water or it may be a solution, such as antifreeze that will prevent the water from freezing. Next the water moves through the tubes to an absorber plate. This plate is painted black to attract and absorb the heat from the sun. When the collector gets hot, it will heat the fluid that passes through the tubes. As the water passes through the tubes it goes into the storage tank. The storage tank holds the heated water. It is usually well insulated so the water will stay warm longer. Then the water flows into the home on demand.
Solar water heating systems are divided into two groups: Active and passive. When the heating systems are active, that means that they rely on the pumps or other mechanical device that can move the water between the flat plate collector and the storage tank. Active is the most common because it is quicker and more efficient. The passive system relies on gravity to feed the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. This may be slow at times and may not be sufficient enough to keep up with the demand. Both ways are logical and may be more of a choice of preference for you. Another thought that you need to consider is that if your flat plate collector and your storage tank is not angled right it may be hard for the gravity to feed the liquid through.
Heating water using solar power is very affordable and can be installed with minimal effort. Choosing to heat your water using solar power is a wise choice and a first step in making a choice to help preserve our environment. We know how easy it is to use solar power to do a lot of things, including heating our water.

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The Cost Of Solar Power

2009-08-05T23:00:00.002-04:00

If you are looking for an alternative energy source for your house, solar power could
be for you if you have the right resources. As a general rule right now with today's
technology, solar power can be very expensive. An average American either uses
electricity or gas to provide heat to the house. These fuel sources can also be used
for producing hot water, running your washing machine, and any other appliance or
entertainment device you might have in your home. In some parts of the countries,
such as the Northeast and out west, the cost of electricity and gas products are very
expensive.
Solar power can be an alternative for your house. In a typical house there is a usage
of over 14,400 watt hours per day. That's a lot of juice going to your house. The
more family members you have and the more you are at home enjoying modern
comforts the more electricity you will use. Solar panels can create 70 mW per square
inch. In the course of the day these solar panels might receive about five hours of
sun. This only equals 350 mW hours during the day. So to get the energy you need
for your house which is at 14,400 W hours per day you would have to have 41,000
in.² of solar panel for your house. If you do the math that is almost 300 ft.² of solar
panels. At today's prices that would cost you around $16,000.
Not only would you need a solar panel you'd also have to have a battery bank and an
inverter. Adding these would double your cost of installation and adding materials
and a 48 average size ouster, you are looking at close to $32,000. If you want to add
an air-conditioner to the mix you might as well double that figure to $64,000 for
installation. Added to the installation cost you also need to make your house energyefficient.
This means the closing of cracks between doors and windows. You would
also have to use energy-efficient appliances. You may put the hybrid or hot water
heater so that it only uses electricity during the times that you need it. You would
have to switch over from a desktop to a laptop computer to save on electricity.
This might reduce your need for such a large solar panel but in reality this would not
really stop the sticker shock or the upfront money you need to pay. When you pay
for electricity the traditional way, it only costs around a hundred dollars an hour to
purchase power from the power grid. Of course you should pay for usage but the
hookup to the power grid is a fractional amount of money compared to the large
amount of money you would have to spend to install solar panels on your house.
You have probably seen solar panels on houses in remote areas or as a lot in one
neighborhood. These people have bought these to be more eco friendly and have
invested their money for something they believe in. You too can do this if you have
the resources and the finances, but it might be feasible to wait until the technology is
more efficient and less expensive than it is right now.
Keep up on the technology that is being developed. Periodically go to the internet or
to a science trade publication and see what advances have been made concerning
solar cells and solar panel technology. There may be a break-through that would
bring the prices down so that they are more affordable for the common man. You
might want to start with a small solar panel and just direct that energy to one
appliance that might be draining you, such as a freezer, a water heater, or a washer
and dryer. Technology is moving at light speed these days and the resources to bring
down the cost are here.

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Ways to use Solar Power for Heat

2009-08-05T08:57:00.000-04:00

We have become accustomed to turning a dial or pushing a button in order to have heat. These ways are nice but they may be inconvenient as well. Heating homes, schools or businesses with solar energy is not only easy but cost effective as well. There are several ways that we can capture the sun's heat even in winter times. In order to capture the sun's heat you need a solar source. This source can be something that will attract the sun rays but trap the heat from it when it enters the source. A good example is a sunroom.
These rooms are attached to a home or a building and are constructed of glass panels from the floor to the ceiling. It is usually facing the morning sun in order to get the full affect of the heat. When the sun shines into the room the glass allows the sunrays heat the furniture and everything in the room. These areas become the source that holds the heat in so that it will not escape back out of the glass. This type of heating is natural and can be very efficient if it is constructed correctly.
Other forms of solar power heat are:
Thermal mass that absorbs and holds in the heat. It traps and holds heat while the sun is shining and disperses the heat when the sun goes down.
Trombe Wall is a natural solar heating and ventilation system that uses air channels to hold the heat between a glass object and a thermal mass that is facing the sun. The sunlight gets trapped and stored inside this wall and is then circulated though vents and the top and the bottom of the wall. The wall radiates the heat.
Transpired collector is also a wall that is used facing the sun. The wall absorbs the sunlight and heats the air when it enters into the ventilation system.
Solar Cooling is a great way to ventilate a building. It absorbs the solar heat and cools it making ice with a solar powered steam engine that is attached to a cooling device.
Solar Chimney is also a solar ventilation system. It is made of a thermal mass that is hollow inside. The chimney will warm the air inside the chimney and causing the heat to rise. The rise allows the air to circulate and vent properly.
There are several ways that we can provide heating and cooling to our homes, businesses, buildings or other structures that need to be heated. The ways listed above are by using all natural material that will pay off in the long run when you have heat using the sun and not an artificial heating source that may be produced by non-renewable resources. We all need heat no matter what. We need to find out what ways we can save the heat from the day to keep our house warm at night. Not only does it work for heating but also cooling as well.

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