| Solar Heating | | | | electrons easily through photon bombardment and |
| The sun is a hot fiery nuclear fusion furnace. The | | | | the other substance readily accepts electrons. |
| sun reaches temperatures of 11,000 degrees | | | | The flow of electrons from one substance, to the |
| Fahrenheit. In other words, it's a totally hot place. | | | | other, through photon bombardment is the |
| Shouldn't we be able to harness some of that | | | | creation of electricity from the suns rays. |
| solar heat? The good news is that solar rays can | | | | The electricity produced is in the form of direct |
| be harnessed here on earth to produce heat. The | | | | current and must be stored in batteries. Then, an |
| primary sources of solar heat are thermal, | | | | inverter is placed between the batteries and the |
| photovoltaic, and parabolic. | | | | home. The inverter changes the electricity from |
| | | | direct current to alternating current. |
| Have you ever heard that you could cook an egg | | | | There are many types of solar panels. They are |
| on the sidewalk on a hot sunny July day? Or, | | | | amorphous, polycrystalline, and monocrystalline. |
| maybe you are one of those people that has | | | | Polycrystalline solar panels are the current solar |
| actually done it and then eaten the egg. The point | | | | panel of choice for most people because they are |
| is that the sun can produce tremendous heat by | | | | the most cost effective to purchase and use. |
| itself. One of the best ways to get that heat to | | | | However, each type of solar panel has |
| build up is with thermal mass. It just so happens, | | | | advantages. For example, amorphous solar panels |
| that concrete is a thick and stable thermal mass | | | | are better for electronic applications and |
| that will retain heat well. | | | | monocrystalline solar panels are better for partial |
| Thermal mass is an important part of any solar | | | | shade areas. |
| home. A solar home should have thick walls and | | | | Parabolic Solar Energy |
| thick floors that absorb heat during the day | | | | The idea is the same as Direct Tv. You take a |
| (keeping it cool) and giving off the heat at night | | | | parabolic dish that has a mirror face and then |
| (keeping you warm). Thermal mass is the most | | | | focus the light where you wish. The energy from |
| often overlooked part of solar. The effect of | | | | a parabolic dish is most often used to cook or to |
| having thick walls is highly important to a | | | | heat water. In some cases, parabolic dishes have |
| successful solar system. Thick walls will reduce | | | | been used in unison to create a lot of energy to |
| the energy needed by a third and, in some cases, | | | | heat water for a factory. |
| up to a half of the total energy. | | | | Some of the parabolic dishes are pretty unique. |
| Some solar panels and solar systems are actually | | | | Some countries will install a parabolic dish just |
| thermal instead of photvoltaic. You may have | | | | outside their kitchen. Then, when they want to |
| seen black hoses on a rooftop next to a pool. | | | | cook, they open a hole in the wall to let the |
| This is a common way to heat the pool water. | | | | focused light through. Another mirror is used inside |
| The black pipe absorbs the sunlight and heats the | | | | the home to redirect the light to heat the stove. |
| water just, as the concrete cooked the egg. | | | | This is a pretty unique way to get power for |
| Photovoltaic Solar Panels | | | | cooking. |
| Most of us know solar by the term solar panels. | | | | There are many other uses of the solar parabolic |
| Scientists use the term photovoltaic. This | | | | dish. Japan is currently making plans to install a |
| compound word means photo (or light) and voltaic | | | | giant dish up in space that will transmit energy to |
| (electric current). Albert Einstein received the his | | | | the earth. The idea of a highly powerful light beam |
| first Nobel prize for the photoelectric effect which | | | | from space has been on the minds of scientists |
| was to show how photons from the sun could | | | | for many years. |
| produce electric current. The work of Einstein, and | | | | Final Thought |
| many others, would create an industry of light | | | | Solar heating can be done in various ways. The |
| absorbing silicon wafers (i.e. solar panels). | | | | combination of thermal solar heating, photovoltaic |
| Solar panels are made of silicon. The light | | | | solar panels, and parabolic dishes are all making |
| bombards the silicon with photons. Two | | | | contributions, to the earth using its renewable |
| substances are used. One substance loses | | | | energy sources. |