Let’s start with photovoltaic or P.V for short. P.V solar panels produce electricity using the energy from the sun or a light source. P.V panels have been around for a long time and are most commonly seen on calculators and more recently on road signs. Other applications are numerous such as 12 volt battery chargers for boats and caravans, mobile phone chargers, buoys & satellites in fact anywhere that is difficult to lay cables or replace batteries.
Domestic households are also installing P.V panels to help cut down on electric bills with surplus electricity being sold back to the grid. P.V panels are also installed on commercial and industrial buildings where large amounts of electric are consumed. Now here’s an interesting fact: ’If approximately 11% of the Sahara desert had P.V panels it could generate ALL of the worlds electricity’!
Solar thermal panels may be used for heating water in the home and commercial/industrial uses. Other applications include heating swimming pools, space heating and cooling. There are two different types of system – passive and active. Passive systems function using natural convection which circulates liquid without the need of a pump. Active systems use a circulating pump similar to a central heating pump which is connected to a controller. The digital controller has temperature sensors, one in the collector panel and one in the store (hot water cylinder), and switches the pump on and off when required. There are also two different types of panels – flat plate collectors and evacuated/vacuum tube collectors. Flat plate collectors are not as efficient as ‘tube’ systems and require a larger surface area compared to the ‘tubes’.
The systems do not require direct sunlight to work and rely on ‘ambient radiation’ which in simple terms is background light. The Meteorological Office has been recording solar radiation for over 30 years and has produced maps to show how much we receive in the UK. Here’s another interesting fact: ‘The earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in a whole year’.
Arun Solar, a leading solar company in Rustington, reports that solar panels in Sussex work very well due to the amount of solar radiation the county receives - among the highest in the UK. A spokesman, for Arun Solar, told us “Customers are finding reductions in their fuel bills are directly due to the installation of solar panels and if energy prices continue to rise, as they have done in the past few years, savings will increase year on year”. He goes on to say “It really is a no-brainer; people can keep on paying out to the energy suppliers or use that money to invest in solar and be instantly financially better off! We have never been busier as demand increases for solar systems in Sussex”
For further Information go to www.arunsolar.co.uk
Editor’s Note: Arun Solar is represented by online advertising consultancy, Media Solutions Marketing.
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