subject: Solar Energy Applications [print this page] The amount of PV installations on properties joined to the electricity grid has grown lately. Government subsidy programs (especially in Germany and Japan) and green pricing guidelines of utilities or electricity providers have stimulated demand. Demand can be pushed by the wish of persons or businesses to get their electricity from the clean, non-polluting, sustainable resource. These individuals are generally prepared to pay just a little premium for renewable power. Increasingly, the incentive is an attractive economic return on the expense through the sale of solar electricity at premium feed-in tariff prices.
In solar systems linked to the electricity grid, the PV system supplies electricity to the building, and any day excess might be exported to the grid. Batteries are not necessary because the power system provides any additional need. Nevertheless, to be independent from the grid supply, battery storage is necessary to supply electricity at night.
Vacation or holiday properties without usage of the electricity grid can use solar systems more cost-efficiently than when the grid was expanded to achieve the place. Remote properties in sunny places can get reliable electricity to fulfill basic needs using an easy system comprising of a PV panel, a rechargeable battery to store the power captured during daytime hrs, a regulator (or charge control), and the required wiring and switches. Such techniques are commonly called solar home systems (SHS).
Farms also can use solar power to heat greenhouses. Commercial greenhouses generally depend on sunlight to provide their lighting needs. They generally aren't designed to use sunlight for heating system. They count on gasoline or oil heaters to keep the temperatures needed to grow crops in the colder months. Solar greenhouses, nonetheless, are made to use solar power for both heating and lights. A solar greenhouse uses thermal mass to gather and store solar heat power. Its insulating material retains this warmth for use throughout the evening and on overcast days.
A solar greenhouse also is oriented to optimize southern glazing exposure. Its northern aspect has small or no glazing, and is properly insulated. To reduce heat reduction, the glazing it self can be better than single-pane glass. According to Arizona Solar Concepts, different items range from double pane to "mobile" glazing. A solar greenhouse reduces the demand for fossil fuels for heating system. A gasoline or oil heater may function as a back-up heater, or may raise co2 amounts to cause higher plant development.
On an office building, roof locations can be covered with glass PV modules, which can be semi-transparent to offer shaded light. Over a factory or warehouse, large roof areas would be the best place for solar modules. When the roof is flat, then arrays can be mounted using methods that not transgress the weatherproofed roof membrane. Also, skylights can be partly coated with PV.
Solar power is also often used for transport signaling, such as international navigation buoys, lighthouses, aircraft warning light constructions, and progressively in highway traffic warning signals. Solar can be used to energy environmental monitoring products and corrosion protection systems for pipelines, well-heads, bridges, and other constructions. For greater electric loads, it could be cost-effective to configure a hybrid energy program that links the PV with a little diesel generator.
Remote structures, including universities, community halls, and practices, can also profit from solar energy. In creating regions, central energy plants can supply electricity to properties via a local wired network, or behave as a battery charging station where members of the city can provide batteries to be recharged.
