Since the dawn of creation, mankind has used the sun to heat itself, dry fruits and vegetables, tell time and, in the modern age, even produce electricity. The sun is a seemingly inexhaustible source of natural energy that we have not yet begun to fully understand. But by harnessing this natural energy we can heat our homes, produce hot water, heat swimming pools, and do many other things at a fraction of the cost and with little impact on the environment.
home solar power systems
When we think of solar energy systems, our first thought tends to be a house in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of solar panels mounted on the roof. These panels collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity using a power inverter. Systems like this have been around for decades and have allowed people to reduce their reliance on the local utility company for both electricity and natural gas.
Obviously, solar power systems for home electricity generation work best in environments with plenty of sunlight. A city like Phoenix, AZ would be much more conducive to these systems than Seattle, WA, for example. Additionally, the home-based solar energy system must be custom designed to fit a particular home. Cookie cutter systems may offer a minimum amount of benefits, but not the maximum benefits of custom designed systems.
Solar power systems in commercial applications
One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of solar power is adapting current technologies for use in business and commercial settings. Creating innovative ways for businesses to use this energy allows them to operate more efficiently and at lower cost, leaving more money and resources to invest in developing products and services. In any business, the lower the overhead, the more productive the business will be. If overheads can be reduced by lowering energy costs, everyone wins.
Solar power systems are used in commercial applications, as well as home applications, to generate electricity and hot water. Office buildings tend to be prime targets for solar panels because they are already built to take full advantage of the sun for aesthetic purposes. With entire facades made of glass, the standard office building could replace a good portion of that glass with solar panels and achieve huge energy savings.
Solar energy systems for communication
Another innovative method of using this type of power comes in the area of ​​communications. In remote areas without access to the electrical grid, communication centers can be powered solely by the sun. A particular example is the US interstate highway system. Driving down one of the interstate highways, it is not uncommon to see emergency telephones on the side of the road powered by solar panels. Solar power also supplies emergency traffic signals, construction lighting, and radio towers.
One of the biggest uses of this type of energy in communications comes in the form of satellites. Since satellites are not obstructed by the sun while in orbit, they are the best candidates for using solar energy as efficiently as possible. Many satellites are built around the power system that will operate it, to the point where the power system becomes the focal point of the build. In theory, solar-powered satellites can continue in perpetuity; while the sun burns they will be fed.
