June 7, 2011. Paul Hixon
Solar power for homes is a fast growing alternative because of its great advantages. A solar power house is considered as a major investment by families today.
The technology behind it is not just simple but is proven for centuries as a useful energy alternative. It is even used in space or in places where other energy sources are absent. Apart from the ability to generate electric power, solar power is also proven in desalination process and in heating systems.
Solar heating systems are one of the technologies developed from using solar power. The sun’s energy is used to heat domestic water and warm the homes or establishments through the use of solar thermal collectors and storage tank. To be more specific, there are three systems of solar water heaters: active system which pumps and circulates heated fluid; thermo siphon or passive system which circulates heated fluid naturally; and batch system which uses a tank that is exposed directly to the sun.
Another technology is solar cooking which is very important in pasteurization and fruit canning. This involves a solar box cooker that collects and stores the sun’s heat in an insulated box to be used for cooking.
There are also the solar thermal electric power plants that use the sun’s power in heating up heat exchangers to very high temperatures where the heat is utilized to generate electricity for industrial purposes.
Unfortunately, solar heating systems are still having a hard time being recognized by most households or industries because of the lack of information about this great alternative. The psychological impact for some is that whether they are making the right choice or not in installing a solar heating system.
In my opinion, having a solar heating system is more than owning an HDTV. It is a lifetime investment that will help not only your family but also the environment. You’ll get much from its service apart from the savings from monthly bills, and you’ll be able to contribute to the preservation of the Earth.
Updated June 7, 2011. Published April 4, 2011. Paul Hixon
