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Solar
Energy
Presented by
Jennifer Worden, Tracy Higginson, Roger Hicks
Solar Energy
Energy from the sun
Accounts for 99% of the earth’s renewable energy resources
Sunlight that shines on the earth’s surface
Used in two ways
Heat source
Energy source
The Problem
Expense of electricity and natural gas
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12910
Solution
Go Green!
One hour of solar power can meet the energy demand of the world for one year!
History
Popularity peaked in late 1970’s and early 1980’s due to federal tax credits and scare of national oil shortages
Benefits of Solar Energy
Convertibility to other forms of energy
Environmental
Homeland Security
Tax Benefits
Property Value
Environmental
Environmentally friendly
Energy conservation
Reduce use of fossil fuels
Reduce greenhouse emissions
Homeland Security
National security
Create more jobs
Economic development
Tax benefits
Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
Federal energy tax credit
50% tax credit=$3/watt
• After-30%=$2/watt
State and local grant
Property Value
Home value increases $20 for every dollar reduction
Provide free light and warmth
Reliable source of hot water
Save homeowners up to 50% of hot water costs per year
Parts of the solar hot water
system
Collector panel
Most common
Consists of a flat sheet absorber or envelope of blackened metal.
Panel absorbs the sunlight
Transfers the heat directly to the water flowing through the panel
Transfer mechanism
Pump or a natural circulation/thermosiphon.
Uses the heated water/fluid in the collector panel to produce a natural convection.
Place the cylinder below the panels
Pump has a control unit
Allows the pump to run only when the water in the collector panel is hotter than the storage tank
Storage cylinder/tank
Larger in a solar heating application than in other systems
Reduces amounts of wasted energy
Active Systems
Involves controls and pumps
Collects significant amount of energy
High capital costs
Consists of:Flat-plate collector
Rows of evacuated tubes
One or two storage tanks
Pump, valves, and back-up source of energy
Passive systems
Passive systems have no moving parts
Water circulates using natural convection
Water storage must be near the collector
Common in tropical
climates
Economical
Direct systems
Needs form of freeze protection to avoid damage in freezing temperatures
Common system is Downdrain systemWater drains into the home’s sewer system
Simple system
Less prone to
malfunctions
Less expensive
Indirect systems
Collects solar energy in separate fluid from the potable hot water
Must include a heat exchanger to transfer the collected energy
Advantage is the collected fluid is used.
Cost and Savings
Save 50-80% on your hot water.
Construction
Little construction on the existing building
You will need:
Mounting brackets
Holes for wiring and pipes
Possibly an automatic tracking system
Completion of system can be installed in as little as a day or up to a week.
Maintenance
Maintenance every 3-5 yearsAverage is once/yearMaintenance includes:
Checking seals and glazing for cracksCheck the supporting structure and roof for any cracks and rust.Check all pipes and wiring both inside and outside of buildingCheck pressure relief valveDo inspection of insulation, piping, and wiringClean the collector panels for unwanted sticks, leaves or snow.
Conclusion
Solar is the energy of the future
Fossil fuels will eventually run out
Everyone can take steps to be more environmentally conscious
Works Cited
Aldrich, Robb. Gayathri Vijaykumar, Cost, Design and Performance of solar Hot Water in Cold Climate. Http://www.carb-swa.com/Preject/Articles/Solar.pdf.
Federal Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency. Financial Incentives. July 25, 2007.
Glime, Sally. NWTC Coordinator for Niagara Campus. Information on hot water usage for Niagara Campus. November 27, 2007.
Harper, Gavin D.J. Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius. New York: McGraw Hill, 2007.
Schaeffer, John. Real Goods Solar Living Source Book. British Columbia, Canada: New Society Publishers, 2008.
Schlager, Neil, and Jayne Weisblatt. Alternative Energy, Volume 2. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006.
Sun Earth Inc.Solar hot water heating technical Bulletin Volume 3. Flat Plate Collectors Vs Evacuated Tubes – A Briefoverview.
United States Green Building Council. Green Schools Advocates Program. 5 October 2007. 1 November 2007.