I was going to entitle this article "solar heating for the home" but since heating is not the main use for solar energy in the home I renamed it. Common sense tells us why solar energy is not immensely useful for residential heating. When we most need it, in winter the sun is less effective and there are fewer daylight hours.

Solar Energy Technologies

A number of technologies have been developed to make use of solar radiation. Some of these make direct use of solar energy for lighting and heating etc., while others produce electricity. They are:

1. A solar thermal energy collection system generates electricity a system of tubes containing a fluid and mirrors.

2. Solar thermal collectors which produce heat.

3. Photovoltaic panels which produce electricity using sunlight. However, the current they generate is D.C. and would need to be converted to A.C. for residential use. Just heating one home would require a very big large area so solar panels are not often used for domestic heating.

4. Solar hot water panels which heat water in the home.

Solar Panel Efficiency

Although solar panels are often used throughout the year they are only efficient in direct sunshine. In the shade or under cloudy conditions they produce very little power. It is the light that produces electricity not the heat which actually interferes with it. This means solar panels in very hot climates are less efficient than those in sunny but cold climates. If the panel's temperature is above 50 degree centigrade its productivity will decrease.

Most energy is generated when solar panels are directly pointed towards the sun. So just how much power is produced also depends upon the time of day since the sun's angle differs. Usually the best choice is to incline the panel although on shady days, horizontal mounted panels are better.

The use of solar power tends to fall in and out of favor depending upon the potential savings when compared with other energy types. However, the equipment needed nowadays is 90% cheaper than it was thirty years ago and the technology has improved considerably. For example, homes with solar roof tiles can often produce more electricity than is needed. So overall costs are going down and consequently solar energy in the home is becoming more popular again.

Environment Products on our marketplace

Before your purchase be better informed about solar energy companies. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy and its uses for lights and heat etc.