Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Discover Why Hot Water Solar Panels Are So Popular

Solar Thermal Collectors

Solar thermal collectors are specifically designed and constructed for the purposes of collecting and storing heat in order to heat water. The hot water solar panels is the key component of the solar thermal collector. These collect heat and light from the sun in order to provide the energy needed to heat water. The terminology "solar thermal collector" applies to hot water solar panels although it is oftentimes used to apply to more complex applications. The following are three of the more common types of solar thermal collectors:

Solar parabolics
Solar towers
Solar troughs
These types of solar panels are generally found in industrialised or larger facilities such as solar power plants which demand electricity for heating water and generated by employing a solar energy array. These typically drive a turbine which is wired to an electrical generator.



Hot Water Solar Panels

The most common water solar panel is a flat panel and is normally used to create hot water. The basic construction of these panels contains an absorbent sheet made of black metal placed inside an insulated box that has been weatherproofed. A series of built-in pipes are placed within the path of the sun's light. Water in these pipes is heated up by solar energy causing it circulates throughout the solar energy system.

Once the process is finished, the water is then transferred into a storage tank that is situated above the collector. This type of system is normally referred to as a "passive" system and is typically found in sunnier climates. The basic purpose of this system is to use flat hot water solar panels which are set up in a fixed position in order to collect the most amounts of sunlight and heat possible.

The best way to achieve maximum efficiency with this type of system is to arrange the hot water solar panels so that they are facing the sun. Additionally, they are set up at a specific angle or slope facing the horizon plus an additional tilt of 10°. Solar thermal collectors are normally classified into 2 categories, specifically concentrating and non-concentrating. With non-concentrating types, the absorbing and collection areas are basically the same, meaning that the entire hot water solar panel functions to absorb the sun's light.

The benefits of using hot water solar panels

There are numerous benefits to using hot water solar panels but the most significant benefit is that it cuts down on your monthly electrical bill and saves you money in the long run. Granted the initial outlay is a costly one depending on how much hot water you require, but once that initial investment has been recouped, solar energy is essential free. The other big plus is that solar energy is non-polluting and does not harm the environment unlike when fossil fuels are used to generate power.

Not only does the use of solar energy decrease the dependency on fossil fuel generated energy, it also decreases the dependency on international sources for these fuels and the costs associated with them. This makes it economically feasible as well, especially when you consider that this does create more jobs.





Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3042400

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