How Do Solar Panels South Africa Work?

Basically a Solar Panel or more than one solar panels will collect solar radiation directly from the sun and through the solar panel will actively convert energy into electricity. The solar cells operate similar to large semi-conductors and make use of large area p-b junction diode. Solar panels and cells exposed to the sunlight, the p-n junction diodes will then convert energy from the sunlight into energy that is useable.

Energy that is generated from photons when they stroke the surface of the solar panels, will allow the elections to be released and knocked out of their orbits. Electric fields in the solar cells then pull the free electrons into a current that is directional, then the metal contracts in the solar cells and it generates electricity. The higher number and better quality solar cells that are in a solar panel the more the solar panel is able to produce total electrical output.

The photovoltaic Effect has a double amount of conversion of sunlight into usable electrical energy. The photovoltaic effect will arise from properties of the p-n junction diode. A solar panel does not have any moving parts.
Factors that can affect output
Weather conditions can affect the output of solar panels. When installing you need to consider
· Weather conditions
· Obstructions caused by shade, such as branches of trees
· The angle or position that the solar panels are installed
· Areas with high regional solar isolation ratings
· Solar panels will function best when they are placed in direct sunlight with no obstructions.
Efficiency can be increased when solar panels are placed on dynamic mounts that are able to follow the suns position in the sky; these are capable of rotating the panels to obtain the maximum direct sun exposure during daytime.
Distribution and installation of solar panels
Solar panel South Africa is widely available throughout the country; they are available from registered distributors and manufacturers. Look for companies that are SABS approved, are ESKOM accredited, and a member of SESSA. By using companies that are approved you ensure that your warrantee is in good standing, the products are of high quality which means less chance of damage or breakdown. All accredited solar panel companies will site and install your solar panels South Africa. Contact several companies for comparison quotations, the quotations should be obligation free, check before you ask a company to give you a quote.
Advantages of solar panels
· It is a renewable energy source. It cannot be exhausted and energy comes from the sun
· It’s a silent process and does not disrupt the neighbourhood
· It’s pollution free
· It can generate electricity even if the installation is far away from the electricity grid – ideal in rural areas where there is no electricity
· Give one the opportunity to become independent of the electricity grid
· It can save on electricity bills over time
· They require no maintenance once installed
· No fuel is required
· It can power every type of electrical appliance in a home as well as lights and geysers
· Greenhouse emissions are eliminated and your carbon footprint is reduced.

Solar Heating

Solar Heating Energy Has Many Advantages to Conserve Ones Carbon Footprint

It may come as a surprise to find out that humans have harnessed radiant heat and light from the sun since ancient times, throughout the ages through a range of evolving technologies.

Today solar heating energy is harvested through solar radiation, and with what is called secondary ‘solar powered’ resources, hydroelectricity, wave power, wind and biomass, these account for most of the renewable energy resources today, however only a fraction of solar energy is used.

Solar heating energy generation as we know it today relies on phorovoltaics and heat engines, some of the various applications that use solar are solar architecture that includes space cooling and heating, distillation and disinfection using potable water, water heated by solar, solar cooking, daylight collection of heat is stored and then distributed. The most common method of harvesting this solar energy is using solar panels.

Solar technologies are characterised by active solar or passive solar it all depends of the method of capture, then conversion and distribution to solar energy. Active solar technologies used photovoltaic panels to capture the solar thermal collections to harness energy. Passive solar technologies means orienting the building to the sun’s rays, and then by selecting material that has favourable thermal light or mass properties, then designing them into spaces that will naturally circulate air.

Advantages of solar heating energy

To many consumers of electricity, solar energy or power has made a difference to their lives, by harnessing the suns energy and converting it to electricity with the use of solar panels today, people who have had them installed enjoy lower energy bills. There are green homes that are being built today that no longer obtain electricity from the electricity grid that is supplied by municipalities and in the case of South Africa utility giant Eskom. These houses are totally self sufficient and all electricity needs are supplied using solar energy via solar panels.

Solar panels does not require direct sun and only in hot climates can they be used, successful use of solar panels are to be found in the colder climates such as the UK, a cloudy day provided there is daylight can still harvest solar energy, although not as great a volume as one would find in a climate such a South Africa that has a greater period of sunshine.

Solar energy is one of the most valuable renewable resources which is changing the pattern of climate change. By using solar to harvest energy as a clean, green, resource is a move away from using scarce fossil fuels which have not been kind to the environment.

Each person today has a responsibility to improve their carbon footprint by utilising as much as possible with a switch to solar energy which can provide all of one’s energy usage directly from the sun.

A greater awareness of our responsibility to the future of this planet is the need to become more aware of where we obtain our energy, and harvesting it through solar energy is the right direction to go. There are also many other ways to save electricity, by switching off lights in rooms that are not in use, changing from incandescent light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs, changing appliances that use less electricity.

Solar Power for Homes

A Brief Overview of Solar Power for Homes

As people become more aware that we need to conserve our fossil fuel resources at the same time heat and energise our homes. One of the solutions is solar power for homes.

Many people wonder if it is possible to break away from Eskom’s electricity grid and become total independent, the answer is that it is possible but it comes at a price. Unfortunately solar power for homes is not cheap by any means.

By comparison to many parts of the world electricity from Eskom is still relatively cheap, but that is changing as the utility increases its prices to pay for its failing infrastructure and be able build new power stations.

What can we do to lower our energy bills and not be affected with the increased that will occur over the next few years?

Running an average sized home with solar power for homes does require some changes, to make this type of project feasible.

Firstly some things you can be doing already to cut your energy bills:

· Replace all of your incandescent globes with either CFL which are low watt fluorescent or LED lighting.
· Your hot water geyser, ensure it is covered with lagging to conserve heat. Solar power for homes, using solar panels, this is usually the first thing that is connected as its one of the highest energy consumption items in a home.
· Replace some household items for more energy efficient appliances for instance , LCD TV’s
· Use a gas stove instead of an electric stove
· Make use of electric blankets instead of using a heater to warm the room
· Lap Top computers use less energy that older desktop computers consider replacing your computer with a laptop.
· Consider buying a solar fridge or freezer

Once installed electricity costs could be eliminated for the areas that are served by solar panels, in country such as South Africa with sun most days solar panels can produce energy every day. Even on cloudy days the light helps convert sun power into energy.

One thing many people are not aware of is solar energy can be stored in batteries for use when there is no energy from the sun such as at night. Some companies sell solar panels that do not have batter storage. In the UK many people who use solar panels for homes often store more than they can use can sell it back to the National Grid which helps them with their energy bills. This is something that would be nice in South Africa, however, until that happens we all need to look at how we can reduce our electricity bills.

Installing solar panels for homes needs to be done by an accredited solar panel installer, or if you are very handy with our hands and capable of working with electricity you could build your own solar panels. There are articles on the internet that gives you instructions on how to do it. Doing it yourself of course there is no guarantee on workmanship and damage to parts. Therefore it is a good idea to call in a solar panel installation company who offers full guarantee should anything go wrong.

Installing a Solar Water Heating System

Installing a Solar Water Heating System for hot water year round

Solar water heating systems (SWH) comprising several innovative as well as mature technologies that are renewable energy. Many of these systems are accepted in many different countries around the globe.

Using a SWH system that is close coupled, you will find they are available where the storage tank is mounted in a horizontal position, it is placed well above the solar collectors, these collectors are placed on the roof. It does not need a pump because hot water will rise through the themosiphon flow. With the pump circulating system, you will find that the storage tank is foor or ground mounted and because it is below the collectors it will require a pump to operate and circulate the water.

The SWH residential solar thermal systems fall in two categories or groups, the passive system is designed to be able to deliver the maximum amount of hot water for most of the year; it does not need a backup system and is often installed in hotter climates which have good sun rays year round. The other option is the active system which is usually install in colder climates as winter months the heat might drop to below 55°C due to lower heat from the sun. It will need to have an electric or gas booster as a backup.

Customer would like to know what their monthly savings would be if they converted to SWH, there are different factors that determine what your savings would be, one needs to account for inflation interest rates, your present utility bills and the long term bills, also replacement of parts for other systems as opposed to the solar system’s lifetime, operating costs etc. A qualified solar technician who is well versed in all aspects of SWH systems can usually give you an estimate of your possible savings.

SWH can definitely affect savings over time, but the initial installation costs may be an inhibiting factor to savings. Certainly by using solar power one is contributing to ones carbon footprint and saving of fossil fuels emissions into the environment.

In a climate like South Africa there is more scope for greater usage of SWH systems, the climate is conducive to good sunshine which means more energy saved if stored in batteries for use at night and cloudy days. The less usage from Utility Eskom’s grid, the greater the propensity for savings on ones utility bills.

SWH is ideally used for heating of hot water geysers, basins and sinks, Solar water can get up to a very high temperature and there will be a need to add cold water to get it to a comfortable temperature.

In order to find the best systems its best to do some serious research, the internet offers great scope for such research, and before deciding one should look at all aspects related to SWH systems. On Prices of these systems a good idea is to a price comparison, then look at recommendations from satisfied customers with the company you choose to use.

Installing a solar hot water system often adds value to a home as well and can very well be a selling point when the time comes to sell your home.