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.