Affordable Solar & Wind

Understanding Solar Thermal

Solar Thermal is the heating of air or water using the energy of the sun.  Imagine a cold crisp winter day and inside your home its toasty warm.  You have not heard the furnace, or boiler, run.  The gas bill came in the mail a few days ago and you smile to yourself knowing that this time last year you were paying double or maybe triple this amount.  Now it's time for a shower and get dressed for the day, again you smile knowing that your hot water is not going to take money out of your pocket.  Even doing the laundry and washing dishes won't make a dent in your wallet.  Does this sound too good to be true?  Well it's not thanks to Solar Energy.

Up on your roof is a series of solar collectors that capture the heat from the sun and convert it to heating your hot water.  A set of coils in your hot water tank are connected to these collectors and a heat conducting food grade glycol circulates, transferring this heat energy.  If you have radiant floor heat and a boiler system then a set of coils would be connected to another holding tank that is connected to your boiler.  This tank preheats the water for your boiler so it doesn't have to work as hard burning gas to heat the house.

In as little as two days a thermal system can be installed on your home and you could start saving money.  A team of two installers and a Mater Plumber are all that is needed.  These highly trained personal work with your busy schedule so there is minimal amount of time needed to disrupt your life.

What does this all mean to you?  A smaller gas bill each and every month for the next 25 plus years.  With the money you save on your gas bill, you could pay off a Solar Thermal system in as little as five  to six years (without incentives or tax credits).  Add on these credits and incentives and your return on your investment drops even quicker.

Contact your local Renewable Energy systems provider today and find out what a Solar Thermal system can do for you and your family.

About the Author

Robert Craig of D & R Energy Services holds 2 degrees in Engineering and has been in the Energy field for over 25 years.

solar thermal collectors using aire

Solar Thermal Energy $90.81 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Solar thermal energy (STE) is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat). Solar thermal collectors are defined by the USA Energy Information Administration as low, medium, or hightemperature collectors. Low temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. Mediumtemperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use. High temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses and are generally used for electric power production. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 132 Publication Date: 2010/07/13 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

Ps20 Solar Power Tower $78.07 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Planta Solar 20 or PS20 solar power tower is a solar thermal energy plant in Sanlucar la Mayor near the southern Spanish city of Seville. It is the worlds most powerful solar power tower. The 20 megawatt solar power tower produces electricity with large movable mirrors called heliostats. Solar thermal energy (STE) is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat). Solar thermal collectors are defined by the USA Energy Information Administration as low, medium, or hightemperature collectors. Low temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. Mediumtemperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 108 Publication Date: 2010/07/13 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.25 inches

Solar Energy Collectors, Segs Plant, Mojave, CA $24.99 E. J. West Solar Energy Collectors, Segs Plant, Mojave, CA - Photographic Print

Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology $95.08 Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology describes thesuccesses andfailures of the commercialization efforts of the U.S.solar thermal energy program, from the oil embargo of 1973 throughthe demise of the program in the early Reaganadministration andits afterlife since then. The emphasis throughout is onlessonslearned from the solar experience, with an eye toward applicationsto otherprojects as well as toward possible renewal of efforts atcommercialization.Part Idiscusses the history of government involvement in solardevelopment and the paralleldevelopment of the market for solarproducts. Part II looks at the histories ofspecific commercializationprograms for five areas (active heating and cooling, passivetechnologies, passive commercial building activities, industrialprocess heat, and hightemperature technologies). Parts IIIVIIIfocus in turn on demonstration andconstruction projects, qualityassurance, information dissemination programs, effortsto transfertechnology to industry, incentive programs (tax credits, financing, andgrants), and organizational support.Solar Heat Technologies: Fundamentals andApplications, Volume 10 Author: Larson, Ronald/ Larson, Ronal/ West, Ronald E. Series Title: Solar Heat Technologies Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 1007 Publication Date: 2003/01/01 Age Level: 22 UP Language: English Dimensions: 9.00 x 6.00 x 1.98 inches

Parobolic Mirrors at a Solar Thermal Plant are Used to Heat Oil $39.99 Michael Melford Parobolic Mirrors at a Solar Thermal Plant are Used to Heat Oil - Photographic Print

Shards of Old Mirrors at a Solar Thermal Plant are Used to Heat Oil $39.99 Michael Melford Shards of Old Mirrors at a Solar Thermal Plant are Used to Heat Oil - Photographic Print

Collectors $19.99 Stephen Arens Collectors - Photographic Print

Solar Water Heating $68.51 Solar Water Heating. Solar energy, Solar combisystem, Solar heating, Solar thermal energy Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 68 Publication Date: 2009/09/22 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.16 inches

Solar Collectors By Killian, Artur V. (EDT) $238.98 Author: Killian, Artur V. (EDT) Series Title: Renewable Energy: Research, Development and Policies Subtitle: Energy Conservation, Design and Applications Publication Date: 2009/09/25 Number of Pages: 349 Binding Type: Hardcover Language: English Depth: 1.25 Width: 7.25 Height: 10.75

Solar Chimney $81.25 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A solar chimney often referred to as a thermal chimney is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy. A simple description of a solar chimney is that of a vertical shaft utilizing solar energy to enhance the natural stack ventilation through a building.The solar chimney has been in use for centuries, particularly in the Middle east, as well as by the Romans. In its simplest form, the solar chimney consists of a blackpainted chimney. During the day solar energy heats the chimney and the air within it, creating an updraft of air in the chimney. The suction created at the chimneys base can be used to ventilate and cool the building below. In most parts of the world it is easier to harness wind power for such ventilation as is done with a Badgir ( ), but on hot windless days a Solar chimney can provide ventilation where otherwise there would be none. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 106 Publication Date: 2010/07/31 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.25 inches

Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal (Pv/T) Water Heating System $119.48 Solar energy is nonpolluting and one of the most efficient and affordable energy alternatives available today. Hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) technology is the most promising technology for cogeneration of heat and electricity. The conversion efficiency of PV depends upon its operating temperature which can be maintained by withdrawing/utilizing the thermal energy associated with it using water/air. In the present book, design, modelling and experimental study of an integrated PV/T water heater under Indian climatic conditions have been studied. Book includes, annual performance, overall thermal and electrical efficiency, instantaneous efficiency, energy and exergetic analysis, analysis of various configurations of PV/T collectors and withdrawal rates, energy metrics, energy pay back time and production factor, life cycle cost analysis, embodied energy and energy density, CO2 mitigation, and carbon trading. It also covered the economic, cost effective and sustainable aspects of PV/T technology. This study will be very helpful for undergraduate and postgraduate students, scientists, and professionals working on application of photovoltaics and global climate change. Author: Dubey, Swapnil Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: 2010/07/08 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.37 inches

Solar Tres Power Tower $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Solar Tres is a planned 15 MW power plant based on solar thermal energy. It is located west of the city of cija, in Andalusia, Spain. Solar Tres is based on the solar power tower concepts pioneered in the U.S.s Solar One and Solar Two demonstration projects. Solar Tres uses a molten salt as its working fluid, allowing it to be stored in the molten state for power generation at any time. The project, which has received a subsidy of five million Euro from the European Commission, makes use of the Solar Two technology tested in Barstow, California, but will be approximately three times the size. Solar Tres will make use of several advances in technology since Solar Two was designed and built. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/07/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.18 inches

Solar Technologies for Buildings $256.58 A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity productionProvides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of Uvalues, IV curve parameters and radiance distribution modellingDiscusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systemsCoverage of cuttingedge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects Author: Eicker, Ursula Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 323 Publication Date: 2003/07/28 Language: English Dimensions: 9.94 x 6.62 x 0.93 inches

Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems By Earthscan (COR) $278.8 Author: Earthscan (COR) Subtitle: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers Publication Date: 2010/05/07 Number of Pages: 355 Binding Type: Spiral Language: English Depth: 1.00 Width: 9.00 Height: 11.25

Solar $124.99 Solar - Laminated Oversized Art

Solar Power in the European Union $89.22 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Solar power consists of photovoltaic and solar thermal power. The need for the strategic development of photovoltaic systems in the EU has led to the creation of PVNET, a network that gathers representatives from all the sectors of the research and development community concerned with the photovoltaic solar energy industry (see solar cell). The network promotes communication between speakers through the organisation of specialised conferences, workshops and congresses. This interaction has led to the editing of a waybill, finished in 2003 with the aim of providing a solid basis for EU leaders and European citizens to base their decisions and policy making and in order to help reach the objective set by the European Commission to multiply the use of photovoltaic systems by thirty times by 2010. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 140 Publication Date: 2010/05/19 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.32 inches

Practical Solar, Inc. $58.94 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Practical Solar, Inc. is an American manufacturer of heliostats used for concentrating solar power, as well as for residential and commercial natural lighting (daylighting) applications. The company, located in Boston, Massachusetts, introduced its heliostat system for sale in February 2009. Practical Solars heliostats are small in the spectrum of heliostats commercially available for harnessing solar thermal energy. They each have 8 square feet (0.74 meters) of reflector area. To put this in perspective, the heliostats in a solar power tower project in Seville, Spain each have reflectors nearly 1,300 square feet in size (120 square meters). Practical Solars heliostat system is the first computercontrolled heliostat system that can be installed by hand, using only hand tools. Practical Solars founder Bruce Rohr suggested in Northeast Sun magazine that small heliostats are more reliable and more costeffective per square meter of reflective area than the larger heliostats typically used in solar power tower projects. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: 2010/07/21 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.17 inches