SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS

Solar Heating Systems are an example of Second Generation Technology paying dividends in households today.

Tons-of-thousands of homes heat their pools and water, using solar thermal collectors in a fluid system, at very low cost. These domestic systems use the sun to heat–or additionally heat–water, saving the energy cost to do it electrically, or by gas combustion.  These homes are dependent on sunlight to supplement these systems, but in sunny areas they can produce from 50 to 75% of the hot water required.

The development of photovoltaic modules and panels and their integration into power plants by converting solar energy directly into electricity, is giving power source to small signs and lights in remote areas and generating as much as 15 MW of power in North America’s largest installation, the Nellis Solar Power Plant.  Victoria Australia is home of the world’s largest solar plant producing an incredible 154 MW (16/17/A) of power.

CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER

Solar thermal power stations are parabolic through power plants, which use movable reflector (mirrors or lenses) collectors called Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).  There are different designs:  Power Tower collectors, Dish Stirling systems, Fesnel Reflectors, and Linear Fresnel Reflectors.  Whichever is used, the sun’s energy is reflected, then concentrated at a point, producing high enough heat levels (up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit) to produce steam for turbine- produced electricity.  Heat above 600 degrees may power gas turbines.  Heat storage system developments have aided greatly in allowing the system designs to become more efficient and cost effective (see Reference A).