Solar thermal is the collection, storage, and use of heat from sunshine. It is one of the most efficient means of using solar energy. Think about how hot your car gets when you park it in the sun – with a thermal system, you capture this energy and make it work for you.
There is a huge amount of energy in solar radiation, and the sunshine on one square foot in one year is equal to the energy in 2.5 gallons of oil. Two or three collectors can easily supply all the hot water for an average family on sunny days. Even on cloudy winter days, they can make a substantial contribution and cut utility bills.
Technologies
A wide range of solar thermal technologies exist. Basic domestic water for residential and commercial applications work very well to supply daily hot water needs. Space heating systems can be sized for that application. Pool heating collectors will offset traditional demands and lengthen the swimming season. Parabolic trough systems can be used for high temperature applications to supply space heating and cooling or high temperature industrial process heat. They can even be set up to drive steam turbines and generate electricity.
Hot Water from the Sun
Solar thermal energy systems capture the heat of the sun and use it to heat water. A properly installed system works year-round even when it's cloudy.
There are two types of systems that work in a freezing climate: Drainback and Pressurized Glycol Systems.
Drainback Systems
Drainback systems are the least expensive and most simple freeze protected systems. They use water for the solar fluid and basic plumbing methods for installation. They have been used for over 100 years.
How it works
info@goodenergysolutions.com or call (785) 371-1198 or (816) 841-4981
- A) The sun heats a non-toxic, freeze-proof solar fluid in the solar collectors on the roof.
- B) The controller detects that the collector fluid is hotter than the water in the hot water tank.
- C) A pump in the Solar Station pumps solar fluid from the collector to the hot water tank.
- D) The solar fluid flows through a pipe coiling inside the hot water tank, and heats the water in the tank.
- The hot water is available for use in the house.
- A) The solar fluid is pumped back up to the collector, where it is once again heated by the sun.
In some cases a drainback system will not work because the fluid will not drain completely when the pump is off. In that case, a pressurized glycol system is used.
How it works
Pool Heating systems are relatively inexpensive and can add two or three months onto your swimming season in cooler climates.
How it works
For larger commercial or industrial applications, these systems can use the sun to supply high temperature process heat, air conditioning, and even electricity generation.
How it works
- A) Using your existing pool pump, pool water is directed through a series of valves to your solar collectors.
- B) Pool water enters the solar collectors at the bottom and rises to the top through the individual tubes of the collector.
- C) As the water rises through the collector it is heated by the sun's radiant energy.
- The swimming pool water is then returned to your pool to repeat the cycle until your pool is warm.
