The topic of sustainable and affordable solar energy is trending almost everywhere. It is the energy produced using the radiation of the sun. Wondering how you can use this energy in different aspects to improve the quality of your life? Keep scrolling to learn about multiple applications of solar energy.
Solar energy for affordable and eco-friendly electricity
Electric energy production is the major application of solar energy. The electricity can be directly generated from photovoltaic cells or PV cells (a conversion device that converts sunlight photons straight into electricity). PV cells are made of semiconductors that collect photons received from the sunlight.
Reduced electricity bills, low maintenance costs, and emission of no harmful gases are some reasons homeowners should invest in solar energy. Moreover, rooftop solar panels also improve the value of a home. All appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, fans, LEDs, and more can run easily through solar electricity. Once installed properly, the solar panels can last for about more than 25 years. It can reduce the utility bill by up to 90%.
Solar energy for outdoor lights
The advanced solar systems cannot only light indoor areas but several new solar systems are designed for outdoor lighting. Solar streetlights can turn on and turn off automatically by detecting outdoor light through solar panel voltage. These lights can be installed on highways, roads, factory premises, housing complexes, streets, and parks.
Solar garden lights are strategically installed to highlight the key sections of the garden. They do not just save money on utility bills and batteries but also enhance the look and value of the garden. Different types of solar garden lights are available to choose from including deck lights, post lights, spotlights, fence lights, and more.
Solar-powered EV charging stations
The electric vehicles you’re using can now be charged with less expenses by switching to solar EV charging stations. Such stations can be installed in parks, shopping centers, restaurants, rest stops along highways, and other areas making it easier for electric vehicle owners to charge their vehicles. These charging stations are simple to operate and need minimal maintenance. Contact a rooftop solar installation company to know more about how many solar panels you’ll require and how much grid electricity costs it can eliminate.
Solar-powered battery chargers
The battery chargers powered by renewable solar energy are called solar-powered battery chargers. They can be used to recharge the batteries of any modern-day devices like PDAs, laptops, iPods, cell phones, digital cameras, etc. Chargers with different voltage capacities are available in the market to buy the best one that fits your requirements properly.
These chargers have 12V (volts), 24V, 36V, and more capacities. Moreover, their capacities can be as low as 3V to charge a 6V NiCad battery from cell phones. Solar-powered chargers are more cost-efficient than conventional battery chargers as they use a renewable source of energy i.e. sunlight.
Some solar-powered battery chargers are waterproof and effective in cold climates and sunny days. The portable characteristic makes them easier to carry while traveling around. You can charge your devices when you’re in remote areas or even when there is a power cut-off.
Solar storage system
These modern-day storage systems are designed to store the electricity produced from the solar energy. Rather than sending the excess electricity to the energy grid, it can be stored in these storage systems. Researchers are developing more innovative ways to store power produced by the solar system for commercial building on a larger scale.
Floating solar farms
Floatovoltaics are some sort of PV (photovoltaic) solar energy systems that are manufactured to float on the surface of water bodies. According to research reports, the floating solar farms installed on one-fourth of the man-made reservoirs can produce enough power to meet the energy requirements of the country. Introducing these solar systems help in eliminating evaporative water loss and algae blooms, reducing the cost of water treatments.
PV solar noise barriers
The noise pollution created due to traffic on roads can now be controlled using the highly advanced solar technology of PV solar noise barriers. These solar systems are designed to reflect noise away from nearby regions. However, researchers keep studying the ways solar cells can be integrated into these noise barriers to ensure sustainable energy production.
Solar water heating
Sustainable solar water heating systems can be used in tourist bungalows, canteens, hotels, industrial and domestic units, guest houses, and hospitals. These solar systems have a blackened flat plate metal collector with metal tubing facing the basic sun direction. The collector consists of a thermal insulation layer beneath and a transparent glass cover above it.
The metal tubing is linked to an insulated tank by a pipe. The tank stores the hot water on rainy days. The collector captures the sunlight and sends the heat to the water circulating via tubing either by a pump or gravity. The hot water is then transferred to the tank through metal tubing.
Solar advertising light box
Solar power systems can often be used to power signs or advertising light boxes that use internal illumination. These boxes don’t need infrastructure to connect to electric lines as a source of electricity. They can be installed in remote locations without wondering about the power supply. Using these solar technologies also improves the reputation of a brand or business by showing their willingness in taking responsibility for saving the environment.
Conclusion
From running basic household appliances, commercial machinery, to charging electric vehicles and ensuring the brightness of light on the road and streets during the night, solar energy is being used everywhere. The demand for cost-effective, clean, and sustainable energy will keep on rising day by day. This means, more solar technologies will be launched in the coming years with enhanced solar cell capacities and increased battery life.
Avant-garde solar energy and storage technologies will bring more design options for smaller and more powerful PV cells to be used in multiple ways to ensure improved quality of life without burning a hole in users’ pockets and without damaging the environment.