Solar Thermal Energy Basics >> What is Solar?
Somerset Solar Thermal Heating
Solar thermal energy is used worldwide as it is the cleanest and most inexhaustible of all energy sources which can be used for the home. Solar radiation includes heat, light and other radiation which is produced by the sun and it contains massive amounts of energy. This energy is responsible for all life and affects almost every natural process that takes place on earth. This energy from the sun, however, has been difficult to use efficiently until quite recently.
Technologies which use solar energy can be divided into two types, Solar Thermal and Light. Photo-voltaic (PV) cells are what most people think of when they think of solar energy. PV uses semiconductors to convert the sun's light directly into electricity. This can be used directly or to charge a battery. PV panels are growing in popularity as they are becoming more and more efficient. PV can be very versatile. They are simple to fit for domestic and light commercial use. They provide a totally clean, renewable source of electricity which can be used to supplement mains supply, cutting carbon emissions and electricity bills.
Solar thermal energy is far more efficient than PV. Solar thermal energy has been used in a passive form to heat buildings for countless years. Simple techniques to use the right materials and designs mean that a building is warmed by the sun and retains that heat. Today, however, we have more active techniques directly heating water for household use, especially in central heating systems.
Across the world solar thermal heating can be used for a number of applications including hot running water, space heating and cooling via use of absorption chilling technology. Even in colder climates, modern solar thermal systems are now efficient enough to work well.
By switching to solar and other forms of renewable energy you can cut the quantities of fossil fuels used for heating. This will directly reducing CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. The average household can cut its CO2 emissions by as much as 20% by installing an Apricus solar collector.
Apricus solar heating systems use evacuated tubes, which have become more and more popular. Because of this growth of popularity we can offer then with lower manufacturing and material costs. The result is that evacuated tubes are now similar in price to older flat plate collectors, but with the massively improved efficiency which will make them the choice for thermal solar applications worldwide.