Solar energy uses

Solar energy uses

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Solar energy is a renewable resource that the Sun provides us. The Sun is the great star of our solar system with 1.4 million kilometers in diameter. It is formed by a series of hot gases and the most abundant are: 71% hydrogen and 21% helium. These gases are converted into energy in the core of the sun and this energy that is generated is released from inside the sun to the solar system in the form of light and heat. The light and heat that are released by the sun, are the energy that reaches us and makes life possible in it.

In addition to making life possible on earth, this solar energy that comes to us is given different uses or use. Knowing this, it is convenient to know better how solar energy occurs. As mentioned above, solar radiation reaches the earth in the form of light and heat, this energy is captured by the solar panels or panels through different captors (photocéleles, heliosteats or solar collectors), once the energy is captured, it is well transformed into thermal or electrical energy.

If after reading this you want to continue discovering this renewable energy and see what we can offer, we encourage you What are the uses of solar energy.

TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is being imposed globally leaving other types of energy more and more, such as those that come from fossil fuels (oil, gas or coal). If you investigate a little online, we can find several rankings where the main solar energy producing countries appear.

The ten that produce this energy are: China, the United States, Japan, India, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Australia and Pakistan. Now, the two TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY More used we are are:

  • Solar thermal energy.
  • Photovoltaic solar energy.
  • Bioclimatic energy, a more recent type of renewable energy.

The ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY With respect to other energies, they are basically that it is a very clean and inexhaustible energy. As disadvantage is its discontinuity, since this energy depends on the weather, and the visual impact generated by the panel fields or solar panels.

Solar thermal energy is the one used to Provide heat such as, for the use of heating or heating water. The uses of photovoltaic solar energy are provide electricityto reach it, solar radiation becomes through the photovoltaic plates in electricity.

Bioclimatic energy consists in the use of Solar energy in construction such as, for example, the greatest use of natural light, but for this the climate conditions of the place where the new building will be produced must be taken into account.

Now that you know what it is, we will know 10 uses of solar energy that may interest you.

Uses of Solar Energy - Types of Solar Energy

10 uses of solar energy

In the following list it is shown What is solar energy for And, in general, the uses you can have:

  • Bioclimatic architecture.
  • Electricity.
  • Lightning.
  • Sanitary hot water production (ACS).
  • Heating.
  • Water heating of swimming pools and spas.
  • Irrigation.
  • Transport.
  • Wearable technology.
  • Ships and satellites.

We will see the use of solar energy in these examples so you can understand the 10 ways to take advantage of solar energy.

Bioclimatic architecture

It is one of the most recent uses with respect to the production of electricity, lighting or water heating. It is based on the construction and design of buildings and homes in such a way that it is allowed Take advantage of natural light and solar energy.

In this way, windows and walls can capture and store energy to distribute it in the form of heat in cold times and that can reject this energy in times of heat. The use of natural solar energy provided by bioclimatic architecture is exempt from electrical and mechanical devices.

Electricity

It is one of the best known uses by all. It is thanks to the photovoltaic solar panelsthat they take care of Transform solar energy into electricitythat we can give you the use we want in our homes, from loading a mobile phone to putting a washing machine.

For the use of this electricity, the capacity of the system we have installed must be taken into account. This energy can be stored in batteries giving the possibility of having electric current in cloudy periods.

Solar energy uses - Electricity

Lightning

It is one of the solar energy uses Better known, since it is increasingly common to see lights with a small solar energy collector. It is used to illuminate exteriors such as:

  • Roads
  • Trails
  • Roads

All this without using an electric laying. This is possible since the different lighting points have a small plate that captures solar energy During the day, it stores it and when the night comes it makes use of this stored energy by providing light.

Solar Energy Uses - Lighting

Sanitary hot water production (ACS)

He health wateralso known as hands water, needs 45 ° C to disinfect and be able to be used for this purpose and it is easy to take water at this temperature with Thermal solar panels. These Thermal panels Not only are they seen in houses that have been constructed recently, but also in homes already built previously in which a replacement is made in the facilities, this replacement allows important economic savings to both households and companies.

Uses of Solar Energy - Teaching Water Production (ACS)

Heating or air conditioning

Solar energy is captured and transformed into Thermal energy. This use is valid for both hot air in winter and cold in summer. Allows a strong 70% energy savings And, therefore, also an economic savings. We can find two systems:

  • Active system: which makes use of pumps the circulation of hot water to transfer heat.
  • Passive system: Natural water circulation is used.

Water heating, swimming pools and spas

To heat water the thermal energy is used that is achieved from the solar energy. This is an increasingly common use in places where sunny climate is predominant, such as Spain or Latin America. This practice means an important economic savings in electricity or gas in homes, in addition to allowing the bath duration of the bathroom in the pools, whether interior or exterior.

Electricity with solar energy

The utility of solar energy currently also we see it in transport. Said transport with solar energy is something that is still in developmentbut it is already being applied, above all, to buses, railways, electric cars and roads that can be activated with sunlight.

This is achieved through the Photovoltaic energy. If this development with photovoltaic energy gave good results would help in a very important way to reduce pollution in urban nuclei.

Uses of Solar Energy - Electric Transport with Solar Energy

Irrigation

Because water optimization is increasingly important, solar energy can be used, which is a good ally since through the installation of bombs working with solar energy Allows farmers regulate irrigation and, therefore, a good optimization of this. This practice for water savings that can mean a small breath to water or aquifers reserves depending on its origin.

Here you can discover more about what solar irrigation is and how to do it.

Uses of Solar Energy - Irrigation

Wearable technology

At present it is very common to carry intelligent devices, not only a mobile, but also other devices such as tablets, smart watches or electronic books. This has led to solar batteries capable of loading these devices or devices that are loaded alone with being exposed to sunlightwe can find ourselves from a dryer or radio to a wireless speaker and a tablet.

In addition, it now also applies to what is known as Weareable technologysuch as smart watches that are loaded with sunlight or smart glasses that are loaded in the same way.

Uses of Solar Energy - Wearable Technology

Ships and satellites

So that the satellites and ships we know can have a minimum life time, they need a minimum technology as well. It is here where the use of solar energy intervenes, which allows them to stay away from the earth without going down to recharge.

Now that you know the use of solar energy, if you want to know better this renewable energy and discover more about its uses and advantages, we recommend this other video where we give more details of The usefulness of solar energy currently.

If you want to read more articles similar to Solar energy useswe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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