The use of solar energy has increased significantly in the last couple of decades. Solar energy offers a more eco-friendly than non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels.
Solar energy is accessible to the everyday individual through the installation of solar panels in the home. Many people are choosing to find a local solar panel installer and get solar panels on their rules or in their gardens to provide ongoing renewable energy to power their properties.
In this article, we are going to discuss what solar energy is and what the future of this renewable energy source looks like as we continue through the 21st century.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the type of energy that is obtained from the light and heat emitted by the Sun. It can be harnessed and converted into usable energy to provide a sustainable way to power homes and businesses.
There are a few different types of technologies that can be used to harness solar energy. The three main types of technologies are photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, and passive solar systems.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems
A photovoltaic system is a type of technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity via solar cells made from semi-conductive materials like silicon. These cells capture the energy from some mites and release electrons to generate an electron current.
Solar thermal systems
Solar thermal systems harness the Sun’s energy to generate heat, which can be used for heating water and homes or producing steam for electrical production on a larger scale. The two main types of solar thermal systems are concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar water heating systems.
CSP systems use mirrors and lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small volume of fluid. Doing so causes the production of steam that can power a turbine, which, in turn, powers an electricity generator.
A solar water heating system uses sunlight to heat water, providing hot water for residential use.
Passive solar systems
Passive solar systems don’t require electrical or mechanical processes to produce electricity. Instead, they use certain materials to capture light, heat, and energy, store this energy, and distribute it appropriately.
A common example of a passive solar system is a large window, which maximises the amount of natural light and heat entering a room. Architects may place windows in a building such that they face the side of the building that receives the most sunlight.
What Are the Benefits of Using Solar Energy?
So, why should you switch to using solar energy over other forms of energy? Here are some of the key benefits of going solar:
The idea of having an energy-independent home is quite enticing for any homeowner. It comes with a lot of advantages, the main one being the fact that you won’t be affected by utility rate fluctuations. Also, you’ll be promoting the ‘green energy’ campaign, which is currently being recommended as a way of preserving the environment. Fortunately, it’s an attainable dream given the rapid advancement in the world of energy storage. All you need is a set of solar panels or a solar energy provider, and a battery backup to satisfy your needs.
Solar batteries are an integral part of this setup since they ensure a continuous supply of power if the grid goes down. This article will break down the seemingly complex operation of these storage devices into a few easy-to-understand steps. The discussion will revolve around a battery that’s already paired with a solar system rather than a standalone solar battery storage.
Feeding the Solar Energy
When sunlight rays hit the panels, the visible light is converted to electrical energy. The electrical current flows into the battery and is stored as DC electricity. It’s worth noting that there are two types of solar batteries: AC-coupled and DC-coupled. The latter has a built-in inverter that can convert the electricity current to DC or AC. As such, the DC solar electricity will flow from the panels to an external power inverter, which will convert it to AC energy that can either be used by your home appliances or stored in the AC battery. What the built-in inverter will do in this case is convert the AC electricity back to DC for storage.
As for a DC-coupled system, the battery doesn’t have a built-in inverter. As such, the DC electricity from the solar panels flows to the battery via a charge controller. Unlike in an AC setup, the power inverter in this system is only connected to your home’s wiring. As such, electricity from the solar panels or your storage battery is converted from DC to AC before flowing to your home appliances. What determines how much energy is stored in the battery? Read on to find out more.
The Charging Process
As power flows from the solar panels, your home’s electricity setup will take precedence. Therefore, electricity directly feeds your appliances, like refrigerators, TVs, and lights. Often, this energy from solar panels can be more than what you need. For instance, on a hot afternoon, a lot of power is produced, yet your home isn’t using much of it. In such a scenario, net metering occurs, wherein the extra energy flows back to the grid. However, you can use this overflow to charge up your batteries.
The amount of electricity stored in the battery depends on how fast it charges up. If, for example, your home doesn’t use up too much power, then the charging process will be quick. Also, if you’re connected to huge panels, then a lot of electric energy will flow to your home, which means the batteries will charge up a lot faster. Once your battery is full, the charge controller will prevent it from overcharging.
If you are actively looking towards the idea of having clean, free energy, but don’t have enough money to invest in solar panels, you should definitely consider buying a solar generator. Solar generators utilize solar panels, capturing the sun’s energy. The solar energy is stored in a batter. A solar generator has four components, including the solar panels, controller, inverter, and solar battery.
Solar generators don’t require fuel to work—all you need to do is set up the solar panel, and you’ll benefit from clean, renewable energy. Because solar generators don’t release pollutants, you can safeguard your family’s health and protect the environment. Solar generators are highly preferred over traditional generators because they’re quiet, low-maintenance, and cost-effective.
Why Do You Need A Solar Battery?
Homeowners can use Plico Energy’s solar calculator or any similar online tool to determine how much solar energy they need. But even if you have a rough idea of the amount of solar power you need to sustain your daily tasks, it’s still important to buy a solar battery. Here are some of the reasons why you should invest in a solar battery:
1. To shield you from power outages
If you’re connected to a grid, there’ll always be a few moments when the transmission system malfunctions or is shut down for maintenance. As soon as this happens, the system will isolate your home from the grid and activate the backup source. In this case, the battery will operate like a backup generator.
Having backup power through solar batteries can prevent the inconveniences associated with outages. Hence, you can continue using your appliances for household chores, entertainment, studying, or working at home. Most of all, if you have a sick family member needing a piece of medical equipment, such as an oxygen tank or a respirator, you won’t face problems with sourcing a generator or a power backup.
2. Time-of-use rate plans
On these plans, you’ll be charged according to the amount of electricity you use, as well as the time during which you use it. TOU states that the power drawn from the grid at night is more valuable than the extra energy produced during the day. As such, by storing the extra energy and using it at night, you’ll reduce the overall cost of electricity in your home.
Governments around the world are recognising the benefits of solar batteries. So much so, that they are offering rebates for homeowners to help with the upfront cost of buying a solar battery. These rebates for solar batteries are becoming more and more popular and are a sign of the huge benefits batteries provide to homeowners and the world. Solar battery rebates are helping to promote the adoption of solar energy systems in many countries.
Closing Remarks
With the world embracing ‘green energy,’ solar panels are gradually replacing the traditional sources of electricity. Solar batteries play a crucial role in ensuring that you have a reliable power supply in your home. AC-couple storage batteries have a built-in inverter, which converts the electric current to DC or AC, depending on the direction.
On the other hand, a DC-couple battery doesn’t have this feature. Both batteries, however, store electric energy in DC regardless of the setup. The speed at which electricity is stored in the batteries depends on the size of the panels and the amount used by your home appliances.
Germany has been called “the world’s first major renewable energy economy” as the country is one of the world’s most prolific users of renewable energy for power, heating, and transport. Germany has rapidly expanded the use of clean energy which now contributes almost one-fourth to the national energy mix. Renewable energy contribute as much as one-fourth of the primary energy mix and the country has set a goal to producing 35 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and 100 percent by 2050.
Solar Energy
Germany is the world’s biggest solar market and largest PV installer with a solar PV capacity of more than 49.78 GW at the end of 2019. The German new solar PV installations increased by about 4 GW in 2019. Germany has nearly as much installed solar power generation capacity as the rest of the world combined and gets about 5 percent of its overall annual electricity needs from solar power alone.
In 2019, German photovoltaic (PV) plants fed about 46.5 TWh into the public electricity grid, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to 2018.
Wind Energy
Germany’s wind energy industry is one of the world’s largest, and it is at the forefront of technological development. Over half of all wind turbines in Germany are owned by local residents, farmers and local authorities which have tremendously improved the acceptance of wind turbines among local communities as they directly profit.
Being Europe’s primary wind energy market, Germany represents around 30 percent of total installed capacity in Europe and 12 percent of global installed capacity. Total wind energy capacity in Germany was 59.3 GW at the end of year 2019. Currently Germany is ranked third worldwide in installed total wind capacity with its share of total domestic electricity production forecasted to reach 25 percent by 2025.
Wind became the main electricity source in Germany for the first time in 2019. In eight months of the year 2019, the electricity generation from wind surpassed brown coal and in twelve months nuclear. Together wind and solar power plants generated a total of ca. 173 TWh electricity in 2019.
Biomass Energy
Biomass energy is making a significant contribution to renewable energy supply in Germany and accounts for about 5.5 percent of the total electricity production in the country. Germany is the market leader in biogas technology and is also Europe’s biggest biogas producer. Last year around 7,600 systems with a cumulative capacity of 3,200 MW generated 21.9 billion kWh in the country, thus consolidating Germany’s status as a pioneer in clean energy technologies.
Renewable Energy Investment
Germany’s plan to phase out all 17 of its nuclear power plants and shift to renewable energy by 2022 is the largest infrastructure investment program in Europe since World War II. The country’s transition from nuclear energy-based power network to renewable energy systems will require investments of much as $55 billion by 2030.
Germany is the world’s third largest market for renewable energy investment which and ranked 5th in the Bloomberg’s 2018 global renewable investment report with total investments of $10.5 billion in 2018. Sixty-five percent of investment in Germany was directed toward solar, with 29 percent directed to wind.
The country offers generous feed-in-tariffs for investors across all renewable energy segments which is attracting huge private capital in cleantech investments. In 2018, the majority of cleantech investment came from corporate investors across all sectors of the economy, including farmers, energy utilities, and industrial and commercial enterprises.
In 2019, the total electricity production in Germany from all renewable sources was about 237 TWh, an increase of 7 percent compared to 2018, and above fossil fuel carriers (207 TWh) for the first time.
Bioenergy has emerged as a viable competitor in the race for a sustainable energy future. It provides an environmentally friendly alternative to standard fossil fuels, a significant step forward. Bioenergy, derived from organic resources such as plants, agricultural wastes, and organic waste, can potentially decrease greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the effects of climate change. The issue, however, comes in finding an equilibrium between fulfilling the expanding global need for energy and guaranteeing the sustainability of bioenergy production.
Bioenergy – The Potential Future
Bioenergy has been used by mankind for ages in various ways, ranging from the combustion of wood to provide heat to the harnessing of the power of biomass for the transmission of electricity. Because the carbon dioxide emitted during burning is accounted for by the carbon absorbed during the development of the organic materials, bioenergy sources are considered carbon-neutral compared to fossil fuels. The fact that bioenergy is carbon neutral by its nature makes it a vital element in the process of transitioning to a low-carbon energy future.
Biomass and Biofuels
It is possible to obtain a wide variety of bioenergy from biomass, which is derived from both plant and animal sources. In addition to being directly used for heating purposes, it can also be turned into biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The problem comes in sustainably obtaining biomass to prevent challenges regarding land usage and deforestation. New technologies, such as second-generation biofuels that are created from non-food crops and agricultural leftovers, are being developed to solve these concerns about the environment.
Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas
During anaerobic digestion, organic materials are broken down in the absence of oxygen, which results in the production of biogas that is abundant in methane. This biogas can potentially be used as a clean cooking fuel or to generate electricity. Suitable feedstocks for anaerobic digestion include municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, and treatment plants for wastewater. These feedstocks contribute to the reduction of waste while simultaneously contributing to the generation of sustainable energy.
Weather API Integration
Since weather conditions majorly affect bioenergy production, incorporating weather APIs becomes very important. The meteorological data that is collected in real-time can be of assistance in optimizing energy production, foreseeing the availability of resources, and enhancing overall efficiency. Facilities that generate bioenergy can improve their operational planning, lower the risks associated with unfavorable weather occurrences, and ensure a more dependable and consistent energy output if they include weather predictions in their energy production processes.
The Problem of Long-Term Sustainability
Even though bioenergy is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional energy sources, there is an important concern over the sustainability of the technologies used to produce it. A lack of fairness in the use of land for the cultivation of bioenergy crops may destroy forests, cause the loss of biodiversity, and cause competition with food crops. Achieving the optimal equilibrium necessitates implementing severe sustainability requirements, promoting responsible land-use practices, and encouraging the production of energy crops in marginal areas to prevent the compromise of food security.
Advancements in Technology
The development of more efficient and environmentally friendly bioenergy technology is important. The future holds exciting biotechnological advancements, such as crops modified to have a greater energy content as well as higher rates of conversion. Further, combining artificial intelligence and precision agriculture can optimize land usage, water consumption, and resource utilization in bioenergy production.
Policy Frameworks and Global Collaboration
International cooperation and coherent policy frameworks are essential for bioenergy’s long-term viability. Responsible bioenergy production, equitable land-use policies, and novel, long-term bioenergy technology development need concerted efforts by governments, businesses, and academic institutions.
Conclusion
Bioenergy is the way to go when it comes to meeting global energy demands and reducing the impact of climate change. Through a meticulous examination of sustainability and demand, along with the use of new technologies, we could delve into the capabilities of bioenergy to establish an energy system that is cleaner and more robust. Bioenergy has the potential to play a pivotal role in the worldwide shift towards a low-carbon future if we prioritize ethical practices, technical innovation, and international collaboration.
In the era of environmental consciousness, the quest for sustainable energy solutions has led to significant advancements in solar technology. Among the key players in this domain, REC – a prominent solar energy company – has stimulated notable attention for its innovative approach to solar panel development. Ergo, this article provides an in-depth exploration of REC solar panels, assessing their features, benefits and how they contribute to sustainable home energy.
Understanding REC Solar Panels
REC (the Renewable Energy Corporation) has established itself as a leader in the solar industry with a focus on research, development and production of high-quality solar panels. REC solar panels are designed to convert sunlight into electricity through the use of advanced silicon technology. The key distinguishing factor lies in their efficiency, durability and commitment to environmental sustainability. These cutting-edge solar panels from REC are efficient and durable, underscoring the company’s dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions for a greener future.
Key Features of REC Solar Panels
REC solar panels are at the forefront of technological innovation in the solar industry. The following key factors set REC panels apart, focusing on high efficiency, robust design and aesthetic appeal:
High efficiency
REC solar panels are engineered for optimal energy conversion, boasting high efficiency that translates into increased electricity generation. This feature is particularly critical for homeowners seeking to maximize the output of their solar systems, making REC panels a sound investment in the pursuit of sustainable energy.
Robust design
The durability of REC solar panels sets them apart in the solar market; rigorous testing ensures their resilience against diverse weather conditions, making them a reliable choice for homeowners in varying climates. The robust design contributes to the longevity of the panels, providing homeowners with a sustainable energy solution that stands the test of time.
Aesthetic appeal
REC recognizes the importance of aesthetics in residential solar integration – the design of their solar panels goes beyond functionality, seamlessly blending with diverse architectural styles. This commitment to aesthetic appeal enables homeowners to harness solar power without compromising the visual harmony of their homes.
Environmental Benefits
Beyond efficiency and design, REC solar panels contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. The following aspects encompass the environmental benefits of adopting REC panels, including the reduction of carbon footprint, responsible resource management and their role in promoting widespread renewable energy adoption:
Reduced carbon footprint
Adopting REC solar panels translates to a tangible reduction in carbon emissions; by harnessing solar energy, homeowners can decrease their reliance on conventional energy sources, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. The reduction of carbon footprint aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation.
Resource conservation
REC places a strong emphasis on responsible resource management; the production process of their solar panels involves efficient use of materials and adherence to sustainable practices. This approach minimizes environmental impact while underscoring REC’s commitment to responsible manufacturing in the solar industry.
Promoting renewable energy adoption
The widespread adoption of REC solar panels contributes to the broader goal of transitioning to renewable energy sources. By choosing REC, homeowners actively participate in the shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape. This collective effort is pivotal in addressing global energy challenges and reducing dependence on finite fossil fuels.
Economic Considerations
Although environmental benefits are undoubtedly paramount, economic considerations are also crucial for homeowners contemplating the switch to solar energy. The following points outline the economic aspects of REC solar panels, including return on investment and incentive programs:
Return on Investment (ROI): While the initial investment in solar panels may seem substantial, REC panels offer a promising return on investment over time. The high efficiency and durability of REC solar panels contribute to long-term cost savings by generating more electricity and requiring fewer replacements or repairs.
Incentive programs: Governments and local authorities often incentivize the adoption of solar energy through various programs; homeowners installing REC solar panels may be eligible for tax credits, rebates or other financial incentives. These programs make solar energy more accessible while accelerating the transition to sustainable practices on a larger scale.
Conclusion
In conclusion, REC solar panels stand at the forefront of sustainable home energy solutions, offering a combination of high efficiency, durability and aesthetic appeal. As the world increasingly turns toward renewable energy, REC’s commitment to environmental responsibility and innovative solar technology positions their panels as a reliable choice for homeowners looking to power the future sustainably. By harnessing the sun’s energy, REC solar panels contribute equally to individual households and the collective effort to build a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Biomass can play a key role in economic development and emerge as a significant alternative to fossil fuels. In this article, we will discuss why fossil fuels are preferred over biomass fuel by the industrial sector.
Pyrolysis and the Promise of Biochar
The end application of biomass mostly depends on the feedstock type and the char conversion process. When processed under controlled conditions, biomass converts to char (or biochar). With the presence of high carbon content in biochar, they are highly dependent on the processing conditions of biomass (or fuel), e.g. wood char produced from pyrolysis at low or no air flow can expect to have high carbon and hydrogen with minimal minerals/inorganic presence.
Gas produced under same condition will have a high presence of heavy aromatic carbon and nitrogen gas. However, under the same conditions, if physical structure of biomass varies, the output results can fluctuate to a significant level.
The temperature, pressure, elemental composition, particle size, physical structure (e.g. density, moisture presence, molecular structure, pore size), heating rate, the maximum temperature of process, retention time during the conversion process can change the composition of biochar produced.
Biomass when converted to char has multiple applications with minimal effect on the environment. It has applications in toxic metal remediation and can remove harmful contaminants from soil which can damage plant growth and soil nutrients.
Char has potential to stabilise cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, but they are found to be most effective in stabilisation of lead and copper. Researchers have found the potential application of biochar in a range of applications, viz. carbon sequestration, solid waste management, green electricity production, wastewater treatment, iron making process and building construction.
Why Fossil Fuel is Preferred Over Biomass Fuel?
Despite the significant contrast of applications and proven to have minimal effect on the environment, why is biomass not preferred or unsuccessful to attract the commercial sector? The answer relies on biomass processing technologies that still need to develop economically feasible. Besides fuel cost, the initial setup of biomass-based technologies need high capital cost, operation and maintenance cost, which eventually lead to a significantly higher cost of end application when compared with fossil fuels.
In most FMCG, sugarcane and fruit-based industries, biomass is produced as their waste, and legal compliances expect them to dispose of their waste sustainably. Industries spend substantial money to dispose of their waste in agreement with legal and environmental regulations. Researchers termed it a negative cost, which means that industries intend to pay to take this biomass off from their facility.
This could bring a possible opportunity to biomass processing plants to get paid or acquire fuel at no or negative cost. But most processing facilities are far from fuel (or biomass waste) sources, and cost of transportation are significant enough to compare the economics of fuel acquirement with fossil fuel costs. Moreover, processing technologies need cleaning and maintenance which further add up to the cost.
The overall economics of biomass-based electricity and any other end-use process cost higher than fossil fuels, making it very difficult to attract industries to invest in biomass over fossil fuels. Research suggests that biomass processing facilities that are available within the periphery of 200km from the fuel source will cost biomass (or fuel) at zero to negative value, improving the overall economics to a significantly comparable level to fossil fuels.
The Way Forward
To address this issue, small-scale plants must be installed in nearby areas and critical focus is vital on economically small scale biomass processing plants. Considerable research work is going on with small scale gasification plants capable of producing electricity at a small scale, but that is still under pilot project and no large-scale implementation has been found so far. Pyrolysis plants are also under the research zone, producing biochar, but this method is still under research development.
To reach targets of global temperature and carbon emissions into the atmosphere set by the UN at Climate Summit 2015, this area of research is a potentially critical area that can play a significant role in overtaking biomass over fossil fuels.
Globally, three billion people in the developing nations are solely dependent on burning firewood, crop residues, animal manure etc for preparing their daily meals on open fires, mud or clay stoves or simply on three rocks strategically placed to balance a cooking vessel. The temperature of these fires are lower and produce inefficient burning that results in black carbon and other short-lived but high impact pollutants.
These short-lived pollutants not only affect the persons in the immediate area but also contribute much harmful gases more potent than carbon dioxide and methane. For the people in the immediate area, their health is severely hampered as this indoor or domestic air pollution results in significantly higher risks of pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
To remedy the indoor air pollution (IAP) and health-related issues as well as the environmental pollution in the developing world, clean cookstoves are the way to advance. But to empower rural users to embrace the advanced cookstoves, and achieve sustainable success requires a level of socio-cultural and economic awareness that is related directly to this marginalized group. The solution needs to be appropriate for the style of cooking of the group which means one stove model will not suit or meet the needs and requirements of all developing nation people groups.
Clean cookstoves can significantly reduce health problems caused by indoor air pollution in rural areas
Consideration for such issues as stove top and front loading stove cooking, single pot and double pot cooking, size of the typical cooking vessel and the style of cooking are all pieces of information needed to complete the picture.
Historically, natural draft systems were devised to aid the combustion or burning of the fuels, however, forced draft stoves tend to burn cleaner with better health and environmental benefits. Regardless of cookstove design, the components need to be either made locally or at least available locally so that the long term life of the stove is maintainable and so sustainable.
Now, if the cookstove unit can by powered by simple solar or biomass system, this will change the whole nature of the life style and domestic duties of the chief cook and the young siblings who are typically charged with collecting the natural firewood to meet the cooking requirement.
Therefore the cookstoves need to be designed and adapted for the people group and their traditional cooking habits, and not in the reverse order. To assess the overall performance of the green cooking stoves requires simple but effective measures of the air quality.
The two elements that need to be measured are the black carbon emissions and the temperature of the cooking device. This can be achieved by miniature aerosol samplers and temperature sensors. The data collected needs to be transmitted in real-time via mobile phones for verification of performance rates. This is to provide verifiable data in a cost effective monitoring process.
Solar panels are technological appliances that generate electricity by converting light energy into direct currents which are applicable for commercial and residential purposes. The advent of solar panels is a major progress in technology, providing the world with a more economically sustainable and reliable power supply for all possible applications. It also savages the situation of spending extra money on energy bills which can be high, depending on the amount of energy consumed.
In recent times, the installation of solar panels to homes has been a prominent activity of homeowners, especially in the United States. A solar-powered home will not only boost the value of your home, but also give room for savings, and provide a safe and healthy environment. But yet, so many people shun the prospect of installation because it seems like a formidable task.
Today, the addition of solar panels to your home is not a big deal as it was, as the choice of system size, component selection, and mounting and appropriate safety disconnection can be achieved with proper information and knowledge.
Although there has been a common misconception that solar panel installation is expensive, it is indeed an incredible way of saving money. It helps in minimizing the rate at which you depend on electricity from the power grid, resulting in you saving money in the long run. Even though the initial expenses during the first action solar installation might seem much, it becomes a cost-saving electricity generating facility over time.
Over time, the cost of procuring solar panels is consistently dropping since many people are installing it because is one of the cheapest forms of electricity worldwide. Nevertheless, your financing options is an important thing to consider before anything else – the more financially buoyant you are, the more the utility that will be derived from it. Estimate how much cost that the procurement and the installation of the entire solar set up will incur. The strength of the panels affects the price – the more powerful it is, the more expensive each panel will be.
2. Roof Condition and Position
Solar panels are very durable and they can have a lifespan of 25 years or more. Considering the longevity of most roofing materials that are affected by some environmental conditions like snow, hail, rain, hurricane, and sunshine, most home roofs don’t last more than 20 years especially most asphalt shingle or composition roofs. So, the condition of the roof of your home must be in the best condition before setting up solar panels.
In addition to the age and condition of your home roof, the positioning in terms of the layout and the direction that it’s facing should be considered. It should be in such a way that sunlight shines on it daily so as to be able to reap all the amazing benefits that exist with going solar if your home qualifies.
If for the most part of the year, your roof is exposed to a considerably significant quantity of sunlight, installing solar panels would be an excellent idea. The more sunlight that is shining on your solar panel is, the more the energy produced. The presence of huge trees around your roof will cast shades enormously, therefore depriving the panels of direct exposure and also of maximizing the energy coming from the sun. When panels are being installed, they should be fixed in such a way that will prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris that could hinder the hitting of the panel by enough sunlight exposure.
Both factors ensure the longevity of an economically stable power supply from the solar panels in your homes.
3. Activities undertaken in homes
The nature of activities done in the home greatly affects the energy consumption rate. The monthly energy consumption rate of your household may differ in a year due to the fact that you will need to run activities and appliances because of the peculiarity of the season. For example, your electricity bill might be higher in summer months than other months in a year because you will probably run the air conditioner more in this season.
If the energy consumption rate is less, then an undersized solar setup will be sufficient and conversely. An estimate of the number of solar panels that will enough to meet your electricity consumption daily, monthly or yearly should be done appropriately. Fortunately, not all of your appliances will be running at the same time and with usage of smart electrical panels you can optimize the power usage and even automate some of the tasks
So, the knowledge of your home energy consumption rate and your home dimensions allows momentum solar experts to help you design solar systems that best suits your energy use and budget.
4. Types of Solar Panels
There are different solar panel types based on functions. In the market, the two most sought after solar setups available are:
Photovoltaic – which converts sunlight into light energy by using arrays of cells
Thermal – which heats up water or air with energy from the sunlight.
So, your choice can be made between the two solar technologies depending on your intended purpose.
According to make-up, solar panels are distinctly grouped into two major categories:
Each option should be examined carefully, not forgetting to measure how efficient the solar panel is going to be and the right fit for you. Do you have questions? Companies like https://customenergy.solar/ are here to help! SunPower by Custom Energy is a leader in residential solar power. Offering efficient, customizable energy solutions to the entire state of Utah.
5. Warranty Details
Solar panels that are installed in homes have chances of performing efficiently and hassle-free for years. Solar panels can last for as long as twenty-five years under normal conditions. Nevertheless, in rare situations, issues can occur. That’s more of a reason why you should make your buy from a dependable buyer in order to ensure a money-back guarantee and be assured of a lengthy time of performance without breaking down.
Purchasing the right solar panels for your home enables you to enjoy the numerous benefits that come with it. So, do go for a solar panel that suits your home best rather than going for the current fads of the market.
The Philippines has abundant supplies of biomass energy resources in the form of agricultural crop residues, forest residues, animal wastes, agro-industrial wastes, municipal solid wastes and aquatic biomass. The most common agricultural wastes are rice hull, bagasse, cane trash, coconut shell/husk and coconut coir. The use of crop residues as biofuels is increasing in the Philippines as fossil fuel prices continue to rise. Rice hull is perhaps the most important, underdeveloped biomass resource that could be fully utilized in a sustainable manner.
At present, biomass technologies utilized in the country vary from the use of bagasse as boiler fuel for cogeneration, rice/coconut husks dryers for crop drying, biomass gasifiers for mechanical and electrical applications, fuelwood and agricultural wastes for oven, kiln, furnace and cook-stoves for cooking and heating purposes. Biomass technologies represent the largest installations in the Philippines in comparison with the other renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas abatement technologies.
Biomass energy plays a vital role in the nation’s energy supply. Nearly 30 percent of the energy for the 80 million people living in the Philippines comes from biomass, mainly used for household cooking by the rural poor. Biomass energy application accounts for around 15 percent of the primary energy use in the Philippines. The resources available in the Philippines can generate biomass projects with a potential capacity of more than 200 MW.
Almost 73 percent of this biomass use is traced to the cooking needs of the residential sector while industrial and commercial applications accounts for the rest. 92 percent of the biomass industrial use is traced to boiler fuel applications for power and steam generation followed by commercial applications like drying, ceramic processing and metal production. Commercial baking and cooking applications account for 1.3 percent of its use.
The EC-ASEAN COGEN Programme estimated that the volume of residues from rice, coconut, palm oil, sugar and wood industries is 16 million tons per year. Bagasse, coconut husks and shell can account for at least 12 percent of total national energy supply. The World Bank-Energy Sector Management Assistance Program estimated that residues from sugar, rice and coconut could produce 90 MW, 40 MW, and 20 MW, respectively.
The development of crop trash recovery systems, improvement of agro-forestry systems, introduction of latest energy conversion technologies and development of biomass supply chain can play a major role in biomass energy development in the Philippines. The Philippines is among the most vulnerable nations to climatic instability and experiences some of the largest crop losses due to unexpected climatic events. The country has strong self-interest in the advancement of clean energy technologies, and has the potential to become a role model for other developing nations on account of its broad portfolio of biomass energy resources and its potential to assist in rural development.
India has a tremendous biomass potential which could easily be relied upon to fulfil most of our energy needs. An estimated 50 MMT (million metric tonnes) of liquid fuels are consumed annually in India, but with the actual biomass potential and its full utilization, India is capable of generating almost double that amount per annum. These biomass estimates only constitute the crop residues available in the country and essentially the second-generation fuels since the use of first-generation crop bases fuels in such food-starved nations is a criminal thought.
Existing Technologies
Currently, there are various technologies available to process such crop residues and generate value products from them. However, essentially, they all revolve around two main kinds of processes, either biochemical or thermal.
The biochemical process involves application of aerobic/anaerobic digestion for the production of biogas; or fermentation, which results in the generation of ethanol. Both these products could be subsequently treated chemically and through trans-esterification process, leading to production of biodiesel.
Alternatively, the thermochemical processes involve either the combustion, gasification or pyrolysis techniques, which produces heat, energy-rich gas and liquid fuels respectively. These products can be used as such, or could be further processed to generate high quality biofuels or chemicals.
The Need
The estimated organized energy breakup for India is 40 percent each for domestic and transport sectors and 20 percent for the industrial sectors. The current share of crude oil and gases is nearly 90 percent for the primary and transport sectors and the remaining 10 percent for the generation of industrial chemicals.
The fluctuating prices of crude oil in the international market and the resulting concern over energy security, has lead developing nations to explore alternative and cheap sources of energy to meet the growing energy demand. One of the promising solution for agrarian economies is Biorefinery.
The Concept
Biorefinery is analogous to the traditional petroleum refineries employing fractional distillation process for obtaining different fractions or components from the same raw material, i.e. the crude oil. Biorefinery involve the integration of different biomass treatment and processing methods into one system, which results in the production of different components from the same biomass. This makes the entire chain more viable economically and also reduces the waste generated.
Typical Model of a Biorefinery
The outcome ranges from high-volume, low-energy content liquid fuels, which could serve the transportation industry needs, to the low-volume but high-value chemicals, which could add to the feasibility of such a project.
Steam and heat generated in the process could be utilized for meeting process heat requirements. By-products like chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, polymers etc are also obtained which provide additional revenue streams.
Benefits
Biorefineries can help in utilizing the optimum energy potential of organic wastes and may also resolve the problems of waste management and GHGs emissions. Wastes can be converted, through appropriate enzymatic/chemical treatment, into either gaseous or liquid fuels.
The pre-treatment processes involved in biorefining generate products like paper-pulp, HFCS, solvents, acetate, resins, laminates, adhesives, flavour chemicals, activated carbon, fuel enhancers, undigested sugars etc. which generally remain untapped in the traditional processes. The suitability of this process is further enhanced from the fact that it can utilize a variety of biomass resources, whether plant-derived or animal-derived.
Applicability
The concept of biorefinery is still in early stages at most places in the world. Problems like raw material availability, feasibility in product supply chain, scalability of the model are hampering its development at commercial-scales. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of USA is leading the front in biorefinery research with path-breaking discoveries and inventions.
Although the technology is still in nascent stages, but it holds the key to the optimum utilization of wastes and natural resources that humans have always tried to achieve. The onus now lies on governments and corporate to incentivize or finance the research and development in this field.
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