What are Renewable Energy Systems? What do they do?

What are the benefits of Renewable Energy?

Why isn't everyone using Renewable Energy Technologies?

Can I use solar for my home or business?

I'm interested in having a solar energy system installed on my home or business. Where do I start?

How does such a Solar Water Heating System work?

How can I make best use of my Solar Water Heating System in the cold winter days?

Can I use solar electricity to heat water or to operate my Air Conditioner?

How much can I expect to pay for a solar water heating system? How much will it save me on my electricity bill?

What are Renewable Energy Systems? What do they do?
Different types of Renewable Energy Systems perform different types of functions, for example,
 

• Photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight into electricity using PV cells made of
  Semiconductor material.

• Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Systems concentrate the sun’s energy into reflective devices such as trough or mirror panels to produce heat that is used for industrial processes or to generate electricity.

• Solar Water Heating Systems heat water, either directly or by heating a “working fluid” that then heats the water. Solar water heaters are commonly used to heat water in homes and industries like dairies for can- washing, heating air, etc. as it is a cost-effective device to heat water for industrial purposes.

• Transpired Solar Collectors use solar energy to pre-heat ventilation air.

• Passive Solar Energy Devices use the building itself as both solar collector and storage medium, usually by increasing the window area on the south side of the building and the amount of thermal mass inside the building to absorb the solar heat that enters through the windows.

• Day Lighting Systems provide light during the day, significantly reducing the cost of heat gain from electric lighting.

• Wind Turbines use the wind’s energy to generate electricity.

• Bio-energy from biomass can be used directly as heat to power a generator to produce electricity. It can also be chemically converted into a fuel oil or liquid fuels.

• Geothermal Energy can be used to generate electricity, heat water and heat and cool buildings.

• Hydropower captures the energy in flowing water and uses it to generate electricity.

• Ocean Energy can be used as either thermal energy or tapped as the mechanical energy in tides and waves

What are the benefits of Renewable Energy?
Renewable Energy Sources are clean and inexhaustible. The money spent on renewable energy installations tends to remain in the community, creating jobs and fuelling local economies. The use of renewable energy equipment also reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, and is an important strategy in the process of creating a truly secure and sustainable energy future.
 

Why isn’t everyone using Renewable Energy Technologies?
Most renewable energy technologies are still relatively expensive compared with conventional energy sources. As consumers become more informed and environmentally aware about the consequences of their energy purchasing decisions, however, the demand for clean energy technologies will increase. When the environmental, national security, health and life cycle costs of conventional energy are taken into consideration, renewable energy technologies make sense today. Early adopters of clean energy technologies have the added challenge of dealing with a regulatory infrastructure geared to large, centralized power plants and a fossil fuel delivery system. Gradually, the barriers are coming down, as uniform interconnection standards, metering laws and other regulatory reform are put in place. And we in India have the largest renewable energy programme implemented by the central and state governments.

Can I use solar for my home or business?
Most places have enough solar energy to meet about 80 per cent of the needs with solar energy systems. You can get more specific information by contacting a local solar system designer, installer/dealer, solar architect or a builder to discuss your requirement.
 

I’m interested in having a solar energy system installed on my home or business. Where do I start?
By increasing the energy efficiency of your building. Lights and appliances are the most cost-effective first step in the process. Look for an experienced local solar energy system dealer or manufacturer, and check their references, as you would do for any other contractor. If you’re lucky, you can find solar companies listed in your local phone book.

Also check with the state nodal agency (like GEDA) to find qualified professionals in your area. Some states also have financial incentives tin the form of a subsidy package or loan facilities through financial institutions,that offset the cost of installing renewable energy equipment.

How does such a Solar Water Heating System work?
Your Solar Water heating System is designed to operate on thremosyphon or natural convection principle. The driving force for circulation in such a system is derived purely from the density difference between hot and cold water. No mechanical or electrical device is used to pump water through the solar collector. As the water gets heated it becomes lighter, and so tends to “ automatically” rise, and in turn is displaced by the comparatively heavier cold water from the storage tank. The system is designed to facilitate optimal stratification inside the storage tank ensuring the efficiency of the system. The bottom of the hot water tank should be atleast 30 cm higher then the collector. The cold water storage tank must be about 2.5 to 3 m above the base of the collector. Generally thermosyphon systems are offered upto capacities of 3000 liters per day.
 

How can I make best use of my Solar Water Heating System in the cold winter days?
Check the following: