Joshua Galyon
Using solar energy to power day to day things is nothing new, however, the variety of products that help people do this are increasing by the second. New, innovative lines are being introduced so that you have many more choices when it comes to taking power into your own hands and helping the environment at the same time.
This piece is going to take a look at what you can use solar energy for, and how this can benefit you in your day-to-day life.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the energy supplied from the sun. This energy is harnessed directly or indirectly, usually through a contact panel, so that you can use this energy as you use many other types of energy, powering your day-to-day objects and activities.
Solar Electricity
The most common means of using solar power is to produce solar electricity.
You can use solar electricity to charge up your phone, power lights, give power to batteries which can be used in a variety of different appliances, and can even be your sole electricity supply when set up for it.
The most common way of reaping the rewards of solar electricity is to invest in some large solar panels. These can provide you with a decent amount of solar energy which you can direct to where you need it to be. If you are interested in learning more about solar panels, and if they might be right for you, take a look at an Arizona solar company to find out more.
Solar Heating
You can use solar energy for both water heating and regular heating, though the setups are different.
While traditional water heating systems heat up water in the tank inside the home, and maintain its temperature, solar water systems operate slightly differently.
Solar water heating systems heat up water by using energy collected from the roof, and then transfers that warm water to the tank inside of the home.
You can also use solar power to heat your home, though it will depend how your home is set up. If you have a property that is already designed to capture the heat from sunlight, then that passive solar energy can help keep your home warm. However, if you have a more traditional building, you will need the help from photovoltaics and heat pumps to actively get your harnessed solar energy around the home.
Solar Lighting
Solar lighting is perhaps one of the more common uses of solar energy, and something you can see fairly regularly. An example of this would be the solar powered lights you can find in people’s gardens, which light up when it goes dark after being powered by the sun all day. Solar power lights can be used for a variety of different reasons both indoor and outdoor, and come in plenty of different sizes, which makes them a great option for those who want to get into the world of solar power.
