Using the warmth of the sun and transforming it into fuel that will be used for our household needs can be done several ways. The two most popular ways are the Photovoltaic system also known as the PV system and the Concentrating Solar Power, also known as the CSP system. The PV system makes electricity using the light from the sun and the CSP system takes the heat from the sun to make fuel for a power plant.
The best-known solar power system is the photovoltaic system, made up of semiconducting material which, when exposed to sunlight, releases electrical power. Energy produced by PV solar power systems is renewable, environmentally-friendly and highly cost effective for long-term use. Once a system is installed, the power of the sun is all that is needed.
The power generated by the PV solar power system is routed to the house through a converter which changes the direct current electricity to the standard alternating current before being made available for use. This is pretty much the same as the utility company supplying the current through the circuit breaker panel in your home. Once the current passes through the inverter, it can either be stored in a backup system of batteries for nighttime use or sent directly to power your electrical appliances and lighting fixtures.
Homes or cabins in remote locations can be powered solely by a PV system when properly planned and installed. This is often much more cost effective than paying for the power company to connect you to the existing power grid, depending upon how far you are from the nearest utility pole. In some applications this can be miles, and cost the same or much more than a solar power system with no return on your investment.
The CSP or Concentrating Solar Power system is a solar power system that uses solar-thermal technology to generate electricity. An array of mirrors or panels collects the heat from sunlight and transfers the heat to a generator directly or through the circulation of heated fluid to the generator. The CSP system can supply the heat necessary to produce power in a traditional power plant, replacing the use of fossil fuels like coal.
Solar power systems can offer better economic savings to business and individual customers alike. Utilizing solar power as a supplemental source of energy can reduce the monthly electric bills or in the case where solar power is the sole source, eliminate the electric bills altogether.
You may balk at what seems like a costly installation, but it’s one of the few major home improvement projects that can start paying for itself almost immediately. When you stop to think about it, building an extra bathroom might very well increase the value of your home, but you won’t be able to recoup your costs unless you sell the house at a profit.
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