Top 5 Uses Of Solar Energy

There are many different uses of solar energy – probably more than you realize. If you’re thinking about how solar power could benefit you or your business, have a look through these top 5 uses of solar energy.

1) Solar Pool Heating

If you’ve got a pool that you want to heat, then solar energy is probably the best choice for doing so. In fact, this is one of the best uses of solar energy full stop. All it takes is a simple solar collector – your pool will act as the needed thermal storage system, and you’ll already have a pump that you can use to circulate the water. This is a very practical way to heat your pool and could cost as little as $100.

2) Small, Portable Photovoltaic Systems

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are responsible for converting energy from the sun into electricity, and can be made portable for small applications. You have probably already seen this being used on devices like your calculator! This principle has also been applied to garden appliances, lights, and even solar powered generators that can be used to power home appliances during an emergency. They have the ability to power small items such as radios, toasters and so on.

3) Home Electricity

The PV panels mentioned above can be expanded and put onto the roofs of homes to provide power for all home applications. Depending on how many solar panels you install, you could end up covering your full energy usage and even have some left over to sell back to the grid! In the US, the government is bringing in more and more incentives to encourage this use of solar energy, and a number of businesses are also taking up the technology.

4) Solar Powered Air Conditioning

Solar power is now being used to help lower electricity bills during hot summer months. This is one of the most practical uses of solar energy thanks to the fact that this is the time of year when the sun will be at its strongest anyway. Another method is to use solar powered attic fans that use power from the sun to run a fan during the day. This fan helps to keep the attic cooler and reduces the temperature of the home as a result.

5) Solar Powered Water Heating Systems

This is another top residential use for solar energy. Heating water accounts for around 20% of the average household energy bill, so using thermal energy from the sun is a great way of cutting down on bills. This can be used even in areas with less sunlight, if supplemented with traditional heating for times when the sun isn’t strong enough.

There are uses of solar energy for just about any application where energy would be needed. It all depends on your specific needs and the position of your roof to find the applications that would work best for you.