| The most precise Solar Energy definition is | | | | |
| simply: | | | | A system not connected to the grid. More |
| | | | often than not, these systems are installed |
| Energy from the sun. | | | | in remote areas where there is no |
| | | | utility-supplied power, like remote holiday |
| But what is solar energy really? There are | | | | cottages. |
| two types of solar energy: | | | | |
| | | | It is often cheaper to install a solar energy |
| Thermal Energy & Electric Energy | | | | system than lay electricity cables to the |
| | | | site. Excess energy can be stored in a |
| Thermal Energy | | | | battery for use during times where there is |
| | | | no sunshine. |
| Thermal Energy is everywhere. It's lights up | | | | |
| our days. It heats the earth, our bodies and | | | | Grid-connected: |
| our homes. It dries our clothes and gives us | | | | |
| produce like sun-dried tomatoes. All for | | | | A system where utility supplied electricity |
| free! It's also used to heat water for | | | | is connected to the property, but the owners |
| domestic use or even pools. There are two | | | | wish to harvest clean, free energy from the |
| ways in which water can be heated: | | | | sun. Usually in a quest to live a more |
| | | | sustainable, environmentally friendly |
| 1. Actively, when a conventional heating | | | | existence. |
| element within the solar hot water system | | | | |
| heats water on hot days. | | | | Electricity is supplied firstly from the |
| | | | solar energy system, then the connected |
| 2. Passively, when water is preheated before | | | | battery if one has been installed and finally |
| it is delivered to the cold inlet of a | | | | from the grid if there is still a need. |
| conventional gas/ electric water heater. | | | | |
| | | | Back-up: |
| Electric Energy | | | | |
| | | | A system connected to an unreliable grid or |
| Electric Energy uses the power of the sun to | | | | one of poor quality. These types are usually |
| produce electricity through solar cells, | | | | installed in areas where a lot of power |
| otherwise known as photovoltaics (PV). It can | | | | blackouts occur. A small system will service |
| be applied in three ways: | | | | the most important electrical appliances and |
| | | | lights, but a bigger system will be required |
| 1. Stand-alone | | | | to keep the fridge running during a blackout. |
| | | | |
| 2. Grid-connected | | | | So, what is solar energy used for then? |
| | | | |
| 3. Back-up | | | | 1. To provide heating |
| | | | |
| Stand-alone: also called Solar Home System | | | | 2. |
| (SHS): | | | | |