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