Solar home energy basics
Solar water heating, Solar PV electricity and Solar space heating are the three major solar technologies.
Solar technologies
Current solar technologies involve 3 major areas (and a rather marginal one connected to space cooling):
1) Solar water heating
2) PV (photovoltaic) electric solar (electricity production for residential and commercial uses, and also for Recreational Vehicles (RV), Outdoor lighting, etc.).
3) Solar space heating
4) Solar home space cooling.
Types of Solar heating Systems (Hot water)
Solar hot water heating is the most popular and common use of solar energy. It involves different systems, that vary with climate and incorporate different designs: the drain-back, the thermo siphon, the batch ICS system, etc.
See, for details:
Types of solar water heating systems
Solar heaters and boilers
Solar Kits
Some manufacturers are offering pre-packaged solar kits, with different goals and incorporating different technologies. They may save you some money, time and hassle. The most common are:
- Solar hot water kits (including those for radiant heating)
- PV solar electricity kits
- Solar outdoor lighting kits
- Solar powered kits for Vans, RV (Recreational Vehicles) and Boats
Solar retrofits
Solar retrofits can be added to existing hot water systems or included in plans for new houses.
But you should pay attention to the climate issue. A simple solar retrofit kit is often inadequate in colder climates.
See: Solar retrofits for hot water heating
Solar space (Air) heating and cooling
See:
Space heating solutions
Air space heatings
Solar powered radiant floors
Solar power and radiators
Types of solar panels
See:
Types of solar collectors (thermal uses)
Solar electric modules (electricity generation)
Costs, Payback & Solar energy systems
See:
Solar systems Payback
Buying solar
What to ask to solar installers and suppliers
Prices and Market
Solar panels prices may vary a little at the manufacturer level. But mainly they vary with their type: flat panels and evacuated-tubes panels have very different prices.
See:
Solar Hot Water Systems and Solar Space Heating Prices
Solar PV Electricity Prices
Solar Electricity and Net Metering
See: Solar and Wind Electricity Systems and Net Metering
Solar Energy & Manufacturers
See a wide list of manufacturers at Manufacturers & Solar Energy
Sizing, Location & Orientation
See:
Sizing Solar Systems
PV Modules Number
Solar Systems Orientation and Location
Warranties
Electric PV Solar panels have a lifetime of at least 20 years to 25 years.
Typical Solar Hot Water and Solar Space Systems warranties range between 3 and 10 years, but collectors often benefit from wider warranties (20 years).
Wind vs. Solar and Hybrid Systems
See:
Solar-Wind Hybrid Systems
Solar vs. Wind electricity production