Solar solutions
There are two main types of solar solutions for our homes: photovoltaic (PV) solar solutions (for electricity generation) and thermal solar solutions: to heat hot water for our kitchens and bathrooms, or to heat our rooms, or for cooling purposes (solar air conditioning).
Solar PV solutions
PV (photovoltaic) solar solutions (for power generation) include...
1) mobile solar applications (involving boats and other recreational vehicles),
2) solar applications in home electronics, telecommunications equipment, water pumping, traffic, railroad signaling...
3) and mainly the generation of electricity for our homes – something that involves grid-tied systems or stand-alone PV solar solutions.
See on these issues: Photovoltaic solutions and Photovoltaic technology
Thermal home solar solutions
Thermal solar solutions include the heating of water, air heating systems and also solar air cooling systems and pool heating….
Solar hot water heating is the most widespread solar solution, with designs that differ according to climate: batch, thermosyphon, drainback, glycol and other antifreezing and active solar systems. See: Solar designs, Solar Upgrades and Solar Backup.
Solar air heating systems involves pumping hot air – previously heated by solar panels - into rooms, and also hydronic solar solutions for space heating.
Efficiency of today's solar solutions
Solar hot water heating or solar pool heating are cost-competitive with fossil-fueled alternatives, but other solutions like solar cooling or space heating are much less competitive.
See: Solar efficiency
Solar resources and solar performance
Solar performance depends largely on solar resources (largely associated to the latitude and the number of hours of sunlight) and on weather patterns (haze, cloudy periods….), and also on the orientation of the panels to the sun and their tilt, or elements like dust…
The size of solar solutions is closely linked to climate considerations. The smaller the solar resources the bigger the area of solar panels…
See: Solar performance and solar resources
solar thermal Designs and climate
Climate is extremely important when defining the design of a solar water heating system and the type of solar panels (see Solar Designs and Solar Panels Uses). Colder climates require more sophisticated and expensive systems, and more energy-efficient solar panels.
Types of solar panels
Solar panels for thermal solutions are very different from those of solar photovoltaic systems (for solar electricity).
Solar photovoltaic panels are made of cells made of materials called semiconductors, and can use three different types of technologies: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film.
Solar thermal panels, on the other hand, are made of "tubes" (tube panels) or large glazed panels (flat panels).
See on these issues: Different types of solar panels and Tube solar panels and Flat solar panels.
Prices and payback
Solar photovoltaic prices are lowering, and according to recent forecasts (from companies like GE) they will be lower than those of fossil and nuclear electricity within the next few years.
Anyway, though solar water heating solutions have short payback periods, the same is not true for most other solar investments. Most PV solar solutions aren't cost-competitive without state incentives.
See: Solar Hot Water Prices, Solar PV Panels Prices
Warranties and Lifespan
Solar solutions have a long lifespan (at least 20-25 years), large warranties (20 years and more, in the case of many solar panels), are eco-friendly and provide energy savings. But they require an high initial investment and backup systems (even solar hot water systems) or grid connection (solar electricity). As to solar electricity, though very promising, only state incentives make it economically attractive ...
See on these issues: Solar Advantages and Disadvantages
Solar and wind solutions
See, for comparisons and for information on hybrid solar-wind solutions: Solar-Wind Hybrid Systems and Solar vs. Wind Electricity
Companies and installers
For a guide on how to deal with installers and solar professionals, see: Solar Guide.
The best of Solar
See The best of Solar for a large compilation of resources and solar solutions…