Solar Energy and Renewable Electricity

Renewable energy, also known as sustainable energy, originates from limitless sources like the wind, sun, biomass, geothermal and hydro.

Unlike fossil fuels, clean sustainable energy is non-polluting in the production process, in which greenhouse gasses emissions and toxic waste do not form.

Not only that renewable energy is environment-friendly, but it is also cost-effective.

One of these sustainable alternatives is solar energy.

Solar energy is sourced from the light and the heat of the sun.

With a range of new technologies, renewable energy is produced and converted to electric power.

Solar electricity can supply the entire energy consumption for residential or commercial settings.

Installed solar panels on the roof require low-maintenance while lowering electric bills drastically.

Renewable Solar Energy Technologies

Renewable solar electricity utilized with three common technologies: photovoltaic, solar (thermal) heating, and solar architecture.

Photovoltaic

Photovoltaic (PV) panels naturally capture electricity from the sunlight.

The electronic process forms with the help of semiconductors, the type of materials that release electrons to travel through an electric circuit, from where electricity directed to the grid.

Power from PV grids is sufficient energy supply for large houses and even commercial businesses.

In the last two decades, PV evolved from a niche market to a popular electricity source due to sustainable energy awareness.

Thermal Energy

Thermal technologies have been used for water heating, space heating and cooling, or production of electricity.

Thermal technologies capture the heat from the sun in a form of panels, but in a different way of photovoltaic technology, which directly converts the sun’s radiation to electricity.

Solar heating also captures the sun’s radiation.

With the help of a controller, the system pumps hot water through traditional or modern radiators, furnaces, or uses it in hydronic systems.

Two types of thermal systems capture the energy and convert it to solar power: passive solar and active solar.

Active setting operated with mechanisms like fans and pumps that circulate the heat-carrying fluids.

On the other hand, passive systems rely on a static design that captures the heat.

Active systems usually made from panels attached to a roof, designed to absorb the heat and transfer the energy to destinations such as the outdoor watering system or house heating system.

Passive systems involve planned, smart practices, designed to lower the electric usage while providing a source of energy to operate cooling and heating systems.

Solar thermal systems are cost-efficient, emission-free and completely renewable.

Solar Architecture Technique

More and more people incorporate solar systems into the architecture; an approach that takes the sun’s energy into consideration of the building’s design.

Solar architecture enhances both active and passive system types.

A thought-through solar home design reduces heating and cooling loads from solar energy.

It also reduces the cost of electric bills, especially during the peak season.

Passive solar home design evaluates elements such as south-facing windows, thermal mass, and distribution mechanisms.

● South-facing windows – should face 30 degrees of true south and stay shaded during heat season.

● Thermal mass – in a common house, the passive system observes heat from the sunlight during heat seasons and from the warm indoor air during cold seasons. Finishing building materials enhance thermal mass functioning. Spaces are designed in a way that allows natural light circulation.

● Distribution mechanisms – from the panels that collect the heat, set mechanisms like fans and blowers, distribute and collect the heat in different areas of the house.

Solar power architecture contributes to the world’s clean energy production. Initially, installation cost may add to design expenses, but in the long run, people save on electric cost reduction of fossil energy. Considering global warming, designing spaces with solar efficiency in mind, reduces construction and building impact on the environment.

Affordable Solar Power

Solar energy gains popularity around the world, not just to reduce environmental damage, but also to reduce the cost of energy bills.

More and more countries have begun switching to solar power as a primary energy source, especially where people are living off the grid.

Electricity from generators, kerosene and other fuel sources used in remote areas, add to the financial struggle.

At Lumos, our goal is to deliver clean and affordable solar energy to everyone.

Our home solar systems are affordable, payment is made in small monthly installment plans and they provide constant reliable power, benefiting from the profusion of sunlight… More and more people can operate businesses and use electric appliances at their homes while keeping electric payments low.

Learn all about the benefits of affordable home solar systems installation and how solar power works.