Solar Transportation:Maximum Energy Saving & Minimum Cost
Solar powered transportation has been used for a long time. Even though solar energy is a clean, renewable source of energy, it’s been ignored by the automotive industry.
Don’t get us wrong! There are still some cool cars that runs on solar energy.
However, the “greenest ” vehicle that can be built is the sailboat. This is because solar powered transportation has no use in space, where there is no air to transfer the solar energy into energy transfer.
As for transportation on land, using solar energy is very expensive. Special solar panels are used and there have to be extra components for the storage of the excess energy produced by the solar panels.
Here are the most common uses of solar power for transportation.
Solar Powered Cars
You may remember the Solar Impulse. This was a solar powered airplane that completed the first solar powered flight across the United States in 2013. During the flight, the plane went from New York to California without any fossil fuel energy used.
A few years later, in 2016, the Solar Impulse completed a round trip from Morocco to Spain with no fuel at all.
Solar-Powered Technical Gadgets
USBs, calculators, flashlights, and clocks are among the most basic of solar-powered devices. These are very useful for camping or emergency use. Anytime you have a small electronic device that needs a battery replacement, you can save yourself a lot of money and the trouble of having to find an outlet.
Solar-powered chargers with foldable panels are a great option for hiking or backpacking. They weigh less than most other external battery packs, but they can charge cell phones or power packs just as well.
Solar-powered flashlights are inexpensive and easy to use, though you do need to recharge them after each use and it can take a while before they are fully charged. Nevertheless, they are a great addition for power outages, camping, hiking, and backpacking, as they are really useful in pretty much any situation.
Solar-powered fans can cool you down in the summer heat without using any batteries or electricity. They can be walked around with or hung from a window, depending on the model you are using.
Batteries are readily available for solar-powered toys. They allow you to enjoy time spent with your favorite dolls, cars, or action figurines without any need for solar panels.
Solar- Powered home appliances.
A solar-powered refrigerator or solar-powered freezer uses solar panels for recharging. The rechargeable batteries are used to power the appliance when the sun isn't available.
This type of refrigeration is ideal for a home that is off the grid or for people who want to lessen their dependence on the grid.
Industrial Solar Panels:
Industrial solar panels provide power for a variety of machines that would normally require a connection to the grid. These solar panels are used in remote locations that do not have electricity or areas that have a shortage of electricity. Solar panels are used in Venezuela to run factories.
Solar-powered traffic signs:
Solar- powered traffic signs are designed to keep the traffic lights and road signs running.
Solar-powered street lights:
Solar-powered street lights are used in rural areas in some countries. In many ways, these are similar to solar-powered traffic signs, but they are more permanent in nature.
Solar energy to power a home:
The use of solar panels for powering individual homes is increasing as people want to use renewable energy without relying on others. Homes built with solar panels on their roofs can use the energy to power appliances such as an air conditioner or dryer.
Solar-powered photovoltaic panels:
Solar Heating For Swimming Pool
If your swimming pool is in a sunny location, solar pool heating is a wonderful way to keep the water warm for swimming. A solar collector mounted on the roof absorbs energy from the sun, and the water pipe connected to the collector will carry the heated water through the cover and into the swimming pool.
There are many things to consider when designing a solar pool heating system, most importantly deciding whether to build it yourself from scratch, or to purchase an off-the-shelf pool heating unit.
Other factors to consider are your climate knowledge, financial ability, installation, the efficiency of the system, the projected and actual costs (the output should match the input), and safety.
If you choose the DIY option, most essential parts that are required to build your pool heating system are solar panels to absorb the sunlight, one or more pumps to move the heat to the pool, a sealed liquid transfer medium, and a controller to manage the temperature. Also, if you choose to build your own solar pool heating system, you will surely want to build a solar collector that will consist of a solar panel, an enclosure to hold the water pipes, and a pipe that will connect the panel to the pool.
If the cost and level of involvement are not a problem, then choosing the off-the-shelf pool heating system is good option to go with.
Solar-Powered Satellite(SPS)
Your typical solar-powered satellite is a spacecraft that is powered by photovoltaic solar panels. While SPS may not seem exciting, it is often used for long-term uses. Most of the time, these are stationary satellites that are only taken out to position them.
For instance, a satellite that is used for a weather, like the NOAA satellites, may not need to be moved at all. It will simply be positioned in orbit and left in one place. Thank you to the charging stations, these satellites can even be positioned in a location where the exposure will be stationary for long periods of time. This protects against solar flares and other forms of space weather.
Solar-Powered Calculator
A solar-powered calculator is a great tool for SAT exams and other standardized tests that require students to bring their own calculator.
Solar Exterior Lights
Solar lights can be a great way to create a conservatory feel to your garden, enhancing the solar power infrastructure and extending your operating hours. For example, solar pathway lights are a cost-effective way to bring your garden to life after dark. Many people, looking for affordable lighting solutions, either to complement their home or add a funky feel, install pathway lights at the front of their houses. Pathway lights….example, solar pathway lights are a great and cost-effective option for enhancing your home….example, you can install them around your swimming pool where you want illumination without having to raise the height of the pool….in fact, you can decide exactly where you want the lights and get supreme value.
Solar-Powered Pumps
These are found in homes that have large ponds or aquariums and consume a large amount of water constantly. This is to ensure that they do not dry up. Pumps can work regardless of the weather, and they don’t consume electricity from the grid.
These have become very popular in places where there is a high demand for the use of water for recreational purposes. These pumps can also be used in low-income households.
They can also work in households where there is a constant supply of water in good condition. The motor used in the solar panels is very durable. It does not rot even in areas that are not frozen. This is because they are connected to the sun, which gives them heat and warmth. This makes the motor last longer, and this reduces your costs.
They have a built-in controller and a battery. The batteries are charged whenever there is sunlight. They are in charge of storing energy that is obtained during the day. This energy is used for pumping water during the night. They are also connected to a set of sensors that detect the amount of water inside the tank, and they adjust themselves accordingly.
Most common: Roof-top Solar Panels
A large amount of photovoltaic cells added to a commercial or residential rooftop to generate electricity for various uses. On its own, solar power accounted for 37% of all newly installed generating capacity in 2014.
Solar power generation bases the process of creating energy through photovoltaic (PV) cells. This type of power is considered to be renewable because the sun is expected to shine for another four billion years.
As far as energy generation is concerned, solar power is probably the cheapest in the world. While this kind of energy is free, it does require a huge initial investment on your part.
Here are the simple steps of how solar stands up to your everyday use:
Installation
Solar panels installed on your rooftop convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is stored in a battery, which you will either use on-site or send to the electric grid as backup power.
Your utility company will credit you every month for the electricity you produce that would have been imported by your grid. The company that installs the solar panels takes the financial burden of paying for the installation, major maintenance, and repair. Your utility company will then sign a long-term contract to buy back the power generated from your panels.