Solar energy can be a bit much at times but for there is good news for people using solar panels on their roofs according to a university study.
Not only do panels provide free energy to keep that aircon running, but they also provide shade and convert sun rays into electricity instead of heat. The thermodynamics law dictates that you will see less energy going into your roof when using photovoltaic panels.
The other gain is just the provided shade itself which when leaving sufficient ventilation under the panels means heat will actually reach you. In doubt?
Check http://ssi.ucsd.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=468:solar-panels-keep-ucsd-buildings-cool-july-18-2011&catid=8:newsflash&Itemid=20 for a detailed analysis.
The university claims a 5% gain extra from solar panels: enough to convince you? #EveryDayScience
Or you can line your roof with sun tanners.
It all seems to make so much sense +Max Huijgen perhaps only an idiot would try to say otherwise
+Joshua Berg in the end you loose more energy going up to the roof to look at them, providing drinks and pumping yourself up to keep in attractive shape for the sun tanners.
Of course, I forgot about the beverages. Well the solar panels thing is a great idea anyway.
ive a neighbor who's outside lights are solar powered
5% isn't huge, but of course every little bit helps. It does make me wonder, however, if it would be feasible to add a secondary solar water heater system underneath photovoltaics, to catch and transfer much of the extra heat, ultimately using it for hot water.
Especially for those of us in places like myself (Atlanta, in the hot, steamy southern US), any system that could reduce unwanted solar heating of the house would be a big win.
It just doesn't take much square footage to make more hot water than you know what to do with.
+Michael Kelleher Fair enough. I hadn't really thought through the thermodynamics of it. I guess 1kW/m2 (if I'm remembering that correctly) could heat up a lot of water.
Using just some of the panels for hot water could make sense though +Joel Webber (as in underneath their main function)
we have had a first rate fusion reactor, online and sending energy, for the last several billion years. It's 93 million miles from the nearest home. we just lack the intelligence and political will to harness it to the max to ease future fossil fuel scarcity and environmental concerns. Face it, we're idiots.
When you consider up much energy is used to heat water (for bathing/laundry) we should already have interconnected solar heat/water heater tanks.
I agree with the study. We have our upper bedrooms staying cooler. Check out our 7kw system. Its a month old. https://plus.google.com/100810839576849354542/posts/aorxSdHQPnF
If they could get this technology into a more reasonable price range perhaps more people would adopt it. The price is still too far out there for the average household even with subsidies.
I was able to get mine done at a great price. So that made the decision easy.
What do you call a great price?
Under a $1 a watt installed.
Every price which makes it a decent 10 year investment I would venture +Rob Sharpe
I had to work to piece mine together. Could of turned around and sold them for more then I paid but I thought it would be nice to generate. So far I very happy. The only thing is since June this year we have had only one day without clouds. Go figure…