6 Uses for Solar Energy

In sunny countries like Australia, rooftop solar panels are widely used to power households with clean, free energy. Solar power has huge benefits in reducing your power bill and is one of the best ways to cut down your home’s carbon footprint. But solar panels aren’t the only way to make use of solar power in your day to day life. Solar heating, solar ventilation and solar lighting are just some of the clever ways solar energy can improve energy efficiency and save you money year round.

Benefits of solar energy

When fossil fuels are used to generate electricity, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air which traps heat and contributes to climate change. Additionally, fossil fuels are non-renewable resources which means they will run out or not be replenished in our lifetimes.

On the other hand, solar energy is a clean, renewable source of energy. Solar technologies harness the power of the sun and convert it into a form of energy that we can use to power our appliances. Once you’ve purchased solar technology such as solar panels, it costs nothing to produce solar electricity. This can lead to significant savings on your power bill. 

Keen to embrace the benefits of solar energy in your home? Here are 6 ways you can do just that.

1. Rooftop solar electricity

Rooftop solar panels collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. The panels will only work during daylight hours, but you can invest in a solar battery which will store excess electricity for use after the sun goes down or on really cloudy days.

With the right size solar system, it’s possible to go completely off-grid and pay nothing for your power bill every month. Even if your roof or budget doesn’t allow for a bigger system, a small rooftop solar system will still cut your power bill down significantly. Talk to your local solar panel installation specialist about how much you can save with solar. A solar panel investment will typically pay itself back in 3-5 years.

As solar PV technology becomes more widespread, it has become more affordable than ever to switch to solar power. Depending on where you live, you may even be eligible for government rebates and discounts.

2. Solar hot water

Instead of heating your water with gas or electricity from the grid, you can use solar power. Solar hot water systems are usually installed on the roof where a solar collector collects heat from the sun and transfers it to the water tank.

If you’ve got a pool, solar power can also be used to heat your pool water. Water from the pool is circulated through a collector where it’s heated and then returned back to the pool. In the Australian climate, heating your pool with solar power is one of the most cost-effective options.

3. Solar heating

There are several different types of active heating systems that run on solar power. Solar liquid collectors are a popular choice for central heating. Heat from the solar collector is transferred to a liquid and either stored in a tank or sent to a heat exchanger for immediate use in your home. The heat can be distributed through your home using a radiant floor, hot water baseboards or a forced air system.

More simple solar air collectors can be used to heat a single room and transpired air collectors can be used to heat a building during cold weather. 

4. Solar ventilation

Solar is used to power ventilation systems in homes and commercial buildings. Solar roof ventilation systems are a popular product. They help keep your home cool in summer and prevent moisture build up in winter. Powered by inbuilt photovoltaic cells, solar roof ventilation systems will help keep your energy bills down while ventilating your roof space.

5. Solar lighting

Solar energy is commonly used to power stand alone outdoor lighting, including garden lights, security lights and street lamps. They usually contain a small solar PV panel and a battery to store the electricity for after the sun goes down. You can find inexpensive solar lighting solutions at your local department store as well as more advanced systems from specialist providers.

You’ll also find indoor lighting solutions powered by solar. Solar LED skylights provide free lighting during the night and day and are a good choice where traditional skylights can’t be installed. They work by connecting a solar panel on your roof to an LED diffuser panel on your ceiling. Modern systems allow you to adjust the lighting levels and connect to mains power if you need.

6. Solar tech and appliances

Solar is making our everyday tech more energy efficient and convenient. For example, you can use a portable solar PV charger to charge phones, tablets and other devices on the go. We’re also likely to see solar power being more commonly incorporated into our smart devices in the coming years. Solar is already being used in a wide range of personal tech and appliances including torches, watches, music speakers, solar dryers, radios, mini-fridges and thermostats.

Solar into the future

Renewable sources of energy, including solar power, are developing at a rapid rate. Solar power systems for homes and businesses are already more accessible and affordable than ever. We are already seeing solar powered being used to power buses, trains and cars and it’s likely that we’ll see even more exciting solar-powered technology emerging in the near future.