News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

There is a learning curve to navigate when it comes to new technology and solar power is certainly not unique when it comes to this. Such a simplistic and exciting renewable energy available to us all and yet there are many questions and myths surrounding its use. Let’s bust some more of them!

Passive Solar

Solar power is alive and working wonderfully in the northern hinterlands. Numerous examples exist of engineered structures, designed to take advantage of passive solar energy usage. When you step inside these buildings, you are immediately surprised by how cozy and comfortable they are. On bright sunny days, windows that are insulated and facing south let the suns energy in and on really sunny days, the passive solar heats the windowed area to the equivalent of about a half gallon of heating oil. When these windows are covered at night, more heat will be retained and the quantity of oil saved per sq’ would be around the gallon mark.

The Sun Loves The Remote North

Numerous examples exist of solar power systems being set up and utilized daily and successfully in the northern regions of Canada and the outer north locations of the United States. It might come as a surprise to hear that Germany is the number two user solar generated electricity via photovoltaic arrays; Germany is not even close to the southern Mediterranean! Much further north actually with a latitude of forty eight to fifty four degrees, comparable to that of Canada.

Since the winter days are short and not ideal to solar power production, the utilization of net metering for solar units on grid and the longer days of summer, the difference is balanced out to a great degree. A noteworthy fact about northern locations, there has been a priority swing in peak current loads from winter months to summer of late, this means an opportunity for more solar energy production and the resulting solar electricity generated during this period.

The northern regions have been using solar thermal heating for a good number of years, interestingly, the further north the location, the more solar capture devices are put in place to make up for the loss of light in winter time. Fact is, the more north they are installed, the faster these solar units recoup their cost because of the colder, overcast environment and the requirement of more heat that accompanies it.

When You Build It, It Will Work

Due to the lessened amount of sunshine, the further north it gets set up, a photovoltaic [PV] system must be designed with more care so it functions as efficiently as it can. Things like the most favorable angle [South facing is ideal], the angle of tilt [ninety degrees is ideal – the sun radiation impacts the PV panels angled perpendicular, adjusting the tilt each season means the units power generation can be increased considerably], as well as load requirements.

As well as the advantage of having good design, certain PV panels are engineered to be more effective when it is overcast or in more northerly locations. There is also the fact that power rates are likely more expensive in northern communities, where demand is greater for heat, a solar energy unit can be an even better investment. A point of fact, in certain areas, the older it gets, the more clear and sunny it becomes and this means higher solar power generation. On top of this, solar panel arrays wok more efficiently when the temperature is cooler. Cold, or at least cool, certainly does come with some reward!

No Technical Obstacles

Technically, there are no limitations to solar power being utilized in the far northern areas. Because provider rates and dependability of the supply of power can be dicey with inclement weather and all, solar electricity and solar thermal power can be a very viable source of energy in these regions, and a practical plan for northern power needs.

Chalk up another solar power myth busted!