Solar Energy Transportation
Many people associate solar energy with roofs that are covered with photovoltaic panels. It’s not difficult to comprehend why a lot of households have turned towards solar power to get sustainable, clean energy.
But, cheap electricity for your home is not the sole goal of solar power; there are many other uses of solar energy.
Exemples of Solar Energy
While roof-mounted photovoltaic (photovoltaic)panels are the main source of much of this production, standalone devices can generate enough power for transportation, technology and industry.
Solar Energy Transportation
You could be mistaken to think that the notion of being able to travel the globe without relying on fossil fuels is a dream.
Solar Impulse 2 achieved the remarkable feat in June 2014. It weighs the same as a typical family car but has a wingspan comparable to a aircraft. The lithium batteries are able to absorb sunlight during the day and maintain enough power to allow for flight during adverse weather conditions as well as at night.
The demand for commercial vehicles with thin solar mats that cover their roofs is also increasing. This is changing the transportation industry. Businesses can save on energy, cut emissions, and ensure that costs remain stable. These savings benefit customers.
Although solar-powered rail is just beginning to take off however, it is growing quickly. Solar panels located near railway lines can provide power to run signals and lighting at specific train stations. In the near future, fully solar-powered trains are possible. The rail network could be independent of the grid in the nation and gain a wealth of financial advantages.
Hybrid solar-powered vehicles seem to be viewed as slow however efficient they are. The technology has advanced to the point that hybrid solar-powered cars can compete with their gas-powered counterparts.
Solar Light
While solar lighting is used to illuminate a pathway or help a tree shine, it’s an extremely effective method to accomplish this.
String lights, also known as spikes, are easy to put up and don’t require any power source. Instead, solar panels are small and absorb sunlight throughout the day and store the energy in the battery for later use.
This system is also used in more powerful Led bulbs. They demand very little energy to produce adequate lighting. They can be used to light vast areas of driveways, large spaces, as well as entrances. Solar-powered security lighting that has pir technology detects motion and automatically turns on the lights.
Solar Heating
Thermal heating makes use of rooftop-mounted solar panels (collectors), to make use of the sun’s warmth to warm water. It is simple and efficient enough to heat 40-70 percent of an average family’s hot water needs every year.
- The sun’s energy is absorbed into fluidthat is then stored in tubes in every panel.
- The hot water flows via a heating exchanger to reach the hot storage tank for water.
- It is distributed across the pipes in the same manner as any other central heating system.
Sun’s power is free so you can lower your energy bill and carbon footprint by taking less stress off your boiler.
Solar space heating uses solar energy and decreases use of fossil fuels. The system can provide heat to entire homes and the water supply by adding heating exchanges. The system also makes use of the roof mounted solar evacuated tube panels also known as collectors.
- It is an lubricant which circulates in the tubes. It absorbs solar energy, and then returns to the storage tank.
- The tank circulates, warming the water in the heating system to temperatures of 130-175 degrees F.
- The hot water runs through your heating system, providing you with heat.
A heat exchange could be added to produce enough hot water to supply homes. This is ideal for summer seasons, in which heating isn’t required.
The most efficient and cost-effective method of heating pools is solar space heating technology.
Rooftop Solar Power
Photovoltaic cells use the sun’s energy to produce electricity. It is then converted to the power that is used in both domestic and commercial buildings. A 5kw system can be completed in 6 to 9 years.
Some products and situations don’t require a comprehensive solar array with solar panels. For these types of devices just a simple solar charger is adequate.
An inverter with a small capacity is required to operate devices that have a DC battery supply. This permits the current to be switched between a small number of solar cells.
There are many devices which can benefit from free, clean solar energy.
- Keyboards
- Refrigerator
- Telescopes
- Watches
- Radios
- Generators
- Outdoor showers
Solar in the Community
90 million households across America are unable to set up solar panels for (1) reasons or the other. The community solar system consists of a number of panels located in one central location that residents can utilize. People who sign up immediately will receive a reduction in their energy bills as well as other benefits.
- Installation is simple No worries about your roof’s orientation, or design isn’t suitable for solar energy.
- There is no need to make a big investment upfront. Instead, you can save money by signing up for a monthly subscription.
- Solar power helps to safeguard against the rising cost of energy and disruptions in supply.
- Local economic development the local economy; fossil fuel production relies heavily on solar panels, and human-powered logistics.
- You can reduce pollution and 02 emissions by taking steps to lower your carbon footprint as well as reducing the impact of climate change.
Solar energy generated by the community benefits your home, local economy and the environment.
Could solar energy be utilized in transport?
There is a great deal of excitement about solar energy at the moment and numerous companies, not just in the energy sector, are looking to make use of this. This is particularly true for solar-powered transportation. We are seeing the introduction of modern solar vehicles.
1. A solar-powered yacht
Imagine a boat that doesn’t need fuel, just solar energy. It is silent and produces no emissions and can travel for an endless distance.
According to the manufacturer, Silent 55 yachts have everything and more.
- Maintainable electric motor
- There is no heat buildup
- The most efficient marine propulsion system that is
- Battery batteries come with an eight-year warranty
- Solar panels come with a 25-year warranty
It comes with 30 high-efficiency solar panels, lithium batteries and maximum power solar charge regulators that track points. The manufacturer claims that there’s enough power and storage for the yacht to sail non-stop all night. The boat also has an Inverter of 15 kVA that provides power to the electrical components of all appliances. It also has a power-driven fore swim platform and an electric windlass of 1500 watts.
2. Solar electric vehicles
In the past, solar-powered vehicles were thought to be an unattainable dream for the automotive industry. The latest technological advancements have created new possibilities for the automotive industry. Numerous brands are now offering cars powered by solar power.
Hyundai for instance, recently launched a new model, which is called the Sonata Hybrid solar-powered car for North America. Although not yet available it has rooftop solar panels which, Hyundai claims, will boost the efficiency of the car’s engine and provide a power source. They also cut carbon dioxide emissions.
Although it has been pointed out that solar panels is not able to increase the range more than 2 miles per hour, Hyundai merits credit for having the first steps to the integration of solar technology into mass-produced vehicles.
3. Solar-powered aircraft
It was the Solar Impulse 2, an aircraft entirely powered by the sun, circled around the globe in 2016. It did this without fuel.
The plane is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells that are mounted on its wings. It can traverse both the Atlantic as well as Pacific oceans without the need for fuel. Bertrand Piccard was the sole pilot of the plane, and he reached 29,000 feet during daylight. He returned to 5,000 at night.
After the success in Solar Impulse 2, an HAPS (high-altitude pseudo satellite) powered by solar energy the Zephyr S, which was built by Airbus, flew for 25 days 23 hours and 57 minutes. The Zephyr-T which is a larger version of this flight, is in development.
4. The solar-powered Hyperloop train
2013 was the year that Elon Musk presented the Hyperloop concept – a high-speed, ultra-high-speed transportation system that drastically reduces the time it takes to travel between cities. Hyperloop, he claims it will take just 30 minutes to get to Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Musk imagined Hyperloop as a new mode of transportation, after trains, cars and planes. It could transport people and cargo using self-propelled pods. The pods are constructed using low-pressure vacuum tubes, and can be moved at speeds of more than 700 miles per hour. This is a comfortable, efficient and quick method to move freight and people.
MAD Architects, Hyperloop Transportation Technology further developed Musks vision of an eco-friendly design that is the Hyperloop train is powered by solar panels and wind turbine forest.
Hyperloop’s vision is inspirational. It provides people with a method of traveling long distances which is quick and safe in contrast to flying on planes that are extremely polluting.
In order to generate the electricity needed for Hyperloop’s interactive information boards as well as Hyperloop trains, the tunnels will be equipped with solar panel skins. The tunnel will also be equipped with bladeless wind turbine forests.
While this idea may not come to fruition in a year, businesses are already looking into all possible avenues.
