What Is Solar Thermal?
Solar thermal, in general terms, refers to the use of solar energy for heat generation. This can take the form of heating water, as well as electricity generation.
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Residential Systems
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Residential solar thermal systems are used for water heating and, reports the Department of Energy, are divided into two general groups: active systems and passive systems. Active systems employ pumps for circulation while passive systems generally do not.
Electricity Production
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Solar thermal electricity production is typically done in large scale facilities that feed into the electrical grid. However, Solar Developments reports that there are standalone systems that are not necessarily grid connected.
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System Types
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Solar electricity generation is done with power towers that have sunlight reflected onto them by mirrors, and parabolic troughs that direct solar energy onto fluid-filled pipes. A third system is a parabolic dish that focuses solar energy directly onto a heat engine.
Benefits
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As with other solar technologies, solar thermal can help to reduce overall use of fossil fuels for energy production and reduce household energy costs. This reduction provides direct environmental benefits through lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Space Requirements
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Solar Developments reports that it would require the use of only 1 percent of the desert areas in the world to completely replace fossil fuel electricity with solar-based electricity.
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References
- Photo Credit sun image by Stepanov from Fotolia.com
