Thermal Storage Banks and Thermal Solar Power

We use the words thermal solar power to describe any system designed to convert solar radiation into thermal energy. It is one of the major players in the solar power market and has huge untapped potentials.

Thermal solar power can be used in as many ways as you can think. Designs exist from heating up your hot water tanks, to industrial steam generation and everything in between. Many of these systems are attractive because of their low cost and simplicity.

For small scale users like ourselves, thermal solar power can be integrated into our homes. The most practical applications are for hot water and home heating, and there are a variety of designs in use. Equally as important is that thermal solar power systems are affordable and easy to use.

Pebble bed heat exchangers are another application for thermal solar power. They are like the thermodynamic equivalent of a water tank. They give us a nice reservoir with which to store and distribute excess energy.

Applications for pebble bed heat exchangers include radiant heating in and around our homes. They can be integrated into greenhouses, saunas, or even in your family rooms. Pebble bed heat exchangers are made from natural materials, and can be an attractive feature in any home.

The typical operating temperatures for a thermal solar power system will range from 120F to 180F. We have technologies to boost these temperatures from 200F to 350F. Industrial grade technologies can achieve temperatures in excess of 700F. Most of us with fall in the hundred degree category, but for the tinkerers, mechanics, and home enthusiasts we may want to push 300 degrees for our special applications.

Solar collectors are designed to achieve a certain operating temperature. Flat plate and evacuated tube collectors are very effective at lower system temperatures. Parabolic trough and concentrating collectors are required for higher system temperatures. The solar collector is quite possibly the most important component in your thermal solar power system. It is the thermodynamic engine and should be selected thoroughly and carefully.

The solar collector will transfer heat to a circulating fluid, whose flow is driven by a small pump. Depending on the system design temperature and operating environment, this fluid may be water, glycol, or oil. The circulating fluid is like the life blood of thermal solar power system by moving the energy to all the users.

Anyone seriously interested in energy independence should start with thermal solar power technology. The components are simple and inexpensive. If you could identify your climate as having reasonable amounts of Sun, then thermal solar power is encouraged to the fullest extent.

We believe thermal solar power to be a steadily growing market into the future, due to a growing awareness of energy conservation and reverting back to our natural ways. Thermal solar power is one good way to do this. The Sun is free, and we receive its energy each and every day. Solar hot water, home heating, and pebble bed heat transfer systems are simple to incorporate and easy to use. We believe their popularity will gain in years to come.

Related posts:

1. Thermal Collectors and Thermal Solar Power Systems
2. Solar Power Tracking Systems
3. Solar Panel Tracking Systems
4. Power From The Sun – Free Solar Energy
5. Solar Panel Mounting Systems