Solar Power for Houses: Your Residential Solar Power System

In climates where there are freezing temperatures, the water in solar hot water panels is in danger of freezing.  No hot water is produced when this happens, and it’s possible that the panels or piping could be damaged when the water expands as it freezes.   However, it’s perfectly possible to get solar  hot water in a cold climate – even during the winter.

The most common way to prevent the solar hot water panels freezing is to use glycol-based solutions in the panels. This requires a closed loop system where the heat is transferred from the glycol solution into the water you use in your house via a heat exchanger.   These systems are more expensive than simpler systems, but they are much more resistant to freezing and can continue to produce heat through the middle of a cold winter.   You will probably want a tankless hot water heater as backup because they may not produce enough for your needs when there are long spells of cloudy weather, but they will still produce hot water.  Both active and passive heaters can be outfitted with glycol so long as there’s a closed loop system.

Four-Season Solar Thermal Systems

Glycol-based solutions are typically used in active solar thermal systems, but they are also used in some Thermosyphon systems.  In order to use glycol in a Thermosyphon system, it must be a closed-loop system in which the solution in the solar thermal panels does not mix with your household water supply.  The glycol acts as antifreeze, preventing the pipes from freezing.  These solutions are typically 50/50 glycol and water.  Active glycol systems tend to be expensive, but they are considered the best choice for very cold climates.

There is one type of water-based system that can be used in frost-prone areas.  This is the drainback system, which does not easily freeze so long as the piping is sufficiently inclined so that drainback can occur quickly.  However, I suspect that this system is less tolerant of extremely cold temperatures for long periods of time than a system that uses a glycol fluid.

Three Season Solar Hot Water Systems

It is also possible to use a very simple system such as the batch heater during the summer and drain it during the winter.  You will get no hot water from it in the winter, but it should still be usable the next summer.

As you can see, there are several choices of thermal hot water systems for homes in a cold climate. Whether active or thermosyphon glycol, drainback or summer-only batch, there is probably something available that will fit your needs and pocketbook.

Sources:

US Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Energy Savers: Solar Water Heaters. Retrieved June 19 2009

Homepower.com. Retrieved June 19 2009

Build it Solar: solar water heating. Retrieved June 19, 2009

In the face of growing worldwide concern with regards to finding new and better renewable energy sources, solar energy is fast becoming a viable option. It is a field which will only increase in prominence in the coming years, and this has created immense opportunities for qualified individuals suitable for positions in this vertical.

Solar certification courses provide students with tremendous opportunity to gain a foothold in this growing industry and with the knowledge offered by these courses, they will be well positioned to be part of a knowledgeable workforce that will definitely be sought after in the solar installation industry.

Anyone who is looking to enhance his or her career opportunities in the field of renewable energy would do well to look into the career advancement possibilities offered by solar certification. With the increasing need to develop renewable energy sources in the current environmental scene all over the world, more and more electrical contractors are looking to enter the potentially lucrative solar electric energy industry.

There is an obvious need for electrical contractors to continuously add to their skill sets and receive endorsements from authorized certification bodies and one of the best ways to do that is by getting solar education. This sentiment is echoed by many in the industry who feel that the process of gaining solar certification is not really that much different from that which electrical contractors have already gone through in the past in order to become licensed contractors. It only makes sense to acquire solar certification as a means of further enhancing these skill sets. This will also allow them to develop their businesses in a way that will become increasingly more important and relevant to the environmental field.

To address this growing demographic, numerous renewable energy oriented organizations are stepping up to meet the demand by offering various solar education courses. Amongst the popular certifications in demand in the solar education space is the Solar PV Installation Certification program. Electrical contractors who have received such solar certifications are discovering that they are quite sought after by employers who are looking for capable and knowledgeable team leaders who can help crews break-in the new technologies inherent in green jobs.

Certificate programs for solar education and solar courses generally seek to instruct applicants in basic knowledge of the various solar applications and entry-level capability in common solar equipment installation procedures. This will equip them with credential certifications that are intended for renewable energy professionals and solar electric installers. The solar courses have been developed specifically for students that have little or no experience in the solar field, who are looking to gain knowledge on the basics of solar electric system operations and maintenance.

Keep in mind that these entry level solar certification programs do not render individuals qualified to actually install PV systems. Instead, they are intended to illustrate that students have gained a basic knowledge in the application and concepts of solar electric systems. Through further solar training, in Advance Installer Certification programs, candidates can equip themselves with expertise of a higher grid and scale.

Solar education and solar training courses are offered through a wide variety of venues. Some of the learning institutions where you can gain solar certification are colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational schools, technical learning institutions, and apprenticeship programs endorsed by appropriate government agencies.

Another solar certification that you can look into for purposes of enhancing your career opportunities with regards to green jobs are the ones offering certification and rating programs for manufacturers of solar panels. These programs are primarily designed to provide ways by which the maintenance of solar panels can be determined under recommended rating conditions. These solar certification programs encompass a broad range of solar-based applications including swimming pool heating, recreational heating, space heating, water heating and even cooling. These solar certification courses are generally voluntary and are offered to all manufacturers of solar-related products. One of the requirements of this program is the passing of a series of tests that have been developed by authorized solar certification bodies. This series of tests are conducted in line with industry standard methods that have been specified by independent laboratories.

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Article Source: Populate.net