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Solar Energy from Southern Star Solar
As the world strives to achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous climate changes, and Governments encourage individuals and organisations to make more use of renewable energy sources, it makes perfect sense to harness the free energy that falls on Australia from our biggest sustainable energy source - The Sun. We can use the sun's heat and light to generate electricity and to heat water.
We are all aware that the Sun produces heat. With a suitable solar energy collector and associated equipment we can use this to heat water for our domestic purposes. Water heating accounts for 25% of the average Australian home energy consumption and solar can supply up to as much as 80% of this energy, thus saving money as well as reducing the carbon footprint. The Government also encourages solar water heating installations by offering financial incentives.
As well as making direct use of the Sun's heat we can also make use of the Sun's light. Using a device called a photovoltaic (PV) cell we can convert the light into electricity. An electrical current is the flow of electrons in a conductor such as copper. The PV cell is based on a discovery by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in the mid 1800s, who noticed that some materials release electrons when exposed to rays of photons from light. There are a number of different technologies that can be used to make PV cells but all are based on this same principle. For domestic and industrial solar electricity generation, PV cells are used in arrays, where a number of cells (perhaps 60 or 70) are connected together in a solar panel. A single panel might generate 100 to 200 Watts of electrical power. Such solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity rather than alternating current (AC) electricity that is used in Australian homes and businesses. We use a device called a DC to AC inverter to convert the electricity to the standard 240VAC at 50Hz that we use in Australia. The Government also encourages the installation of solar photovoltaic systems by offering financial incentives.
Southern Star Solar can supply and install efficient solar power collection systems to make use of this clean, renewable and sustainable resource in your home or business, reducing your reliance on non-renewable fuels such as coal and gas, reducing your carbon footprint and reducing your energy bills.
Contact us today for advice about using solar energy to generate electricity and to heat your domestic hot water.
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