Welcome to the bright and bountiful world of Solar Power! From help with installation, grants and funding, right back to the What Where and Why’s of just getting started, EcoSwitch.com has compiled a quick and concise starter-pack of solar resources to help shed a little light on those rather grey areas of renewable power in order to start you generating those great eco-ideas today.

Energy from the Sun: How it Works

The simplest way a science teacher will teach solar power is by pointing out that it has been around for centuries. The energy inherent in the sun’s rays has been keeping the Earth alive since the dawn of time. But on a domestic, societal level, we’ve been using this energy quite consciously too – just think, before tumble dryers, how did we dry our clothes? That’s right, we hung them out in the sun.

The more modern conception of solar power, however, is best understood in terms of storage. Now that we recognise a degradation in the planet’s natural resources we have started to take an interest in the more ‘sustainable’ approaches to powering our lives. As we live in societies fortified by a reliance on electricity, as well as the economic, cultural and technological frameworks that we take for granted, it is the generation of electricity that we must concentrate our efforts into.

And thanks to years and years of inspiration, perspiration and dedication, we now have a number of foundational solar models that not only work efficiently but are also a viable and realistic prospect for the future of renewable energy. In fact, if we had the technology to harness the total energy that hits the earth via the sun’s powerful rays, we could meet our annual demand for energy consumption in just over one minute.

At present, there are three solar models which will apply to use in the UK. And these are:

• Solar Cells; also know as ‘photovoltaic’, ‘PV’ or ‘photoelectric’ cells: these are the flat panel strips and blocks that are commonly seen installed on rooftops here in the UK. They are a great source of microgenerational power and a sure way to cut electricity bills down to size, as well as offset a chunk of that ugly carbon footprint. More and more homeowners are installing PV cells thanks to government funding to help take the sting out of that original payout. Here in the UK the traditional unit will look a lot like a Velux window (so as to remain domestically camouflaged) but in Japan they are developing a photovoltaic paint-strip that is barely discernible to the untrained eye, and can be painted onto windows, offices, glass rooftops, and the like.
• Solar Water Heating; this is another domestic application of solar energy: basically, heat from the sun is used to heat water in glass panels on your roof so that you have to spend less money heating it with gas or electricity and spend a little more time enjoying it relatively cheaper. The way it works is – Water is pumped through pipes in the panel. These pipes are painted black, so that, thanks to science, they naturally retain heat energy when the sun shines on them. Water is pumped at a root entrance located at the bottom of the unit so as to increase convection and ensure that the hot water is actually hot.
  Traditionally these types of solar contraptions are used in outback landscapes commonly found in places such as Australia and America, where sunshine is bold and consistent throughout the year. However, as technology improves, engineers are discovering more effective models that will find their way to a UK market.
• Solar Furnaces; these are traditionally used by larger national organisations as the initial investment is significantly high. However, inventors have copied models of solar furnaces such as Odeillo, in France, which orchestrates a huge array of mirrors in order to concentrate temperatures of up to 3,000. Of course, these smaller, domestic inventions definitely do not reach those extreme heights, but a similar technique has been designed for the popular ‘solar oven’. Common in hot countries like Spain and Portugal, these nifty little inventions are used for cooking all year round, and are a great solar alternative to gas or electric hobs.

Does Solar Energy Apply to Me?

Of course it does. A common misconception in the UK is that solar energy is practically a waste of time and space. This is just not true. Since the first emergent models of solar cells there has been a rapid increase in technological advancement, investment into the solar market, and an ever-developing selection of solar alternatives to traditional models. Honestly, if it once ran solely on electricity, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll be able to find it today with a very fashionable solar strip. The quality of solar power is evolving into a league of its own: just think back to the first electric cars; now there is talk of Koenigsegg Quant releasing a solar supercar! Where once it was only a calculator powered by PV strips; now satellites stay powered in orbit thanks to it.

The key is to keep an open mind. Don’t just do what you’re used to; keep looking for better, more sustainable models. The personal advantages are worth it alone: By installing a solar panel for your home, you can begin to save 1/3 off those ever-increasing gas and electricity bills. Even national energy suppliers have seen the advantages of source ‘clean’ electricity and are able to offer cheaper energy tariffs because of it (click on the ecotricity link below to find out more). And you don’t have to worry too much about those initial installation payouts either. There are numerous grants and funding made available by the government to encourage homeowners to go green and start producing their own electricity. See more below

Grants, Funding and Installation

Whether you’re a homeowner, a small business owner, or a professional looking to install a solar unit for domestic or commercial use; there are a number of grants you may be eligible for, which could see as much as £2, 500 go towards your installation. Contact your local council or even approach one of the local plumbers for further information – you’ll surely be surprised how much support there is available today.