Thermal Collectors and Thermal Solar Power Systems
There is a category of solar power designs which generate heat directly from the Sun. They are called thermal solar power systems, and are a reliable and inexpensive way to make your life more self sustainable for years to come.
The uses for thermal solar power are widespread and varied. Just think of any process which could utilize heat. This could range from something simple such as hot water heating, to more sophisticated designs involve stirling engines or industrial grade steam.
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.
There are other good uses for thermal solar power which we expect to increase in years to come. One is pebble bed heat exchangers, which act as a thermal storage bank for converted heat. This gives us some system capacity and operating flexibility.
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 temperature for most thermal solar power systems will be between 100F and 180F. In good solar climates these temperatures can be easily achieved with popular off the shelf equipment. With more specialized equipment we can go in excess of 250F, and with high performance industrial equipment over 700 degrees is possible. These high performance systems are usually for making steam, but incorporating them into other processes is also possible.
The solar collector is the most important component to a thermal solar power installation. A few different types include flat plate absorbers, evacuated tube absorbers, and parabolic trough concentrators. Their main purpose is to absorb solar radiation and generate heat for the system. With a good sized solar collector system, significant heat can be generated and distributed to multiple locations.
The lifeblood of the thermal solar power design is the circulating fluid. The circulating fluid is heated in the solar collector, and then pumped to all the system users. This fluid is typically oil, glycol, or water which is matched to the system temperatures and equipment in use.
Thermal solar power is a good first step for anyone getting involved with solar energy, and especially those with good amounts of Sun. The simplicity, potential savings, and environmental benefits make them an easy decision for those retrofitting or building a new home.
Thermal power systems are typically less expensive than solar power electricity, and can create household hot water and heat reliably. With the addition of pebble bed storage and higher operating temperatures, then the amount of potential uses suddenly becomes many. With the markets of sustainability re-growing their roots we expect to see a variety of new designs and installations in years to come.
