Sun Provides Consistent Radiant Energy
Nearly everyone has heard of radiant heat, which is the type of heat generated through hot water pipes in many homes and apartments and is the type of heat generated by most electric space heaters. It involves an element getting hot and the heat being naturally disbursed throughout a home. Radiant energy can be a reliable form of energy to produce heat as well as electric power, if it can be harnessed efficiently from the sun's radiation.
Radiant energy is what warms the Earth on a sunny day and currently, solar voltaic cells are capable of converting that energy into electricity. However, the power generated by these solar cells is limited to 12-volt direct current and the majority of appliances are designed to operate on alternating current. This can be overcome with the use of converters that change the direct current into alternating current, but the amount of power produced by radiant energy is small in comparison to an average home's requirement.
It requires a large number of solar cells to produce enough electricity to power the needs of an average home and when the sun goes down, every appliance being used would be left without power. However, the radiant energy being developed can be stored in batteries and used when the sun goes behind the clouds or during nighttime hours. Through the use of a regulator, the batteries will not be overcharged and damaged and power can automatically be directed to where it will do the most good.
Using The Sun's Energy To Create And Store Heat
In addition to electricity, radiant energy can be used to provide heat for many homes. Although the amount produced will not be sufficient to adequate keep an entire home warm, a properly designed system can reduce heating bills by as much 60 percent. The heat from the sun can be used to heat a liquid which is then transferred though the home, heating it through radiant energy.
For example, a 200-gallon tank with a glass or clear plastic cover can heat the water to about 160-degrees and when pumped through the house, the water temperature may all to about 120-degrees, but the radiant energy will warm the air in the house. The problem comes in at night when the sun is not shining. Additionally, in extremely cold climates, the liquid can freeze rendering the entire system worthless. However, in mild climates it can warm a home during the day and a complimentary heating system can be used in the evening.
