Solar
heat that is used to heat water is useful to most of those who have
the capability to use it, but many of those who use these don’t
truly understand each of the three vital steps that need to happen
to make sure that all is done correctly.
The three steps are:
• Sunlight is collected – This part of solar heat is the
most basic element. Regardless of if the energy collected will be
used to heat water or cool a home, it must first be collected. This
collection is most often done by Photovoltaic panels on the roof of
a home.
As the sunlight hits the surface, it is collected and then strikes
an absorbing metal. Most often it is silicon that is the material
of choice in these kinds of panels. It is the silicon’s responsibility
to transfer the light into heat. It does this by trapping the solar
energy.
• Energy transfer – After the sunlight has been collected,
it is then important to the efficiency of the system to make sure
that the energy is transferred properly. The heat is pumped from the
collector into the water storage tank for those who are looking for
solar heat to warm their water supply.
Many systems include a pump that transfers the hot water from the
collector into a storage tank. This pump is fueled by either electricity
o a mall photovoltaic panel.
• Energy is stored –This water is then stored in an insulated
tank until it is needed. As water is taken out, new water takes its
place. Thanks to the solar heat of the day time, this water can be
already warm. But, if this takes place in the evening, the water that
replaces that being used will be cold since no solar heat can be generated
without sunlight.