Energy Eden

With the world population booming, planet Earth’s resources are dwindling. As the scientific knowledge of our world increases, our society turns toward the inexhaustible energy source for an answer: the Sun. With solar collectors and energy converters, we can power almost anything with the power of the sun; from something as small as a flash to…water heaters!

Using solar energy for water heaters quite simple. A sheet of solar energy collectors is installed on a roof or wall that faces the sun, the heat energy is transferred to the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) to heat the water.HTF either be water already in the tank or, more commonly, anti-freeze fluid contained in a tube. Contrary to popular belief, solar energy is used as a supplement, rather than a replacement, to current sources of energy. Solar energy might not be enough to provide the amount of heat needed for a household or a commercial building, especially during the winter months.

There are three kinds of SWH systems: passive, active and active systems with intelligent controllers. Passive systems do not use pumps to move water through the system. Instead, this system relies on convection (the natural movement of heat or heated water moving upward) to move water. Active systems use a pump to move water through the system. The advantage of active pumps is that we have more freedom in the configuration of the heater; the user does not have to rely on convection to move the hot water where he/she wants it to go. Lastly, active systems with intelligent controllers have automated systems that give users more complete control of the system. Controllers can help users link the solar system to the back up electric or gas system, link users to safety functions and systems and display data such as energy produced and error messages.