Tag Archives: solar thermal

Solar pool heater

Guide to solar pool heaters: what you need to know

Pool owners are fortunate to have a place to cool down during hot, sticky weather, but owning a pool is not without its pain points. In an effort to keep pools open for as long as possible, pool owners may spend a good amount of money on heating the water to comfortable swimming temperatures. 

If you have a pool and are paying a lot to keep your pool temperature warm, you should consider renewable energy options for heating, such as “pool solar panels” (commonly known as solar pool heaters). While relying on warm weather to passively heat your pool is a good solution during the height of the summer, solar pool heaters are a great option to consider if you want to save money while extending the swimming season earlier into the spring and later into the fall.

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what is solar energy

What is solar energy?

Simply put, solar energy is energy from the sun. It’s the most abundant energy resource on Earth and can be converted from radiant energy from the sun to electrical or thermal energy. We use solar energy for many purposes, such as powering and heating homes, businesses, utilities, and more. Solar power is a renewable resource and, as such, is a critical part of our clean energy future. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about solar energy, including how it works and its applications.

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Thermodynamic Solar Panels

Thermodynamic solar panels: what are they and how do they work?

Typically, when you think about solar panels, you picture solar photovoltaics (PV): panels that are installed atop your roof or in an open space and convert sunlight into electricity. However, solar panels can also be thermal, meaning that they convert sunlight into heat as opposed to electricity. Thermodynamic solar panels are one type of thermal solar panel–also called a collector–that differ dramatically from traditional thermal panels; instead of requiring direct sunlight, thermodynamic solar panels can also generate power from heat in the air.

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solar thermal energy

Solar thermal energy: what you need to know

There are two key methods for harnessing the power of the sun: either by generating electricity directly using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or generating heat through solar thermal technologies. While the two types of solar energy are similar, they differ in their costs, benefits, and applications.

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