Throughout humankind’s history, there is one great constant: the sun. Without its power, the world would not have warmth, light or plants. Humans have reaped the benefits of solar energy for centuries and have developed more sophisticated methods of harnessing its power. Great societies in antiquity have long recognized the path of the sun and [...]

An absorption chiller is a machine that operates on thermodynamic principles to convert the solar thermal energy to air conditioning and refrigeration. Absorption chillers use a thermal compressor instead of a mechanical compressor. The system operates in three phases: evaporation, absorption and regeneration.  The first stage involves liquid form refrigerant evaporating low partial pressure surroundings, [...]

In designing a solar heating installation, the entire circuit must be tuned to the specific application and location. Some solar hot water systems have been designed for residential use, providing a household with solar thermal energy for the requirements of washing, cleaning, air conditioning, dehumidification, and not least of all, heating. Solar hot water installations [...]

Solar cooling, at first, sounds like a paradox. How can something so hot be responsible for producing cold? Through careful exploitation of thermodynamic principles, these systems utilize solar heat energy to fuel a cooling process. Energy is always lost to the surroundings whenever it changes form. So instead of transforming solar heat energy into electricity, [...]

Solar power can be used in many extraordinary ways. One of the most majestic applications of solar thermal energy is the solar furnace. These are enormous installations that make use of solar thermal energy for extreme high heat processes (temperatures as high as 3500oC/6330oF). The technology is wonderful for high temperature researchers; the heat produced [...]

Summertime leisure is frequently associated with swimming. Beaches, lakes or outdoor pools all see use in these months of long, warm days. However, also associated with pools are many costs, not the least of which is heating. Keeping a swimming pool at a comfortable temperature level is an expensive endeavor. This cost is very much [...]

In designing a solar heating installation, the entire circuit must be tuned to the specific application and location. Some solar hot water systems have been designed for residential use, providing a household with solar thermal energy for the requirements of washing, cleaning, air conditioning, dehumidification, and not least of all, heating. Solar hot water installations [...]