Power production requires resources. Among these resources includes space and land. This is a fact of nature. Since the sun beams down energy across the earth each and every day, basically anywhere in the world can become a power plant. The problem is that this land may possibly be reserved for other necessary things, such [...]

Some of the most popular vacation spots around the world exist in places where natural solar resources are great. These tropical places significantly more insolation than other parts of the world, often a major reason vacationers choose these places. For many, a choice vacation is that of a resort; a self contained establishment with all [...]

  Technology and society today are advancing in such a way that the methods of energy production, transportation and consumption that have been in use for the last 100 years are reaching the end of their shelf life. Expanded population growth and development are placing new demand on our energy resources as a planet. Infrastructure [...]

Solar Hot Water for Process Heat   A wide variety of industries require energy for production and manufacturing. If the energy is in the form of heat, this is called process heat. Some examples; steam treatment in the garment industry, heated water for chemical production and purification as well as hot water for washing and [...]

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 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 [...]

Many people and companies want to benefit from solar power because it is free and it is environmentally responsible. A new company, SolarTron Energy Systems is working on a photovoltaic module that can give up to 4kW/hour of electricity at a solar radiation of 1000 w/m2. This module can be added to their existing solar [...]