In preparing for my annual Spring course “Design of Solar Energy Conversion Systems”, I am reminded of just how many diverse technologies can be derived from our nearest large-scale fusion reactor. I will make exceptions to the obvious: horticulture and wind energy are derived from the sun too.
Here are some ideas beyond PV and concentrating PV (CPV):
- Passive/Active Solar Water Heating Systems (in your showers, dishwashers, heating your floors)
- Commercial/Distributed Space Heating Systems (using Solar Walls, Phase Change materials, Pebble-bed hot air storage).
- Solar Cooling (Yes! you can cool with the sun and heat pumps, dessicants, refrigeration cycles).
- Solar Industrial Process Heat and Solar Ponds (Do you own a mine or a refinery? Look into ways that you could dramatically reduce your energy bills!)
- Solar Thermal Power Systems (Also called Concentrating Solar Power–CSP–this is the technology with the best odds at being the next wave of electric power from the sun).
- Don’t forget solar chemistry (not just growing plants) to make hydrogen and other fuels!
Solar is very close to breaking out. Why not invest in solar tech?
