Search the forum,

solar

Solar power is the conversion of renewable energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.Photovoltaics were initially solely used as a source of electricity for small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to remote homes powered by an off-grid rooftop PV system. Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. Since then, as the cost of solar electricity has fallen, grid-connected solar PV systems have grown more or less exponentially. Millions of installations and gigawatt-scale photovoltaic power stations have been and are being built. Solar PV has rapidly become an inexpensive, low-carbon technology.
The International Energy Agency said in 2021 that under its "Net Zero by 2050" scenario solar power would contribute about 20% of worldwide energy consumption, and solar would be the world's largest source of electricity. China has the most solar installations. In 2020, solar power generated 3.5% of the world's electricity, compared to under 3% the previous year. In 2020 the unsubsidised levelised cost of electricity for utility-scale solar power was around $36/MWh, and installation cost about a dollar per DC watt.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. W

    bet solar filling/flushing pump?

    Looking to purchase a solar filling/flushing pump, just wondering if anyone can share any experience they have will different makes/models? Saw this Rems Solar Push K 60 and thought it looked a good price!
  2. K

    Worcester Bosch FKT 1S Solar panel

    FOR SALE This W/Bosch FKT 1S (version V2) solar panel was bought by me as part of a solar thermal install in my own home which was completed at the end of October. I had scaffolding erected ect to ensure safe handling. This panel was installed onto the roof along with another panel and it...
  3. M

    best value solar thermal panels and heat pumps

    Hi, looking to sit courses for these soon. I want to know which are the best value as I'm sure this will be key to selling them, making the pay back times shorter. I hear Mitsubishi ecodans and Grant air source are good but how do they compare pricewise compared to others and the likes of...
  4. W

    Flashing for solar thermal pipes

    Just wondering if anyone recommends a certain lead/aluminium flashing. There is that much on the market im not sure if to go for a specially designed solar one or just stick to a lead flue/soil vent flashing
  5. J

    Advice about twin coils

    Hi Just got a twin coil cylinder, for an unvented system, do i need to connect in the solar coil before using the cylinder or can I do it at a later date??? Cheers jimgiraffe
  6. C

    Whats up?

    Hi, new member here, first post. Not a plumber but a keen diyer. Have installed CH & UFH in the past, not gas though, leave that to the pros. Great site love the banter. Looking for some helpful advice 2yrs ago we had a company in to install a 30 tube solar hot water system. They replaced...
  7. M

    Is worth my while doing solar thermal????

    Im off to Vaillant in leeds on tuesday to do the solar thermal course......I'm now beginning to wonder if its really going to be worth it if its so hard and expensive to become MCS... .what do u guys think? There's only me and my mucka so in no way are we a big firm. Any input would be welcomed...
  8. J

    solar pv tarif halved

    As we all know, solar works best when the sun shines but from december the feedback tariff is being halved so they can stick there solar where the sun dont shine.
  9. W

    Insurance for Renewables

    My public liability insurance is up for renewal and i was wondering how many of you out there have special insurance for fitting solar panelling etc. I have had a quote including specialist solar panelling insurance, although i only install solar thermal, and it is twice as much as just standard...
  10. J

    Solar Panelling

    Had a few neighbours have solar panelling put up recently and just wanted to see what people's views are and anything that should be asked Any help on this cos all these freebies cant be good as we all know there is nothing for free!!
  11. cr0ft

    The death of solar PV?

    Feed-in tariff rate cut proposalsI think this one is going to be the nail in the coffin for the Solar PV industry, just my 2 cents! Glad I for one waited on registering for MCS and doing the courses. Trying to sell a PV system with what looks like an 18 year payback now is likely to prove...
  12. C

    Solar PV

    Anyone saw the new proposed rates for Solar PV? Apparently it was leaked in a document from the Energy Savings Trust. 43.3p/kWh down to 21p/kWh after Dec 8 2011. Bang goes any hope of growth now then eh?
  13. P

    Temperature Indicator on hot water cylinder

    I have a large cylinder with 3 divisions (for Immersion heater; Gas heating; and Solar heating) The cylinder is insulated with cast-on foam. I can't tell what temperature it is at, so I want a stick-on temperature Indicator. Where can I get one please? petercaldicot
    • petercaldicot
    • Thread
    • cylinder heating hot hot water hot water cylinder solar temperature water
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  14. J

    mcs training with no plumbing experience

    can you do the mcs training with no plumbing experience
  15. K

    Best Solar sealant/paste to use ??

    Please help guys. My new cylinder is plumbed in, only the solar side to go. What is the Best paste/sealant to use ? bearing mind I will be having 2 x Flat panels. Im fully aware PTFE is not suitable, my Hemp is at the ready. Kev.
  16. B

    MCS - rough idea to costs ?

    I'd appreciate it if any of you mcs approved guys could give me a rough idea on the costs involved in getting the mcs approval. I'm planning to start up with a sparky pal of mine doing solar thermal & pv. He's just done his pv course & I did the bpec solar hot water course a few years ago...
  17. K

    Goodbye Gas Hello Solar!

    After 25 years installing what I believe to be quality gas boiler installations, training to be Part P approved, I have now taken the plunge to gain a certificate in Solar Thermal. So Tuesday morning I will be sitting in a classroom again in Worcester, eager to learn. Seems to good to be true...
  18. C

    Training to become a solar thermal installer is there work out there

    I am currently a plumber and thinking of going into the solar panel path of plumbing is this a good idear some advice would be great thanks
  19. F

    wiring diagram for a thermal store with solar thermal, wood burner & oil boiler

    Has anyone got a wiring diagram for a thermal store with solar thermal, wood burner & oil boiler connected? Please Cheers
    • Fartbottle
    • Thread
    • boiler burner diagram oil oil boiler solar store thermal thermal store wiring
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

Newest Plumbing Threads

Electrical Blog
Tile Blog
Tiling Forum UK
Tilers' Talk
Tile News
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock