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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.

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  1. G

    Using solar (and attached direct) cylinders as heat stores

    Hi, this is all at the stage of considering theoretical possibilities but I'd really appreciate comments and guidance on the workabilities of the ideas proposed: (multistage diagram then explanation): (if that didn't work try this: Imgur). One positive with the ecological movement for many of...
  2. Z

    Danesmoor 15/19 oil boiler replacement, back boiler and solar collector

    Hi, At some point in the near future will replace our trusty old Oil fired Danesmoor, hopefully a new boiler will fit better in the kitchen units and lose the vertical flue. A plumber has suggested he fit a Firebird with a 10 year warranty, thoughts ? Also wondered if that would be a good time...
  3. S

    Potentially moving to house with solar panels - advice?

    Hi! :) I'm on the hunt for a house and one of them which looks incredibly promising has a solar installation - I don't know a whole lot about these so I was hoping to get some advice on 'best practices' with solar panels. I'm also wondering how putting power back into the grid works - does it...
  4. C

    Thermal store for Solar PV and oil - 2 immersions?

    Hi, I'm new here and have arrived on this forum as I have a question on the above. I'm talking to a solar PV supplier about a 4kw system with which will come and Eddi controller which can feed 2 immersion heaters. I'm a bit lost when it comes to the cylinders/thermal stores. We currently have...
  5. Rob Foster

    D.I.Y Solar Collectors - very danerous

    Incoming energy (sunlight) can be up to 7kw per m2 - did I get that fact correct ?
  6. EcoSol

    renewable energy/solar heating technical question.

    Hi guys, I’m designing a new kind of solar heating system. I’m just an amateur and don’t know enough about technical terms to run google searches for pieces of equipment to see if what I need exists, so I was wondering if you could help please? What I’m designing is a solar water heating...
  7. Rob Foster

    Why are all the components for a solar system so expensive ?

    I am thinking of putting together a system from a roof panel to a second coil in the cylinder but all the bits in the BES book are way more than ordinary fittings. As the solar liquid is chemically stabilised surely ordinary fittings and pipe will be ok. Or am I missing something here ?
  8. R

    Solar vacuum tubes domestic

    Hi anybody worked on vacuum solar I have a 30 tube panel piped up correctly sensors and pumps correct but I cannot get the panels to produce any heat above 26 oC they are about 8 yrs old and I was informed they have never worked properly .It feels like they are not transferring heat through the...
  9. T

    Solar thermal Crossfitting leak

    Morning, This fitting is leaking at panel side (Hewalex) as marked. It looks like roof flashing will block removal of fitting to replace seal. If it doesn't come out, does anybody know how long the temp probe is and if it might be easy to bend it to enable removal of fitting. If bending isn't...
  10. N

    Torrent solar store for free

    I've moved into a house where 12 years ago and two owners ago a solar water heating system was fitted. As far as I can see from correspondence this has never really worked, the original owner soon moved away, and the last owner had it all disconnected and a combi boiler fitted, making the whole...
  11. P

    Solar pumping station

    Seen this a couple of times any idea what causes it.
  12. Dan

    Find a Renewable Energy Specialist - Solar Thermal, Ground Source Heat Pumps etc

    Find a renewable energy specialist. Ground-source heat pump installers. Biomass pallet and log boiler installers. Air and ground-source heat pump specialists. Find your local renewables specialists right here on the UK's largest plumbing advice website. Post a new thread in this forum category...
    • Dan
    • Thread
    • energy find ground heat heat pumps pump pumps renewable renewable energy solar source thermal
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  13. O

    Does this look fair

    Does this quote look fair to you guys labour and materials? As I am not qualified and having less experience then you guys could you tell me that sounds alright to the above installation. Removing old solar system ( solar panels already disconnected and put on side on roof ) removing ( if...
  14. Robert Tyrrell

    Solar Heating enquiry

    I have a job thi week coming that requires the replacement of a UVDHW cylinder (I am G3 registered), but it turns out that its connected to a solar heating panel. My question is can anyone tell me, definitively, what the fluid in the system is likely to be? The system is around 8 years old...
  15. N

    what do you guys think of Teslas Solar Roof Tiles?

    Hey Guys what do you guys think of Teslas Solar Roof Tiles? are they viable in the UK? is it something you will offer your customers? here is a youtube videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sfwDyiPTdU
  16. S

    Looking for someone in Clitheroe area to help with solar panel system

    As the title suggests, I need to find a G3 registered engineer who can help with a leak on my Zilmet 11A-SOLAORPLUS cylinder. We have an unvented heating cylinder/system. Anyone who can help, please get in touch to take a look/quote for the job. Pictures of the cylinder attached...
  17. S

    Leaking/spitting from somewhere in the airing cupboard

    Evening all, Last time I posted, you achieved the impossible - you managed to talk me through a plumbing fix (I'm not exactly Mr DIY). I need some more advice if possible. We've noticed some of the stuff in our airing cupboard has got stained by rusty water & it looks like there's a leak...
  18. 1Steven

    Can't be right?

    Came across this on a solar setup. Don't remember this from the training! Petrol can as a drain back from the solar.
  19. leesparkykent

    Ashp

    what's the preferred flavour of ASHP? I'm building a chalet bungalow, UFH downstairs and an rads upstairs. obviously my plumber mate will be sizing rads accordingly etc. Just wondering what are your preferred brands so I can look into them a bit more? Most of my experience with them has been...
  20. W

    Government solar panel funding?

    My apologies if this has come up before. What does it entail exactly? Pro’s and Con’s Has anyone done it? Any advice?
Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

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