Off-Grid Stuff

Solar system is the planetary system that consists of Earth, Sun and the other planets and cellestial objects. But it is also a common name for a system that produces usable energy from solar radiation. This may cause small confusion, but since you’re interested in off-grid living, you probably are looking for the latter, right?

There are two main solar systems available: the solar thermal systems, that produce heat, used mostly for domestic hot water and in some cases for heating, and the solar photovoltaic systems, used to produce electricity. Those two systems will soon be described in detail in two separate articles. (more…)

Solar water heating is a small part of the entire solar heating subject. In british climate large amount of energy you use annually goes to make domestic hot water. In sunny days this water might be prepared using solar energy with a help of solar water heater.

The solar water heater in most cases is not one device, but a system consisting of at least three components:

1. solar thermal panel, the device that makes the hot water using solar radiation,
2. storage tank, well insulated, that holds the hot water from time it’s prepared to the time you open the tap,
3. pump and controller that turns the pump on only when the sun is shining (except for the thermosiphon systems).

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Solar heating is a term referring to usign free solar energy to generate usable heat. In most cases it refers to heating buildings, but sometimes to preparing domestic hot water.

Solar heating is one of the best way to utilise solar energy to produce useful energy. The alternative is to use photovoltaic systems that create electrical power using the same solar energy.

Most homes in moderate climates may produce most of heat needed for heating in winter from the solar energy, with use of solar thermal systems (mostly solar air collectors) and appriopriate amount of thermal mass to store this heat. For more info, check

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