| We often associate solar power heating with solar | | | | pipes that connect to the water tank. The water runs |
| cells that are used to convert the sun's energy into | | | | through the pipes and is heated in the process by the |
| electricity. The electricity powers an element that | | | | solar energy. The water tank is insulated so that any |
| heats a water tank and provides hot water for baths, | | | | heat isn't lost to the environment. |
| showers or cleaning the pots and pans (amongst other | | | | For water circulation, there is either a low powered |
| things). However solar power is not just about | | | | pump, or it is achieved through convection, where the |
| converting photons to electricity. | | | | hot water rises and the cold water sinks down. To |
| The sun's energy has been used for thousands of | | | | achieve circulation through convection, the holding tank |
| years, in a passive sense, to supply heat to many of | | | | is placed above the collector, so that the water rises |
| humanities most basic needs. Indeed, mankind has | | | | into the holding tank, as it heats up, and the cold water |
| cooked with the sun, heated water and created fire. | | | | sinks down to be heated. Alternately, a low powered |
| Creating electricity is just the current way that we | | | | pump is used to circulate the water. |
| have taken advantage of the sun's energy. This article | | | | Heating your water for domestic purposes, through |
| will look more closely at solar powered heating of | | | | solar power is sensible if you live in warm climates and |
| water and keeping buildings warm. | | | | the sun is shining most of the year. It can save you |
| Solar Power Water Heating | | | | plenty on water heating bills and is an environmentally |
| A solar hot water heating system consists of a solar | | | | friendly way to provide domestically heated water. |
| collector and a holding tank. The water is passed from | | | | Solar Power Heating for Buildings |
| the solar collector to the tank based on how hot it is | | | | The sun will naturally heat a building however a house |
| by either gravity and convection (in a passive solar | | | | can be designed to take more advantage of the suns |
| heating system) or a pump (in an active system). | | | | energy. Special materials can be placed in the floors |
| In the active system, the water that flows through the | | | | and walls to store the sun's heat or insulate the building |
| collector is heated. In the passive system, the fluid | | | | from heat loss. |
| heated in the collector is passed through a heat | | | | The building can be designed so that more windows |
| exchanger in the holding tank, thereby heating the | | | | are positioned to be directly in contact with the sunlight. |
| potable water in the tank. The holding tank merely | | | | This means in the northern hemisphere the windows |
| holds the water that has been heated, or is being | | | | are south facing, and in the southern hemisphere, they |
| heated. | | | | are north facing. |
| The solar collector, which is usually located in a position | | | | Another way to passively heat the house is to run |
| that comes into direct contact with the sun is | | | | water pipes under the floor boards. The water that |
| responsible for heating the water. It is commonly found | | | | runs through the pipes can be heated by a solar |
| on rooftops and consists of a rectangular box that is | | | | collector and used as an underfloor heating source. |
| painted black to absorb the heat. Inside the box are | | | | |