Sunshine Time: How Is Solar Energy Used Exactly?

The costs of going solar keep decreasing at a rapid pace. This is doubly true of those who compare prices and quotas between suppliers. With the sheer amount of benefits for both individuals and business entities, there’s no wonder that the industry is booming.

If you’ve noticed the buzz, but you’re not quite sure how is solar energy used and its applications, no worries. We’ve got you covered.

Keep on reading to learn all about the intricacies of solar energy. We’ll cover the different uses and outputs it can grant you.

How Is Solar Energy Used?

In the simplest of terms, solar energy is generated by capturing sunlight, which creates photovoltaic power (PV). And, in the case of solar heating, the cells will convert sunlight into concentrated solar power (CSP). 

Whether it’s PV or CSP, those are power sources that can be used to operate different types of machinery, gadgets, and heating equipment. Now, let’s explore the most common solar energy uses on the market. 

Solar Electricity

No field of energy has gained as much momentum as solar energy applications did in the last couple of years. This is doubly true when it comes to generating solar electricity. 

With the costs of solar panels in decline, the technology is becoming more accessible to different segments in the market.

When it comes to solar electricity, you’ll see a distributed solar PV system that’s placed on the rooftops of houses or commercial buildings, similar to the one offered by Blue Raven Solar. It’s a cohesive system that will allow the building to generate not only enough electricity to cover the property’s usage, but also send out any excess electricity back to the grid. 

Moreover, even during nighttime, a solar battery can power an EV overnight, or even stand by as a backup power source in case of emergencies. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you have some homeowners who don’t even bother connecting their properties to the grid, so they just have either a solar power generator system or a mix of solar power and a battery system. This allows them to completely go off the grid. 

Solar Heating 

When it comes to solar heating systems, they can be attached to radiant floors or even paired up with a Forced Hot Air (FHA) system to fully heat a home.

Also, as solar technology keeps advancing, there are now passive solar designs that can heat homes during the winter season by using specific materials in the construction phases, as well as the placement of the windows. 

Solar Lighting

One of the more common uses, yet underappreciated applications of solar energy is solar lighting. Whatever the type of lighting you want for your home or business, you can find a solar version that doesn’t use any other form of electricity. 

Furthermore, you’ll find a wide range of designs, as well as price points, depending on your needs. 

Ready to Go Solar?

Understanding the different applications of solar energy uses can be a bit overwhelming, especially for folks who are just reading about renewable sources of energy for the first time. Hopefully, our article has answered the question of the day, which is: how is solar energy used? If you liked our little explainer, you’ll want to check out our tech section for additional tips and tricks about all things tech and energy. We explore all the different sources of energy and answer other questions like “how is energy generated?”