North Carolina Energy Partners
North Carolina Energy Partners
Solar Energy
Harnessing the power of the Sun
The future is here today!
1.Thermal Solar, also known as solar water heating, is used most often for heating swimming pools, heating water used in homes, and space heating (radiant) for buildings. This is the most efficient, cost effective and popular way to harness the sun’s power. With tax credits*, the systems can generally pay for themselves in five to seven years, and then perform for another 20 to 25 years with minimum maintenance.
Two basic techniques:
Glycol Systems: Indirect Heating, Differential or Photovoltaic (PV) Controlled Antifreeze Protection (active, indirect): Collector water is separate from potable water and contains non-toxic anti-freeze material.
Some advantages of photovoltaic systems are:
PV arrays can be installed quickly and in any size required or allowed.
The environmental impact is minimal, requiring no water for system cooling and generating no by-products.
Energy from the sun can be used in many ways. Light is the most common way we take advantage of solar energy to light buildings via windows and skylights. Heat or thermal, such as passive solar room heating, solar hot water and pool heating are other applications of solar “thermal” energy. Used by man for hundreds or maybe thousands of years, the energy from the sun remains constant and predictable. Photovoltaic or “PV” (also sometimes called “solar electric”) harnesses solar energy by directly converting sunlight into electricity. Thermal solar pertains to the heating of water and heating devices that are heated by water. NCEP offers various levels of detail to help clarify the basics of these systems and how they may be deployed to meet the energy needs of your home or business. In all applications, the panels or collectors need to be installed to face as close as possible to true South. PV is more sensitive to shade than water heating applications.
There are four basic types of solar energy applications that businesses and homeowners utilize in North Carolina:
As you can see below, solar panels and collectors can be attached to almost any type of roof surface:
*North Carolina Energy Partners is not in the business of dispensing tax advice.
Please consult your tax professional for specific advice before proceeding.
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