Keeping the inside of a home or business cool can be very important in environments where there are people with medical conditions or where employees will be performing strenuous labor. Solar air conditioning uses energy generated from the sun in order to power different components that can keep the inside of a building cool regardless of the temperatures outside. There are two basic designs that can be used for this purpose. Both installations require the use of solar panels in order to power the cooling equipment that is used.
Photovoltaic Cells
The most common types of solar air conditioning require the use of photovoltaic cells in order to convert sunlight into electricity. These panels need to be installed in an area where the maximum amount of direct sunlight can reach the cells for the longest period of time possible each day. The size of a home will help to determine exactly how many panels are needed, because the amount of electricity that can be generated is directly related to the number of photovoltaic cells that are exposed to the sun. Average homes can have these panels installed on the roof, while larger estates might require separate installations somewhere on the property.
Hybrid Systems
A hybrid solar air conditioning system uses photovoltaic cells to generate electricity that powers traditional air conditioners inside of the building. Since the cells are unable to create power unless the sun is shining there are several hybrid solutions that are used to guarantee that the system will work regardless of the weather conditions or time of day. The photovoltaic cells can be used to charge batteries when not in use so that there is a reserve of energy available later. Many systems also incorporate a backup mechanism where electricity from the local power grid can be instantly activated to drive the cooling system when there is no solar energy available at all.
Evaporative Cooling
Individuals or businesses that are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional cooling units might want to use evaporative solar air conditioning. This involves using solar power to drive fans that push air through tubes or chambers that contain moist materials. Water draws heat out of the air in the tube very efficiently. Fans that are powered by solar panels or batteries can then circulate the cool air throughout the building. This system uses less energy than larger window-mounted units and also produces fewer harmful emissions. There are even some evaporative cooling techniques that use the natural moisture under the ground to create a cooling environment.
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