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Solar water heaters and Solar electric (photovoltaic) systems
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Flat plate solar water heaters
Pictured is a commercial installation consisting of 6 flat plate collectors of 2.2sqm each, providing hot water for
THE DOLMEN CENTRE, Portnoo, Co. Donegal.
An average domestic water heating installation consists of 2 or 3 of those solar collectors.
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Vacuum pipe collectors
Vacuum pipe collectors largely avoid heat losses from the collector itself. The picture shows a domestic hot water and space heating installation consisting of 50 tubes (20 + 30).
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Photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic panels are the ideal power source in remote locations, where grid connection is costly. The picture shows a 1.2kW solar array powering a remote home in conjunction with a Diesel generator. The generator charges the same batteries as the PV panels, so even in winter it only has to run occasionally. Before the solar system had been installed, the Diesel generator was the only electricity source. The solar system reduced Diesel consumption by some 100 litres per week. |
Photovoltaic power for boats
Surely the most convenient on-board power for boats is photovoltaic (solar-electric) power.
In engine driven boats, photovoltaic panels can keep the batteries charged while the engine is not running.
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Solar driven boats
Solar power can also drive small dinghies like the one pictured here via an electric outboard motor. No need for noisy and polluting 2stroke engines. No need for carrying and refilling petrol.
The example shown consists of a 110Watt solar module, regulator, 100Ah gel battery, 35lbs thrust engine. |
Enniscrone 'Water Point'
The popular indoor swimming pool near Ballina now solar heated! 60 square metres of solar panels heat pool and shower water. An oil boiler boosts temperature as necessary. The system generates approximately 30 000 kWh of heat per year, saving some 3300 litres of heating oil.
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Solar electricity on a Cavan lake island
'Trinity Island Lodge', a luxury holiday home on a lake island in County Cavan, gets its power mainly from solar electric (PV) panels. Solar panels with a peak output of 4kW charge a 24V, 1800Ah battery bank. A 5kW inverter turns the battery power to standard 230VAC electricity. In prolonged dull-and-calm weather or in case of excessive usage, a Diesel generator starts automatically providing electricity as well as charging the battery bank. See link under "Other green products...". |
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