What Is Solar Mainly Used For?

Solar energy usage has expanded rapidly over the last few decades. Early solar power technologies date back to the 19th century, but widespread adoption only began in the 1950s with the space race. Today, solar is one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy worldwide, with a diverse range of applications.

Some of the main uses of solar power include residential installations like rooftop solar panels, large-scale solar farms and plants that provide electricity to the commercial grid, solar water heating systems, solar-powered vehicles and gadgets, and solar panels to provide energy for spacecraft and satellites. The importance of solar is driven by its renewable nature at a time of rising energy demand and climate change concerns. Solar offers a clean energy source that relies only on the sun’s rays and can supplement or replace fossil fuels across many functions.

Residential Uses

Rooftop solar panels are one of the most common solar applications for homes. Solar panels installed on rooftops can generate electricity to power the home and reduce electricity bills. The electricity generated can be used immediately or fed back into the grid. Home solar panel systems typically include an inverter to convert the DC electricity into usable AC electricity.

Solar water heating systems are another popular residential use of solar energy. These systems use solar thermal collectors, usually mounted on the roof, to heat water which is stored in an insulated storage tank. The hot water from the storage tank can then be used for various applications like washing, bathing, etc. Solar water heating provides an eco-friendly way to reduce electricity or gas consumption for water heating.

Off-grid solar power utilizes solar panels, batteries, charge controllers and inverters to generate electricity independent of the main power grid. It allows homes in remote locations to access electricity without needing grid infrastructure. Off-grid systems require careful sizing of components and energy-efficient appliances to ensure adequate solar power is available through fluctuating weather conditions.

Commercial Uses

Solar energy is being increasingly adopted for commercial buildings such as offices, warehouses, and factories. Installing solar panels on the large, flat rooftops of these structures allows companies to reduce their conventional electricity usage and save significantly on utility bills.

Many modern warehouses and factories are opting to install solar panel systems on their rooftops. The large, expansive roofs of these industrial buildings provide plenty of surface area for solar arrays. Warehouses and factories often have high energy demands for their operations, so solar can help offset a portion of their energy usage.

Commercial office buildings are also adding solar panels on their rooftops and parking garages. The electricity generated from the sun can help power office equipment, lighting, elevators, and HVAC systems. Solar panels reduce grid demand and provide clean renewable energy for tech companies and other businesses with sustainability goals.

Additionally, solar parking canopies are becoming popular for commercial properties. Installing elevated solar panels over parking lots provides shade for cars while generating solar energy. Solar canopies allow companies to utilize the often unused space over parking areas to harvest solar energy.

Agricultural Uses

Solar power is being increasingly used in agriculture to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Some of the main agricultural applications of solar energy include:

Solar-powered irrigation pumps

Using solar panels to power irrigation pumps is a clean, cost-effective way for farms to irrigate crops. Solar pumps require no fuel and have minimal maintenance costs compared to diesel-powered pumps. They allow irrigation to continue even in remote locations without access to an electric grid.

Solar driers and cold storage

Solar driers utilize energy from the sun to dry agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, and grains for storage. Solar chilling units can also keep perishable produce cold using solar power instead of grid electricity or diesel generators.

Solar-powered fencing

Electric fencing powered by small solar panels is an affordable and sustainable option for livestock operations. The solar panels charge batteries that energize the fence, reducing the need to power fence lines from the electrical grid.

Transportation

The transportation sector is embracing solar technology in some innovative ways. Electric vehicles powered by solar energy are gaining popularity. Solar panels can charge the batteries of cars, trucks, buses, boats, trains, and even airplanes. This allows vehicles to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Some futuristic concepts involve integrating solar cells into roads and sidewalks. As solar road panels get driven over, they can produce electricity to power streetlights and traffic signals. Trials of solar roadways are underway in several countries.

Solar power is also being tapped to meet the energy needs of various modes of public transportation. Solar panels can be mounted on top of train cars, station rooftops, and depot parking lots to generate electricity. Even cargo ships are starting to incorporate solar sails to harness power from the sun and wind while at sea.

Solar Gadgets

In addition to large-scale solar applications, solar technology has enabled the creation of many convenient gadgets and devices powered by the sun. Some popular solar gadgets include:

Solar Chargers

Portable solar chargers allow people to charge their phones, tablets, and other devices while on the go, without needing access to the electrical grid. Small, folding solar panels can provide enough energy to fully charge a phone battery pack in 2-3 hours of direct sunlight. Solar chargers are useful for camping, hiking, music festivals, and other outdoor activities.

Solar Cooking

Solar cookers use reflective materials to concentrate sunlight into a small cooking area. This heat energy can be used to cook food without any electricity or fuel. Solar ovens are especially useful in developing regions without easy access to stoves or fuel sources. Families can cook using free energy from the sun.

Solar-Powered Lighting

Small solar panels can also provide electricity to power LED lights. Solar-powered lighting is beneficial for rural or off-grid regions without electrical infrastructure. Portable solar lanterns and lamps allow people to light their homes or walk safely at night. Solar lighting systems are clean, renewable alternatives to kerosene lamps.

Space Applications

Solar power has become integral to space exploration and development. Solar panels on satellites and spacecraft provide electricity for power, communications, instruments and controls. Without solar, satellites and missions beyond Earth’s orbit would not be possible, since solar power is the most practical and abundant energy source in space.

The International Space Station relies on solar arrays that span over 240 feet to continuously provide electricity while orbiting the Earth. Expandable solar arrays can unfold in space to capture even more energy. Future space stations and habitats on the Moon and Mars are likely to utilize solar as well.

The next frontier for solar may be space-based solar power satellites that could wirelessly beam clean energy back to Earth. Space solar avoids weather and nighttime interruptions that limit earth-based solar farms. While launching the infrastructure is currently prohibitively expensive, space solar may become viable in the coming decades with declining launch costs.

Industrial Applications

Solar energy has several important industrial applications including solar process heating, solar desalination, and solar power for mining operations.

Solar process heating uses concentrated solar thermal technology to provide heat for industrial processes. This application allows industries like food processing, chemical production, and material treatment to harness solar energy rather than relying solely on fossil fuels for process heat. Solar process heating can work with existing heat systems and reduces operational costs and carbon emissions.

Solar desalination utilizes solar stills and solar thermal technology to evaporate and condense water for desalination. This provides clean water for industries while avoiding the high electricity costs of conventional desalination driven by fossil fuels. Solar desalination is an eco-friendly way for operations like mining to gain access to freshwater in arid regions.

Solar PV systems are also increasingly used to help power off-grid mining operations. By using solar to supplement diesel generators, mines can reduce fuel costs and their environmental footprint. Solar helps mining companies cut electricity expenditures since mines are major energy users.

Downsides of Solar

While solar energy has many benefits, there are some downsides to be aware of. One major downside is intermittency issues. Since solar panels only produce energy when the sun is shining, they suffer from intermittency problems. Solar output depends on the weather and time of day, which can make solar unpredictable. Cloudy days and nighttime mean zero solar production.

The intermittent nature of solar also creates challenges with energy storage. Effective storage technology is needed to capture surplus daytime solar generation and discharge it when the sun isn’t shining. But current storage solutions like batteries remain expensive. Until cheaper storage emerges, intermittency limits how much solar can penetrate the grid.

High upfront costs are another downside of solar. Although ongoing costs are low once solar panels are installed, the steep initial investment deters some consumers. Solar panels, inverters and installation can cost tens of thousands of dollars upfront. Loans and incentives can offset costs, but solar remains a major investment.

Future of Solar

The future looks bright for solar energy. There are constant improvements being made to solar technology that promise to make it more efficient and cost-effective.

Researchers are working on improving the efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels, enabling them to convert a greater percentage of sunlight into electricity. New materials and manufacturing techniques could boost solar cell efficiency above the current record of around 27%.

Costs for solar power are projected to continue falling over the next decade. Economies of scale, technological advances, and streamlined processes will help drive down costs. This will make solar more competitive with fossil fuels for electricity generation.

Exciting new solar technologies are being developed as well. These include solar paint that can harvest energy from infrared light, solar windows that generate power, and floating solar farms placed on bodies of water. Creative new applications like solar-powered cars, planes, and drones are also on the horizon.

With such innovations, solar is poised to play an expanding role in powering the planet in a clean and renewable manner. Its full potential is still yet to be realized.