4
1.0 SOLAR ENERGY EXPLAINED
1.1 Why Solar?
With ever rising fossil fuel costs, renewable energy is the way forward for both domestic and commercial
premises. The energy from the sun is free, abundant in supply and available throughout the year. There is a
general misconception that Ireland and the UK do not have adequate solar energy for systems to be efficient.
Energy gain from the sun is defined as irradiance and believe it or not, parts of Ireland and the UK have the
equivalent values to Paris or 60% of that of the equator. However, the level is not consistent all year round, with
levels varying significantly between summer and winter.
Diagram 1.1 below, illustrates the availability of solar energy versus fossil fuels annually and also highlights the
world energy consumption per year. It is evident that the annual worldwide energy consumption is just a tiny
fraction of the solar energy incident on the earth.
Just some of the benefits of a solar water heating system:
•
Savings
- A Firebird solar heating system can cut your heating bills by up to 90% in the
summer and up to 30% in the winter, on average this equates to approximately 50-70%
reduction in your hot water heating costs annually.
•
Environment
- Households create almost 30% of all CO2 emitted in Ireland and the UK. As a
result of installing a Firebird solar collector, the emission of CO2 into the earth’s atmosphere
is reduced by approximately 1 tonne.
•
Energy Independence
- With decreasing reserves of fossil fuels and increasing reliance on
distant suppliers, you and your family will be cushioned from future fuel shortages and price
increases.
•
Boiler Maintenance
- There is less wear and tear on your boiler.
•
Building Energy Rating (BER) (SAP for the UK)
-
The addition of a solar water heating system
can have a dramatic impact on your BER/SAP, leading to an increase in house value.
•
Building Regulations
-
With new building regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions
from new buildings, a solar water heating system is an ideal solution for providing easy Part L
energy compliance.
Wind energy
Photosynthesis
Usable hydroelectric power
Coal reserves
Uranium reserves
Oil reserves
Gas reserves
The world’s annual energy consumption
Energy reserves
Annual solar energy
Figure 1.1
Annual solar energy
on the earth
Source: REIA
SOLAR ENERGY EXPLAINED
