Unusual Places for Solar Energy Usage
It cannot be denied that there has been a vast expansion in regard to the usage of solar panels as well as battery storage across the United States. There has also been an immense boom in California solar usage as well.
In fact, the reality is that there is an augmentation in regard to the solar panels being placed on the top of roofs. However, it is noted that this is only one of the many locations where there is the usage of solar panels for the generation of solar power.
Due to the cost of the installation of solar power solutions decreasing tremendously and the increase of the production of solar energy gaining momentum, there is the great anticipation that likely there will be the implementation of a great assortment of locations where there will be the usage of solar technology, which will result in the provision of high quality electricity that is cost-effective..
Therefore, it is interesting to consider four unique locations that implement the usage of solar technology at this time.
Implementing solar windows
There is the usage of cells that are photovoltaic, which are applied to windows in order to provide an increase in the level of the efficiency of energy that is used by buildings within the commercial sector.
The implementation of novel technology in regard to solar electric windows permits the transmission of natural light to penetrate via the panels of glass — at the same time, there is the collection of rays that are invisible which are part of the sunlight and such rays then undergo being converted into electricity that is usable and efficient.
Such applications are noted as being in the phase of exploration. Yet, the reality is that companies are formulating technology that provides practicality, as the technology is applied to glass sheets in order to empower windows of buildings in the commercial sector to have multiple functionalities, which are providing light and power.
Implementing surfaces powered by solar for vehicles
Though in many cities of the United States there do exist for electric cars a wide array of charging stations which are powered by solar, there is the application of solar technology directly being implemented into the surface of some vehicles.
There was the provision of a solar panel for the rooftop of the Toyota Prius of 2010. Yet, it is noted that the electricity that was produced was only enough to provide functionality for the climate control system of the vehicle. It is acknowledged that there is the manufacturing of a version of this vehicle that is being updated in Japan.
There is the linking of the solar panel now right to the battery of the vehicle. As a result, this has caused the efficiency of the electrical system to improve. This has been a major step of progression when considering the technology for solar sunroofs that had been created in the 1980s, which then had produced better ventilation for the vehicle.
Implementing the usage of vaccine refrigerators
There has been much improvement in regard to the technology that is applied to vaccine refrigeration that is powered by solar efforts. The configurations of this technology have become truly highly efficient and these refrigerators are noted as being simpler to move around.
Moreover, they now have the captivity to create ice. When there is no guarantee of regular electricity in many developing nations and with the reality that there is often the lack of an electrical grid, vaccine refrigeration is truly necessary.
In fact, those regions where there is the placement of an electrical grid tend to experience poor quality infrastructure. This then results in the occurrence of outages of power on a daily basis or almost. Because private agencies have engaged in the creation of vaccine refrigerators that are powered by solar energy, this has empowered healthcare workers to be able to distribute vital mediation to the critically ill in areas that are remote. As a result, many lives have been saved for over forty years because of this type of technology.
Implementing smart solar cities
In the evening, street lights are able to operate as a result of sunlight. Moreover, some cities have street lights that are linked to sensors and cameras that are internet-based, which empower the street lights to have even more capabilities.
In fact, most urban areas are now applying a wide usage of street lights that are powered by solar technology. During the day, there is the charging of a battery by the sun in order to permit the street lights to function during the night.
It is noted that now it is common to use mostly LED lights. As a result, cities, such as San Diego, are currently implementing the usage of street lights that are powered by solar energy for the sake of ensuring the optimization of the infrastructure of the city.
There has been the development of the Smart City San Diego Initiative, which involves the applying of sensors to street lights in order to provide direction to drivers to indicate which parking spaces are open.
In addition, these sensors are able to aid those who serve as first responders when there is the occurrence of an emergency. Both money and time are saved when there is the combination of street lights that are powered by solar efforts and sensors that are linked to the internet.
