Uses of Solar Energy: Where Can You Find It?
 Topic: solar energy uses |  Read Time: 6 mins |
 Landowner type:Independent landowners | Institutional landowners | Professional advisers |  Energy: Solar |
6th September 2024Curious about the uses of solar energy across the UK? In this article, I’ll run through all its main uses – and some may surprise you.
As a 100 per cent renewable energy source, solar power is essential to helping the UK reach net-zero limits by 2050.
You may have seen solar panels on homes or the solar farms that power the UK. But do you know how all that energy is used across the country?
From generators and calculators to pool heating and ventilation, here are some ingenious ways solar energy can power your life.
11 Main Uses of Solar Energy You Should Know About
Solar electricity
Solar electricity converts light and heat from the sun’s rays. Known as solar irradiance, this converts the heat and light into usable energy that keeps the world running.
This process usually involves photovoltaic solar panels. These panels absorb energy from the sunlight, creating charges that move in response to an electrical field in the cell.
Any electricity a home with solar panels produces but doesn’t use can be sent to the Grid to distribute.
In large-scale solar farms, this energy is sold directly to the Grid or managed by an energy off-taker. These off-takers are usually energy suppliers like EDF Energy and OVO Energy.
Solar generators
Solar generators are portable power stations that use solar panels to charge batteries. Once the batteries are charged, the generators can be used to provide energy to virtually anything that needs it.
These generators use solar panels to convert the sun’s irradiance into electricity. And unlike traditional generators, they consistently use a renewable form of energy (AKA: the sun) to charge. So, you’ll get reliable, clean energy during an emergency or while you’re camping.
While traditional gas generators are undoubtedly helpful, solar generators are typically:
- Lighter than gas generators
- Completely silent, making them highly discreet
- More cost-effective, as there are zero fuel or maintenance costs except for the cobalt found in the lithium batteries.
Solar ventilation
Solar ventilation removes hot air from homes. A typical system comprises a solar panel, a fan and a duct that helps air circulate around a house.
While they’re not commonly used, these air vents are excellent for circulating air efficiently. They also keep homes cool during warmer months and are much cheaper than air conditioning.
Water heating systems
Solar water heating systems use pumps to circulate household water through collectors. These pumps circulate a cool (but non-freezing) heat-transfer fluid through collectors and a heat exchanger. This process heats any water that flows into the home.
The solar heating system uses energy from the sun to warm this water for storage in a hot water cylinder inside the home.
To power this system, you’ll usually need to fix solar panels to the roof. But it’s almost always a cheaper alternative to gas heating.
The average household can expect to pay between £3,000 and £5,000 to install a solar water heating system. But beyond that point, it’s a cost-effective way to provide reliable (and environmentally friendly) hot water to the home.
Solar batteries
Solar battery storage systems store the excess energy that solar panels produce. This is incredibly useful for most solar farms, as solar irradiation can be unreliable.
By storing the power to use year-round, a solar project can save its energy for the leaner months while the sun is shining brightly.
You can also purchase portable solar power banks that charge your devices on the go. These battery banks use the sun’s rays to charge up and typically connect to devices via a USB wire. They’re a great alternative to regular power banks if you’re going camping or travelling. This is because they don’t require an electrical connection to charge up.
Solar umbrellas
You may not have heard of solar umbrellas, but they’re an excellent invention to have in a garden during the evenings.
These solar light umbrellas block overbearing sunlight during the day by capturing its irradiance. They then use this captured sunlight to light your sitting area in the evening.
They don’t require charging or any kind of external power source. So, these LED devices are a great option for eco-friendly consumers looking to maximise sunlight and save on energy consumption.
Heating swimming pools
Using solar energy to heat swimming pools virtually eliminates fuel costs, and they can last an impressive 20 years with no maintenance. Installers can offer excellent warranties of up to 10 years, and the systems can be placed on the roof or ground, depending on the available space.
These heated pools are far more common in homes across the USA, but you may have taken a dip in one of them on holiday. For example, solar pool heating is relatively popular in Spain and is often used at spots like Costa Blanca to keep resorts warm during the off-peak months.
Security cameras
Solar panel security cameras are often more reliable than traditional models – these cameras require no wiring and are waterproof, adjustable and flexible. They usually offer 24/7 connections and can harness sunlight during the day to operate seamlessly at night.
Solar calculators
While they may seem like a new-age invention to Gen-Z, solar-powered calculators have been around since 1976. The first solar calculator, the Sharp EL-8026, used solar power to charge.
Although this only applied to regular calculators, solar-powered scientific calculators hit the market in 1982, much to the delight of students everywhere.
Solar watches
Solar wearables first burst onto the scene in 1972 when Roger Riehl released the first solar-powered timepiece. He named it the Synchronar 2100. The watch had an angular body and displayed the time using LED lights. While it was hard to read, the battery never died as it ran entirely on solar power.
Since the initial surge of solar-powered watches back in the 1970s and 1980s, the technology (and fashionability) of these gadgets have only improved. In fact, you can still find solar-powered timepieces from world-renowned designers like Tissot, Cartier, and Seiko that look far more stylish than the old-school Synchronar 2100.
Solar EV charging
Although it’s still relatively new, solar EV charging uses solar energy from your home to charge electric vehicles.
You’ll need to set up a domestic photovoltaic system that connects to a charging port, which is typically outside the home. This should reduce a home’s reliance on Grid power and keep a hybrid or fully electric car chugging along.
There You Have It: A Comprehensive List of Uses for Solar Energy That Might Surprise You
If you want to expand your use of solar energy or start a solar project on your land, contact the Lumify Energy team.
We know that wrapping your head around a new solar project can be difficult. From option agreements to maintenance during the project’s life, we offer a helping hand to make the process easier. We’ll even work through your lease, highlight questionable terms and make sure you’re receiving fair compensation for your acreage.
