Description

Natural resources that are constantly renewed include sunlight, wind, tides, and geothermal heat. The majority of renewable energy sources are inexpensive to operate but rather expensive to construct since they need to gather energy that is widely dispersed and concentrate it into a usable form. Solar thermal panels are capable of capturing the heat from solar radiation. These panels use solar energy to heat water by absorbing it from the sun. In the UK, solar water heating systems are the most widely used solar energy source. Solar water heating systems cannot help with central heating, but they can often supply more than half of a household's hot water needs annually. The flow of water and wind, the heat and light of the sun are all renewable resources. The book discusses a variety of solar radiation, heat transfer components, solar collectors, and solar collector applications. Along with the effects of energy production and consumption on the environment, it also includes chapters on energy from biomass and biogas digesters, solar power generation and its applications, and wind energy.