Solar Energy ArticlesSolar Panels - Solar Thermal Vs. Photovoltaic We live in a world with limited resources that cause the generation of power possible. Hence we are constantly trying to find out greener ways in order to cause the generation of electricity possible. Hence in an effort to find out the greener way of life, only one answer, and that too an obvious one hits our minds i.e. solar energy. But it is not always true even though it seems as if the solar panel installation has undue benefits. There are a large amount of solar panels being manufactured. But the manufacturing of the solar panels itself has made is forcibly burn out large quantities of fossil fuels in the production process. Disposal of waste materials also poses a problem and hence a threat to the environment. Mercury and chromium are out of the two most toxic substances. Hence we need to excavate better options so that there are alternative ways available for the solar panel manufacturing. There are two types of solar panels in the industry – one is the solar thermal and the other one is the solar photovoltaic (PV systems). Photovoltaic systems make possible the conversion of sunlight directly into electricity. Hence it could be used in order to supplement the electricity that is supplied by the grid. Solar thermal panels on the other hand harness the heat of the sun in order to be suitable for the applications like heating water in the water systems. However, the installation process for both of them is absolutely same. The only thing is that the solar panels based upon the thermal radiation because a replacement to the electricity and natural gas used for heating water. This is a dedicated purpose of solar energy since the thermal solar panels fail when it comes to the lighting of an electricity bulb or moving a fan! Hence many companies who had acquired licenses to be in the business of the thermal based solar panels are not moving into the healthier option for the environment by changing their line of business to the solar panels using photovoltaic systems. This will also cause a less severe damage due to the wastes generated because in the waste generated by the thermal solar panels can cause the birds and animals adverse effects which also may result in their death. This is due to the increase in the salinity of the water bodies in which these wastes are disposed off. Solar panels based on photovoltaic systems are far better than the ones based on thermal. The main advantage is the careful usage of the priced and much cherished water resources. There is also an additional amount of electricity that is put to use in the systems which cause the manufacturing of solar panels via the thermal technology. They equip a lot of resources for water cooling and steam cycles. This makes use of air condensers in the form of huge air conditioners. There is a huge parasitic load that is offered to these cooling systems which further adds to the burden of the environment. When we switch to the photovoltaic systems, we make usage of a fewer land resources too. There is a possibility to use a significantly lesser number of resources in spite of causing same amount of production. The same amount of land is capable of putting much more electricity generation and supplying it to the electricity grid. Hence the good news for the environmental enthusiasts is that the solar thermal technology of the solar panels is gradually losing out on the market as compared to the photovoltaic systems. Hence a right choice can determine the best thing that can be made available to our very dear and delicate environment. Related articles
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