Solar energy is providing a significant form of clean renewable energy for the future. Solar thermal power plants are becoming cost-effective renewable power technologies and are expected to have increased emphasis as this technology develops. Thermon Australia has a full range of heat trace technologies and engineering expertise to provide the heating requirements for any solar related application.
Solar energy can be converted to electricity in two ways:
- Solar Thermal Power Plants generate electricity when heat from solar thermal collectors is used to heat a fluid which produces steam that is used to produce electric power;and
- Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” – change sunlight directly into electricity. PV systems can be residential or large scale generating stations, and may be used in remote locations not connected to an electric grid.
Solar thermal power concentrates heat from the sun. This is done by heating oil which is in turn used to produce steam:
- Oil is heated to a high temperature before being heated by the gathered solar energy to produce steam.
- Molten salt then needs to be maintained at a certain temperature to keep it from solidifying;and
- Freeze protection is required on all steam and cooling water piping.
A full list of recommended Thermon products suitable for Solar Thermal Power applications can be found online.
Photovoltaic cells directly convert sunlight into electricity. Electrons in the cells gain energy when they are heated by sunlight. This in turn generates DC power which is converted into AC power for distribution:
- Photovoltaic cells are produced from raw material called polysilicon. Polysilicon production plants use water for cooling along with other chemicals to control by products.
A full list of recommended Thermon products suitable for Solar Thermal Power applications can be found online.
