| IF you are considering the conversion of your | | | | collector plate, it heats the fluid that passes |
| home power source to solar power there are | | | | through the tubing. Then as water passes through |
| other interior adjustments that need to be made | | | | the tubes, it enters a storage tank for holding. |
| allowing for the power conversion, particularly in | | | | This tank is well insulated enabling water to |
| regards to your appliances. When heating your | | | | maintain its temperature longer before entering |
| water source with solar power, you may need to | | | | the home. |
| purchase a solar powered water heater for this | | | | There are two types of solar water heating |
| purpose. It is possible to convert some modern | | | | systems, active and passive. An active system |
| heaters into solar power but regardless of the | | | | relies on pumps to move water between the |
| needed investment it is well worth your efforts. | | | | collector plate and the storage tank. This is the |
| There is a multitude of ways to heat water | | | | most popular system and is the most efficient of |
| through the utilization of solar power. Some even | | | | the two. A passive system relies on gravity to |
| develop their own solar power source. Before | | | | feed the water through the system which can be |
| entering your home water must travel through a | | | | sometimes slower than the demand of the water. |
| series of pipes with a solar source from attracted | | | | The angle of the plate collector and storage tank |
| sun light. A water storage tank can be used to | | | | must be angled appropriately for the passive |
| heat the water. To create hot water you will | | | | system to operate at capacity. |
| need a storage tank and a solar collector. | | | | Using solar power to heat water is quite |
| A common solar power collection system involves | | | | affordable and can be easily installed. This method |
| the flat plate collector, a thin rectangular box with | | | | of water heating is a great way to contribute to |
| a transparent cover that is able to carry fluid for | | | | environmental preservation. We are learning many |
| heating. This may be water itself or a solution to | | | | ways that solar power can assist us around our |
| keep water from freezing. Water then moves to | | | | homes. |
| a heat attracting absorber plate. With a hot | | | | |