Outside House Solar Panels

Outside The House - PV Solar Modules / Solar Panels / National Grid

Looking up at the roof, you can see two different panels on the roof. Which one does what?

Solar Electricity
The solar electricity industry now uses MORE silicon than the computer industry. Last year was the first time this has ever occurred. (Very exciting fact!). The industry is currently growing at 35% a year in size (very rapid growth). Any ideas why?
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Is it economic to heat water or the air using electricity generated by solar electricity? If not, why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What would be a better way to heat water / air / food etc? __________________________________________________________________
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So if you aren’t heating water / air / food with solar electricity what can you use it for???……………………………………………………………………………………………
What are some of the appliances (business and family use) that the house provides electricity for so Simon, his family and his employees can work productively ? __________________________________________________________________
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When Simon first set up his old house http://www.cope.org.nz/sunpower/ back in March 1994, he had a large battery bank where he stored the electricity generated by the solar electric modules each day. Why does he not need this anymore with his new house?
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What would the advantages be to having a small battery bank at his house now? __________________________________________________________________
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Rainwater.
Have a look at Simon’s gutter downpipes.
* Where do they all go to? Why do you think he has done that?
* What could he now do with the water when he builds stage 2 of his house?

Solar Hot Water
In summer the sun produces more than enough hotwater and in winter not enough… What could Simon do with the excess hotwater in the summer months?
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What could he use to boost the temperature of the hot water in those winter months? __________________________________________________________________
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Why doesn’t Simon just have more solar hot water panels on the roof to give him enough hotwater in winter?

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Solar Electric Modules
* Why is a solar electric roof tile (that generates electricity) better than putting separate solar electric modules onto an existing roof?
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