Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy that continuously radiates onto the earth during daylight hours. It is environmentally clean and does not create additional waste or emissions into nature. It can be captured anywhere on earth and used practically anywhere – in summer houses, homes, offices, etc. for the production of electricity and hot water. Efficient solar energy collection occurs on sunny days. On cloudy days, the available solar energy will be lower.
In recent years, demand for the use of solar energy has increased thanks to rising energy resource prices and falling prices of solar energy collection equipment. Solar energy has the potential to become the most important energy source.
Solar energy is a very safe energy source from an investment perspective, as its disappearance is not predicted in the foreseeable future, and this type of energy will become the main energy source thanks to its potential and advantages. It is important that solar batteries or solar collectors have practically no maintenance and servicing costs.
The intensity of solar radiation depends on geographic location, season and climatic weather conditions. Solar energy can also be used when the sun is not shining at all, as global radiation consists of direct and diffuse radiation. In Latvia, the annual solar energy radiation on a horizontal surface is 1000-1200 kWh/m2, depending on geographic location. The average annual solar radiation in Riga is higher than in Berlin (Germany), where solar energy production is a very popular energy source.
The number of users of solar energy systems is increasing every year. People choose the solutions most suitable for them to prepare hot water or produce electricity. By the 2014 summer season, SIA Commodus had carried out approximately 80 solar system installations of varying complexity and equipment deliveries on the territory of Latvia.
If solar energy is cheaper and much more sustainable than the coal-powered power plants currently in use, why haven't we made the switch? Unfortunately, one culprit is the enormous clouds that sometimes cover solar energy equipment for anything from days to weeks. Active solutions are being sought for these and other problems, many of which have already been incorporated into modern solar technologies. How solar panels and solar towers work – you'll find answers to these questions in this short video animation.