There is a very good chance you’ve heard the phrase ‘solar power’. But do you know just how powerful a source of energy the sun is? In just 1 hour, the amount of energy from the sun that hits the Earth is more than the entire world consumes in a year. Because of this almost unlimited source of energy, the way we harness the sun’s power has gone from fully utilitarian approaches like saving money; all the way to creative and innovative inventions that utilise solar energy. With the cost of solar panels declining by approximately 80% since 2008, and the global solar market growing by 41% in 2018, one thing is clear – solar power is here to stay. With solar power becoming a mainstream source of power, here are 3 unconventional ways that the power of the sun is being used.
1. Solar Powered Lighting
While solar powered lighting may not be the most unconventional use of the sun’s energy, it has become so valuable in 2019 that the concept would have seemed alien a few decades ago. Typically a solar light consist of an LED lamp, a solar panel or panels, a battery, a solar charge controller and maybe an inverter. The size of the battery varies according to where and how the lamp is being used with the solar panel(s) being used to charge the battery via the charge controller. Many people mistakenly think that cloudy periods mean a solar powered light is useless however the energy stored in the battery can run the light for many nights even when the sun isn’t shining. As an additional benefit Solar lamps may also be used for mobile phone charging. With solar power offering the potential to replace traditional electricity, it isn’t just local councils that can use solar power for lighting, many businesses are also showing interest in solar lighting to reduced energy costs and enable a more sustainable footprint. According to the business loan team at Max Funding, an Australian small business funding company, businesses have increasingly shown interest in solar-powered gadgets throughout 2019, saying that “environmentally friendly alternatives are growing in popularity. People are willing to pay a premium for it and businesses are starting to ride this wave. This has the flow on effect of helping families and businesses who may actually reduce power bills while making sustainable choices”.
2. Solar Powered Smart Rubbish Bins.
Smart bins provide data for councils and businesses to maximise efficiencies and improve public health. Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) are collaborating with Street Furniture Australia and Sydney’s Georges River Council to gather evidence on how smart cities can benefit social health through improved public spaces. This grant project is funded through the federal government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program and is entitled Smart Social Spaces: Smart Street Furniture Supporting Social Health. “With bins, there’s already a significant amount of technology available. Sensors inside bins are able to detect how full it is, letting garbage contractors know when they need to pick it up. It can also be fitted with a heat sensor to alert emergency services in case of a fire,” Dr Nancy Marshall, Senior Lecturer in City Planning at UNSW observed. These solar-powered rubbish compactors can be seen on the streets of big cities including Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hamburg, New York and Stockholm. Similarly, solar power is being used for other street and garden purposes. According to the team at Cessnock Tank Works, a water tank provider in NSW, solar-powered garden technology is increasing in popularity, saying that “organisations are looking to minimise their carbon footprint. One commonly requested solar device is solar powered water pumps. As this technology advances, equipment becomes even more versatile and will be seen in even more commercial environments”.
3. Solar Powered Cookers
Solar cookers are able to heat, cook or pasteurize food by using direct sunlight. These devices may seem futuristic, but are relatively cost-effective. With the most advanced models able to prepare food for many people, businesses are now seeing the value – not just to reduce carbon emissions but to save on fuel costs too. Largely conducted outdoors, solar cooking devices can come in many forms, including curved concentrator cookers, solar ovens and panel cookers. How do they work? Curved concentrator cookers rely on a mirrored surface with high reflectivity to concentrate sunlight. This concentrated solar power can produce temperatures high enough to bake and grill/sear.
Final Thoughts
Investing in solar energy along with other renewable sources is a must to ensure clean and more efficient energy for all. According to the team at Mark Rogerson Glass, a commercial glass services company, solar panels are an economical way to achieve a modern design, saying that “solar panels give a look similar to tinted glass. More property owners have been requesting solar panels as it’s a goodblend of environmental friendliness and stunning visuals”. Solar is renewable and for all intents and purposes an endless source of power producing energy for billions of years to come.
There are a wide range of solar power systems available and you can find the right one to fit your energy requirements. Looking for solar power installation in Gympie, Brisbane or Sunshine Coast? Then contact us todayAuthor Bio: Victor Clark is a freelance writer. He is a university student based in Sydney. A BusinessAdministration student, Victor is also fond of traveling. When not at his desk, he enjoys becoming a tourist in his own city.
The business owners of SunWorks Solar, Mike and Pete, are hands on all the way through the process, from initial meetings, system designs and recommendations, through to installation and handover. Mike, Pete and their team really care about their work and we found them to have the best integrity. We found that their recommendations were totally designed to deliver a system that met our needs, property location & roofing orientation and to our budget. We spent hours and hours researching and getting quotes, 100% satisfied and so glad with the end result. Hughes thanks to Mike, Pete and their team.
Damian
Very professional and responsive to all questions. Competitive and a prompt and quality install. A seamless efficient end to end service. The whole team was a pleasure to deal with throughout.
Very professional
From the initial contact, Mike’s communication was excellent. He spent approximately 30 minutes over the phone discussing options before sending a detailed quote with extensive product information attached. After making a decision, Mike was quick to make an appointment for assessment and the following week the solar system was installed. Pete and his crew were very professional, knowledgeable and courteous. I highly recommend The Sun Works as the company on the coast for solar advice and installation. I have complete confidence in The Sun Works delivering quality advice and workmanship in future.
Lisa - Sunshine Coast
Mike and his team were AMAZING! super friendly and so efficient! Cant wait to start seeing little to no power bills!! Highly recommend Sunworks for anyone looking to get solar! Thanks guys!
Lauren - Yandina
Had a great experience with these guys. Was looking in to solar and I found sun works solar were the only people who explained it so I could understand. They were quick and efficient on the install. Gladly recommend them to anyone.
Sam - Bli Bli
Not a single thing i’d have different about my experience with The SunWorks Solar, I dealt with 4 people during the purchase and installation of my Solar System and each person was knowledgeable, passionate and very helpful. These guys get teamwork. Since having my system installed, I’m now monitoring my power usage on my phone and I can already see the savings stacking up! I wish I could have signed up earlier. Thanks SunWorks Team!
Ray Williams
Mike and team have been the best solar guys ever. Great communication and lives up to all promises.
Lives up to all promises
Extremely happy with all aspects of the service that Mike, Peter & their team offer right from initial quoting through to install & support to help us understand using our system. I looked into many companies before choosing The Sun Works Solar & no others compared to their professionalism & quality of service provided. To have the install team as one of the partners, rather than contracted out to others, further ensures the quality of their work as well as the support should any issues come up in the future. I would not hesitate to recommend them to family & friends & have so already!
Thanks again Mike, Peter & The Sun Works team.
S Lowe
From quotation through to design and installation, Sunworks were professional, easy to deal with and delivered a quality product and install. Everything working as planned and being completely off grid and able to use an 8.5kw air con now is bliss. Thanks Mike and Peter. Top job and happy to recommend your services and company to anyone looking for that quality/value proposition.
Glenn - Belli Park
The guys at The Sunworks Solar Centres, really know their stuff & their professionalism is 2nd to none! I went in with an unusual request, to help me set up a solar light system for my stables. Wow🙌🏽 These guys are amazing!!! My stables are now fully lit using a solar light system I had designed but could never of succeeded without The Sunworks Solar Centres help. Thanks guys, you have blown me away!!!! I totally recommend these guys to everyone
Had a great experience with these guys. Was looking in to solar and I found sun works solar were the only people who explained it so I could understand. They were quick and efficient on the install. Gladly recommend them to anyone.
Sam - Bli Bli
Great people to deal with. Very conservative with their estimate didn’t over promise, over delivered on service and the installation team were professional and their workmanship was completed to a very high untouchable standard. Highly recommend!!!!!
D Isaacs - Sunshine Coast
Mike and his team were AMAZING! super friendly and so efficient! Cant wait to start seeing little to no power bills!! Highly recommend Sunworks for anyone looking to get solar! Thanks guys!
Lauren - Yandina
Mike and team have been the best solar guys ever. Great communication and lives up to all promises.
Lives up to all promises
The guys at The Sunworks Solar Centres, really know their stuff & their professionalism is 2nd to none! I went in with an unusual request, to help me set up a solar light system for my stables. Wow🙌🏽 These guys are amazing!!! My stables are now fully lit using a solar light system I had designed but could never of succeeded without The Sunworks Solar Centres help. Thanks guys, you have blown me away!!!! I totally recommend these guys to everyone
Professionalism is 2nd to none
the most helpful and professional service I have experienced with any industry on the Sunny Coast. The team at Maroochydore SunWorks Solar really know their business and know how to treat customers. If I could give 6 stars I would have.. they deserve it! A huge thank you to Mike, Peter and John.
Roy Scholz
Great local team, Peter, Mike and Wayne at Sunworks. Very professional, comprehensive product knowledge, explain systems well, high quality system, very neat install. Couldn’t, recommend them enough. Had some issues with electricity provider, they went above and beyond to resolve. D. Price
Great local team
Having spent several months researching possible solar options for our new Sunshine Coast home we quickly learned exactly what it was we wanted to install, but the next piece in the puzzle, finding the right company with the best price and service options to back it up was far more challenging. With lots of companies happy to take your money but not necessarily happy to work with you to refine your selections and therefore your needs, we were thrilled to discover the sincerity and professionalism offered to us by Sunworks Solar. Our sales professional, Wayne, and his side kick Mike were always available to answer questions and nothing was ever too much trouble. Peter and his installation team were stunning. Despite a showery day and several interruptions, our job was completed and the final outcome was stunning – everything was so neat, so well thought through, so perfectly planned, so concisely explained. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate solar solution, we believe you won’t do better than Sunworks Solar in Maroochydore, a genuinely reliable company in a sea of uncertainty and hype.
Linley - Bli Bli
From quotation through to design and installation, Sunworks were professional, easy to deal with and delivered a quality product and install. Everything working as planned and being completely off grid and able to use an 8.5kw air con now is bliss. Thanks Mike and Peter. Top job and happy to recommend your services and company to anyone looking for that quality/value proposition.
Glenn - Belli Park
Very professional and responsive to all questions. Competitive and a prompt and quality install. A seamless efficient end to end service. The whole team was a pleasure to deal with throughout.
Very professional
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