While the benefits of converting to Palmdale solar power are seemingly limitless, many people may not know what you can actually use solar power to do. Depending on the size and setup of your solar power system, there are various ways it can be put to use. There are two general kinds of solar energy: solar thermal energy and solar photovoltaic energy. Thermal energy systems use water to collect the sun’s heat, while photovoltaic systems harness the sun’s radiation and convert it into electricity that is usable for the home. Below are the different uses of the two solar energy systems. 

Solar Photovoltaic Systems 
These are the larger systems that are usually seen on rooftops of homes or businesses. Companies such as Palmdale Solar Power install these systems, and they use a large amount, often called a “grid” of solar panels to collect as much solar energy from the sun as possible. Since these systems are larger and can produce more electricity, they are usually used to reduce or even eliminate the energy costs for a home or business. Many warehouses and factories are now installing these photovoltaic systems to offset their burdening monthly energy expenses. 

Portable Photovoltaic Systems
These are the most basic, smaller solar energy systems. They can be seen in everyday life, depending on where you live. Solar powered calculators use them, as do solar lights along walkways or in gardens, some appliances, many traffic lights, emergency phones along roadways. Since they are both smaller and portable, they collect less energy and generate less electricity than more extensive systems. However, though basic in nature, they are equally effective for their purposes. These portable systems power to remote areas that are long distances from larger power sources, such as the emergency phones seen along highways. 

Solar Thermal Energy Solar
Thermal energy systems collect energy from the sun using either water or glycol. These systems vary in size, and they can be as basic as supplying heat for the water in your pool or pond, or as extensive as heating all of the water for your house and hot water tank. Most systems can raise temperatures from below ten degrees (Fahrenheit) to above eighty degrees. Solar thermal systems for the house are called closed loop systems, where piping circulates water through a self-enclosed system. Systems for the pool or pond are open loop systems, since they circulate water back into the pool or pond.