PV Gap

Roberto Said:

Does anyone know if it is possible to power an electric fireplace & blower with only solar energy?

We Answered:

Yes, it is possible even if it has heating elements. It sounds as if the Electric Fireplace has an electric heating element and a blower fan.

The higher the kilowatt rating of the connected load; the higher the cost to purchase and install a solar system to supply it.

A 50 watt system with Photo Voltaic module, batteries, controller, and invertor costs about $700.

A 600 watt system with Photo Voltaic module, batteries, controller, and invertor costs about $8,000.

Here is a good site which will further explain solar power.

http://www.speciesatrisk2004.ca/designin…

Good Luck.

Albert Said:

How electricity can be produced by using 1) Hydro-electric power 2) Nuclear energy 3) Solar energy?

We Answered:

Hydroelectric, Nuclear, Thermal Solar, Geothermal, Tidal and Wind, and Biomass all have a final electrical output that stems from the conversion of rotational work to electrical energy, i.e. a generator utilizing moving a conductor perpendicular to a magnetic field. The matter is how this comes about

Hydroelectric - Head pressure from the water behind a dam directed into a water turbine to turn the generator
Nuclear - Fission heats the water in a reactor coolant loop, which in turn heats the water in a steam loop via a Steam Generator (big heat exchanger), and the steam is directed into a steam turbine to turn a generator
Thermal Solar - The heat from the sun is directed by mirrors to heat a thermal oil, or a volitile hydrocarbon, in a closed loop thermal storage system. This heat is transferred to a water loop where steam is produced and directed to turn a steam turbine. There are also hydrogen engines but I've never worked with that technology yet
Geothermal - uses the heat from within the earth in wells of hot water to heat a water loop, or isopentane loop, and the vapors from one of those loops is directed to a turbine to turn a generator
Wind - wind blows, turns the turbine, turns the generator
Tidal - Both the inward and outward tide are harnesses to utilize the moving water to turn a turbine and, thus, the generator
Biomass - The burning of waste wood and organic matter to produce heat which heats water to produce steam which is directed to a steam turbine to turn a generator

Photovoltaic Solar - Utilized specialized material, much like semi-conductors, to convert light to electricity.

6 means to produce a voltage:
magnetic - generators, both AC and DC
chemical - batteries
pressure (change in pressure) - piezoelectric crystals
temperature - thermocouples
friction - static electricity, lightning rods
light - photovoltaic cells