| |
Solar energy can be divided into two general types. The type most people are already familiar with is photo voltaic (PV) energy collected from solar electrical panels. These panels convert the sun’s thermal energy into electricity which can then be stored for energy use, used to partially meet the home’s electrical needs, or sold back to the utility company through net metering. But wait, why convert the sun’s thermal energy to electricity? Why not just use thermal energy as thermal energy? Well, the answer to this simply question is a bit complex; not complicated to understand, just complex in that there a several variable to consider.
There are several factors which have delay the full-scale deployment of solar thermal technology in American homes. First, many people simply don’t realize how practical these systems are and how much better then perform on a return on investment basis than any other solar technology. Second, they usually don’t blend well with urban and suburban environments and are not designed with architectural constraints that limit their suitability to most neighborhoods. And third, the components are often ‘over-priced’ based on market availability and a lack of competition-based and mass-production based cost structuring. In short, the products have followed a ‘what-market-will-bear’ price strategy which keeps the prices much higher than what they should be based on the cost of manufacturing and distribution. Our philosophy at BAUSA-solar is to price items on a ‘value-added’ basis which effectively lowers the prices rather dramatically for many devices.
Our new thermowell temperature sensors are example of this strategy. They both fill a niche not covered well by other manufacturers and they are priced lower than similar products mass produced. We believe strongly that this latter factor is a significant hindrance to the wide-scale application of solar thermal technology and hope to stimulate a little more competitive pricing as well as to help individual homeowners benefit for adding solar thermal systems to their homes. And of course, our planet benefits as well as fewer and fewer people rely strictly on carbon-based fuels to meet their heating demands.
|
