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Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIRenew)
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Renewable Energy Options


Solar
For information on solar energy in local communities, visit the Cape & Islands Energy Information Clearinghouse.

There are three main types of solar energy: photovoltaics, solar thermal heating, and passive solar heating and daylighting.

Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar cells make electricity from sunlight. They are generally composed of semiconducting material that releases electrons when sunlight hits it. Individual PV cells can be connected together to make systems designed to produce any amount of power, from one cell that can power a calculator to a few panels that can power a house to huge, utility-scale arrays. PV panels require almost no maintenance because they have no moving parts, and most come with decades-long guarantees. While they are expensive to install, they can pay for themselves based on saved energy costs.

Northeastern University's Ell Student Center using PV to supplement its power in Boston.
Northeastern University's Ell Student Center using PV to supplement its power in Boston.

Solar Thermal Heating
Sunlight contains thermal (heat) energy. This energy can be used to heat water, air, or a working fluid. Heated water and air are most often used directly but can be used to power other energy systems. Working fluids are used either as a way to transfer heat to water or air, or they are used to drive turbine/generators to produce electricity. Solar thermal systems are most often seen as black boxes on rooftops that heat water for use in homes, but they also exist as large power plants that use hundreds of mirrors to concentrate sunlight to produce electricity. Solar thermal domestic hot water and pool heating systems can generate a rapid return on investment.

Passive Solar Heating
The Impact 2000 house use building integrated PV and thermal plus passive solar.
The Impact 2000 house uses building-integrated PV and solar thermal plus passive solar.
Buildings can be designed to use sunlight as a source of heat. They have large windows on the south side of the building and very few windows on the north. The windows allow sunlight to come in and warm the interior of the building. The most efficient designs have overhangs that allow the sunlight to shine in during winter months, when it is lower in the sky, but block the sun in the summer, when it is higher. Materials can be used for the walls and floors inside the building that absorb the sunlight’s heat during the day and slowly release it through the night.
    Sunlight can also be used to meet lighting needs. Natural daylighting cuts down on electricity use and, by decreasing reliance on incandescent light bulbs that generate heat, can help reduce air conditioner use.

Images from National Renewable Energy Laboratory

   
For questions or information, please contact the following:

Programs & Events
(Events page)

Virginia Ryan
Housing Assistance Corp.
508.771.5400

Membership
(Membership page; Membership form)

Joan Muller
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
508.457.0495 x107

Objectives & Activities
(Activities page)

Chris Powicki
Water Energy & Ecology Information Services
508.362.9599

To join the electronic mailing list for future events:

Richard Lawrence
Cape Cod Community
College
rlawrence@capecod.edu

Questions should be directed to these individuals. Mail should be directed to
CIRenew
c/o Cape & Islands Self-Reliance
23A Edgerton Drive
North Falmouth, MA 02556
 
   
Updated February 2008