Using solar power outdoors is becoming more and more common. In fact one of the most popular uses in the US is that of heating a swimming pool. Generally these systems increase an unheated pool’s temperature by more than 10 degrees which means you can often swim for an 3 extra months. And when the solar panels are no longer heating the pool, you can use them to send the water to your hot water heater, inside your house, instead. However, you’d have to have a valve installed to prevent the pool water from mixing with your household supply and contaminating your drinking water.
Another popular use for solar power in the yard is outdoor house lighting. Energy is stored during the hours of sunshine and it is then transfered to your lights in the evenings, to illuminate your porch, path or patio.
Tags: solar panels