According to a sun index developed for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Georgia is ranked tenth (10th) among the states with the greatest energy potential from solar power.

The sun index is an index of the amount of direct sunlight received in each state accounting for latitude and cloud cover. The amount of direct sunlight was calculated from numbers provided by the Renewable Resource Data Center. The sun index was calculated from the average peak sunlight hours per year from 1960 to 1990.

Georgia ranks 10th, among states, for solar power potential but 38th in the number of solar energy systems connected to the electricity grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) has collected weather data for over 30 years from six (6) weather stations located throughout Georgia.
Typically, speaking solar cells are manufactured and connected electrically, laminated, encapsulated, and packaged into a frame to create a solar module. Modules are then assembled into an Array which is a complete photovoltaic (“PV”) power-generating unit consisting of a number of integrated modules with structural supports, trackers, or other components. The technologies that the Georgia Solar Energy Association focuses on are primarily solar photovoltaic (“PV”) or electricity; passive solar design and solar water heating.

SOLAR ELECTRICITY

The process of converting light into electricity is called the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Within PV cells, semiconductor materials absorb photons in sunlight that knock electrons from their atoms, allowing electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. PV cells are combined to form a module, which in turn are connected in arrays that vary in shape and size. For a more detailed discussion on visit the Department of Energy website.

Solar arrays were previously only feasible using batteries to store the energy. Now, most modern systems use the grid as a primary source of power, with your solar array offsetting electric usage. The goal? To reduce your power bill.

SOLAR WATER HEATING

Solar thermal collectors are typically used for water heating. Solar hot water collectors are often thin, flat, rectangular boxes or long, thin parallel tubes that face the sun. Heated water is transferred to storage tanks or antifreeze liquids can pass through coils in water tanks, transferring the heat to the water.

Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design refers to building planning that provides natural heating to a home or business. A well-designed building can capture heat in the winter and minimize it in the summer. One common technique is the use of large south-facing windows and building materials that absorb the sun’s heat during the day and slowly release it at night. Natural daylighting – the use of natural light to brighten a buildings interior – is an added benefit of many passive solar designs.