Technology
Renewable technology for all properties
Knight & Day Solar Installations are agnostic when it comes to the best solution to suit multiple types of properties. Not using a one size fits all technology means that Knight & Day can be flexible to meet the demands of the clients power and energy uses.
Knight & Day advocate battery storage with Solar PV as it facilitates more autonomy from the grid and better suits an investment into renewable energy, freeing up reliance on fluctuating energy costs and allowing for the use of flexible tariffs and off-peak energy costs.
The installation of a solar panel array can be done in multiple ways, such as solar tiles, solar panels and solar thermal. The technology for solar and battery storage is developing constantly with better performing solar panels and smaller battery storage featuring lithium-ion LiFePo4 enhancing storage opportunities.
Knight & Day Solar Installations are looking for the best technology and installation methods to suit the building and property, maximising solar generation.
Different types of renewable technology
1. Solar Energy
- Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Convert sunlight directly into electricity using solar panels.
- Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): Use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight and generate heat, which drives turbines to produce electricity.
- Solar Water Heating: Uses solar energy to heat water for residential, commercial, or industrial use.
- Solar Lighting and Cookers: Small-scale applications for lighting and cooking.
2. Wind Energy
- Onshore Wind Turbines: Installed on land, harness wind to drive turbines and generate electricity.
- Offshore Wind Turbines: Located in bodies of water where wind speeds are higher and more consistent.
- Small-Scale Wind Systems: Used for individual homes or businesses, often in rural areas.
3. Hydropower (Water Energy)
- Large-Scale Dams: Generate electricity by using falling or flowing water to drive turbines.
- Run-of-River Systems: Divert a portion of river flow through turbines without requiring a large dam.
- Pumped Storage Hydropower: Stores energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir during low demand and releasing it during peak demand.
- Micro-Hydro Systems: Small-scale systems for localized power generation.
4. Geothermal Energy
- Geothermal Power Plants: Use heat from the Earth's core to generate steam that drives turbines.
- Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Directly uses geothermal energy for space heating or cooling through ground-source heat pumps.
5. Biomass Energy
- Direct Combustion: Burning organic materials (wood, crop waste) to generate heat or electricity.
- Biogas: Produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste (e.g., manure, food scraps).
- Biofuels: Liquid fuels like ethanol (from sugarcane or corn) and biodiesel (from vegetable oils) for transportation.
- Advanced Biomass Technologies: Include pyrolysis and gasification to produce energy-rich gases and liquids.
6. Ocean Energy
- Wave Energy: Captures energy from surface waves.
- Tidal Energy: Uses the movement of tides to drive turbines.
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): Exploits temperature differences between surface and deep ocean water to generate electricity.
- Salinity Gradient Energy: Harnesses energy from the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater.
7. Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Green Hydrogen Production: Uses renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis.
- Fuel Cells: Convert hydrogen into electricity for stationary or mobile applications.
8. Hybrid Renewable Systems
- Solar-Wind Hybrids: Combine solar panels and wind turbines to optimize energy production.
- Renewable-Diesel Hybrids: Use renewables in conjunction with diesel generators, often in remote areas.
9. Emerging Renewable Technologies
- Algae Biofuels: Uses algae to produce bio-oils for energy.
- Piezoelectric Energy: Captures energy from mechanical stress or vibrations.
- Artificial Photosynthesis: Mimics natural photosynthesis to produce fuel directly from sunlight.
Each of these technologies offers unique benefits and applications, and their combination often leads to more efficient and sustainable energy systems.