Solar plants - heat from the environment

At the beginning of the article, we immediately give a definition of the concept of solar power, so that it is clearer what will be discussed in this article. Solar units are devices (structures, mechanisms, etc.) that are able to convert the energy of the sun's rays (from the Greek Helios - the sun) into thermal energy. Thermal energy in turn can be used for traditional purposes - heating of premises, preparation of hot water and so on.
So, as can be seen from the definition of our subject heat produced by the sun transmitted by its radiation and accumulated ...? And then I ask you to recall the sensations that you experience in a greenhouse or on a glass balcony, for example, in April. Why this example? Yes, it is very simple that it is the best demonstration of the principle of operation of the solar power plant. Namely, the effect of conversion and the accumulation of thermal energy within the above constructions from the sun's rays. Further more, and because our land is an ideal greenhouse with an ideal insulator - vacuum. So, we live in a greenhouse in which solar thermal energy is accumulated and converted into thermal energy. It remains only to take this energy (or to convert the energy of solar rays into heat) and use it. The environment-air, water, the surface of the earth, constructions of buildings and structures, etc., serves as storage-converters in our "greenhouse".
One should also mention another source of thermal energy from the external environment. Namely, the use of heat from the core of the earth (geothermal). For example, if we consider the accumulation of thermal energy in the thickness of the earth, then you can find both sources. The upper layers are mainly heated by the action of sunlight, but the lower layers have thermal energy produced by the earth's core. Therefore, in this technology of transfer and concentration of thermal energy from the source to the consumer as a "heat pump", there are two ways of heat removal. The ground collector, located in the upper layers and borehole probes, are immersed in the thickness of the earth for a considerable distance. Another example. The heat of geothermal sources is the thermal energy of the earth's core, and the water heated by the sun's rays in the reservoir is the heat of the sun. I think the principle is clear. And the combinations are as varied as the world around us. But the common one. Our "greenhouse" is heated by two natural sources of heat energy by a lamp (sun) and a stove (earth core).
Of course, the design of modern solar units is significantly different from the example of a greenhouse given earlier. Vacuum tubes, heat pumps, thermal insulation all this makes it possible to significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of solar installations. For example, when using flat collectors as solar collectors, the low temperature of the outside air leads to large thermal losses of the solar collector. Which in turn reduces its effectiveness. At the same time, the use of vacuum tubes allows thermal losses to be reduced. That is, to increase efficiency with an almost identical basic design of the installation due to a technical solution.
In addition to the design features, the efficiency of solar installations is influenced by atmospheric conditions (outside temperature, cloudiness, intensity and duration of solar radiation) in which the solar plant works. Naturally, in different parts of the world, atmospheric conditions are different. Atmospheric conditions also change with the time of the year. The variety of designs of modern solar power plants for today allow them to be effectively applied both in the southern regions and in regions with relatively low outside air temperatures. For example, in southern areas, installations that directly convert solar beams into thermal energy (thermosyphon and flat collectors) are successfully used. In northern regions, installations using accumulated heat in the upper layers of the earth with its subsequent concentration (heat pump) are used.
Of course it would be wrong to say that the serious use of solar power plants is the achievement of the twenty-first century. For example, the norm of VSN 52-86 "Installations of solar hot water supply" dates back to 1988. But it is for today with the current constant rise in the cost of traditional coolants, the use of solar power plants is becoming more relevant.