Solar Energy Applications

There are a lot of potential applications  of photovoltaic energy, but there are two main branches; the ones that are connected to the electrical network (rural electrification, agricultural applications, telecommunications, etc.); and the ones that are connected to the electrical network such as  energy production plants, buildings, etc.

The main applications in which solar energy is being used are:

Electrification of rural houses. It is estimated that the use of photovoltaic solar power is profitable if the distance to the nearest power network is bigger than 500 meters.
 
 Communication stations and equipment. It is one of the fastest growing applications: emergency telephones along highways, repeaters, etc..
 
Tele-measurement teams.  When they are away from the electrical grid. Mostly meteorological equipment, environmental measurement equipment, etc.
 
Signage: buoys, beacons and navigation lights; Traffic signs, lights and traffic lights; Trains and airports signaling pathways.
 
Cathode protection of oil and gas pipelines. Any metal buried underground or under water suffers the effects of corrosion. The cathode protection against corrosion is achieved by applying a small potential difference between the metal and soil. The use of solar photovoltaic applications of this kind is not very common.
 
Public Lighting. This scope is limited and is being implemented in tunnels, parks and roads, bus stops, billboards, etc.
 
Security Systems and emergency sirens.
  
Battery chargers for electric vehicles.
 
Water pumping and irrigation systems. This is the most representative application. These applications have the advantage that the energy requirements match with in time with sunny days. Also the assembly required for water pumping is very simple and cheap.
 
Electrification of fencing and lighting.
 
Greenhouses: Circulation of water, lighting and air conditioning equipment.
 
Satellites of all kinds.
 
Calculators, mobile phones and other electronic equipment.
 
Net-metering: This term refers to cases in which the electricity produced is not used in the facility it is installed, it is added to the network of the power companies

With this we cam reaffirm that solar energy has infinite possibilities.