| Solar thermal energy refers to using solar energy (the | | | | Temperatures can reach up to 350 degrees Celsius, |
| renewable energy generated from the sun) for | | | | which is more than adequate for cooking. Drying and |
| thermal uses. This energy is completely renewable, | | | | pasteurization is also possible through the use of this |
| which could solve worldwide energy problems. It is | | | | form of solar collecting. The simplest form of medium |
| important to keep in mind that solar thermal energy | | | | solar cookers reaches temperatures between 50 and |
| generates a different kind of energy than | | | | 100 degrees Celsius and is a basic box design. The |
| photovoltaics. Solar thermal energy is harnessed | | | | thermal box material is heated from the sun throughout |
| through low, medium, and high solar collectors. Each | | | | the day, creating the cooking temperatures. |
| applies the concept of thermal energy generation in | | | | High temperature collectors differ immensely from low |
| various ways. | | | | and medium collectors, as they don't use plates. |
| Low temperature collectors are flat plates, which are | | | | Instead, high temperature collectors use mirrors and |
| generally used for heating, cooling, ventilation, and | | | | lenses to concentrate sunlight. High temperature |
| process heating. Solar process heating is used to for | | | | collectors often use a heat engine for their space |
| hot water or space heating for large or commercial | | | | heating. The efficiency of the heat engine increase |
| buildings. In the United States heating, ventilation, and air | | | | with the temperature of the heat source. This is called |
| conditioning accounts for 25 to 50 percent of energy | | | | concentrated solar power. This technique helps to |
| use. This large amount can be offset by instead using | | | | lower the environmental impacts of conventional |
| solar thermal energy. Thermal masses can be used to | | | | power usage. It is possible to generate temperatures |
| store energy collected from the sun during the day | | | | up to 600 degrees Celsius with this technique. For |
| and is then able to release the energy during cooler | | | | higher temperatures steam turbines and gas turbines |
| periods, such as the evening. These thermal mass | | | | can be used. This form of collecting is generally used |
| materials most often include stone, concrete, and | | | | for electric power production. |
| water. An important aspect of using solar thermal | | | | Thermal heating is still currently used in the Middle East. |
| energy is to consider the climate, daylight, and shading | | | | A solar thermal chimney collects energy during the day |
| conditions. Without adequate sunlight, thermal energy | | | | and then released it as the day cools. Updrafts through |
| does not work as well. | | | | the chimney pull the air through the building, creating |
| Medium temperature collectors are also flat plates, but | | | | heat. This technology has been around since Roman |
| instead are used for commercial and residential hot | | | | times. |
| water heating. They are most often used for cooking. | | | | |