Geothermal heating uses the relatively constant temperature found several feet beneath the earth's surface to reduce the amount of compression needed to heat and cool your home. Solar electricity is generated through a system of panels specifically designed to capture and convert the sun's rays into electricity. Each technology has advantages and disadvantages, and one or both might be suitable for your needs.
Geothermal Heating
Two type of geothermal heating are available. The purest form accesses reservoirs of hot water and steam that lie near the earth's surface, according to the National Renewable Energies Laboratory. This heat is transported through a series of pipes to provide interior heating and hot water in commercial and residential buildings.
Another form of geothermal heating involves a geothermal heat pump. A series of liquid-filled pipes runs beneath the ground and transfers the earth's relatively constant temperature, between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, to the liquid. This liquid is circulated through a geothermal heat pump and uses less compression compared to air-source heat pumps to heat and cool interior spaces. Compression is the most expensive part of air conditioning and heating, and the U.S. Department of Energy states that geothermal heat pumps can provide up to 350 percent greater efficiency than air-source heat pumps.
Solar Electricity
Solar electricity is produced when the sun's rays interact with certain types of silicon to create an electrical charge. This charge is captured and converted to the electricity used in homes and businesses. The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that small groups of solar cells can power calculators and watches, while larger solar installations provide power to the electric grid.
Similarities
Geothermal heating and solar electricity are similar because both use renewable energy resources. Geothermal systems tap the endless supply of the earth's heat, while solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity. Both technologies can benefit individual homeowners or larger populations, depending on how the systems are designed.
Differences
Geothermal heating requires electricity to run a compressor and the pump that circulates water through the ground, and to distribute heated or cooled air through a building. In contrast, solar panels consume no man-made energy to generate electricity; instead, they produce electricity from the sun's rays.
Another difference is that solar energy systems work only when the sun shines, limiting their availability to daylight hours unless the excess electricity they generate is stored in a specially-designed battery. The U.S. Department of Energy states that geothermal heating is effective at all times because access to the earth's warmth is always available.
Benefits
Both geothermal heating and solar electricity systems provide an economic benefit by reducing your energy bills. Solar panels can also be installed in a home with a geothermal heating unit and can provide enough power to run the unit, eliminating the electricity costs associated with geothermal heating.
Larger residential and commercial solar panel systems can generate more electricity than users need. You can send the excess back into the electrical grid to earn a rebate or income from your power company. Geothermal systems and solar panels also benefit the environment because they reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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