(Above) Firman Solar panels harnessing the thermal energy of 'diffuse radiation'.
Climate change
It is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today, rising temperatures are causing irreversible changes; weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather are all to be expected from an increased global temperature.
A change of just a few degrees will be felt across the globe, and internationally there may be severe problems for people in regions that are particularly vulnerable.
Many would agree (including George Bush.. eventually!) that the alarming increase of harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide into our atmosphere is causing our planet to get hotter. The atmosphere, vital to the growth and sustainability of our planet, is composed of several 'greenhouse gases' (see boxout); by changing the composition of these gases we are effecting the atmosphere's ability to let solar radiation (heat) escape as it should. This is what is causing climate change, or Global Warming.
The Earth has warmed by 0.74°C over the last hundred years. Around 0.4°C of this warming has occurred since the 1970s.
The 'Greenhouse effect'
The 'greenhouse effect' is a label for the effect of the gases in our atmosphere. They allow short wavelength solar radiation to reach the Earth but retain radiation of longer wavelength; causing the warming of the atmosphere.
Water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitric oxide are the main greenhouse gases.
We all produce carbon emissions
Driving to work, turning on a hair drier, using our shower; we are all producing carbon emissions; sometimes not even knowing it, anything that requires energy will produce carbon emissions.
Our homes and cars are probably the biggest contributors in our everyday lives. Your home for example will typically rely on gas, oil or electricity to provide it's central, water and underfloor heating. Your energy provider will produce tonnes of CO2 emissions in the production and distribution of this energy.
We can all do our part to reduce carbon emissions. Turning off electrical appliances at the mains will reduce your carbon footprint over the year, for example. There are a number of wonderful guides on the Internet that list many great suggestions, below is a good start:
change.ie | Ireland's plan of action on climate change
http://change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/
| PJ Firman solar water heating |
Firman Solar
Our solar water heating systems for homes, pools and businesses can reduce your carbon footprint significantly. Our solar panels are constructed from Aluminum and Glass both of which are recyclable. The carbon footprint of the manufacture process has been minimised to maximise the carbon payback of the panel; meaning that the reduction to your carbon footprint will pay for the carbon used to produce the panel within just 6 months! This is an outstanding contribution to the environment and you will continue to save tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the solar panel.
PJ Firman solar panels reducing this home carbon footprint by over a tonne per year.
Although only a few hundred watts of electricity is required to run the digital controller, this is actually a worthwhile expense. By having a sophisticated, but simple to use digital controller, your panel's life expectancy is extended, affording you and the planet much greater returns; both financially and environmentally.
PJ Firman solar panels are a cost effective way of significantly lowering carbon footprints. If you would like to know more about just how much your home could save then please fill out our
survey form and we can supply some figures based on your existing heating.
Typically, a 2 bedroom home using 2 PJ Firman solar panels could expect to save around 1 tonne of CO2 a year. A 3 bedroom house or swimming pool heating could expect to save much more.
