The Stirling Engine is a simple heat exchange engine which was invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 as an alternative to steam engines. This engine works by utilizing compression and expansion of air at two different temperatures. At one end air is heated and while it is cooled down on the other end, which results in air expansion and compression at two ends causing the piston movement.
As Solar Power Generators
Stirling Engines are now used as solar renewable energy generators and the term is called as thermal solar technology. In this technology heat energy from the sun is utilized to run the engine to generate electricity. In practical use, a solar thermal engine has a large parabolic reflector which is known as solar dish, this dish is coated with silver coating or mirrors are used so that it can reflect sunlight into one focal point in the center where a Stirling engine is placed. Stirling engine receives this sunlight and converts this heat energy into mechanical energy to generate electricity. You will end up generating free and clean energy in the form of electricity.
\"Energy Efficiency\"
Solar thermal technology is available as alternate energy for both residential and commercial use.
Residential Electricity Generation
As a residential consumer, you can simply buy a small size Stirling solar engine dish according to your requirements. For a small house you might go for a 1-2 Kw model and place it on your rooftop just like you install solar panels for solar power generation. Solar mounted dish will generate electricity during the day and excess electricity will be stored in batteries for night hours use. House owners will receive clean and free solar energy from the Sun. Residential solar technology is getting popular quickly because solar dishes covers less area as compared to solar panels.
Commercial Electricity Generation
On the other hand, commercial level solar thermal dish systems can be quite larger in size and can generate up to 25 kW or even higher. Commercial users simply buy a solar dish according to their electricity usage, as a small company you might end up buying couple of medium size solar dishes. On larger scale such as government, military or electricity generation for grid these dishes are place in the form of large arrays as giant heat collectors also called as solar farms and they create huge amount of clean electricity. The Worlds largest solar facility has 20,000-dish array, 4,500-acre of land and generates 850 MW.
For further reading on solar thermal technology please check Stirling Engines As Solar Generators in residential and commercial use.
One of the best way to understand this extremely simple heat engine is to purchase a small DIY Stirling engine model. For further reading and buying a model please check Stirling Engine History and Basics.