How Efficient is a Solar Power Livestock Water Heater
The life of a farmer in a small village in a cold country can be really difficult. He cannot survive without livestock, which is his living and the livestock cannot survive without water. So, in the cold months of the year the water freezes, if there is no electricity and running water, such problems are common and the solar power livestock water heater is the ideal solution.
Freeze Protection System
For the solar power livestock water heater a freeze protection system is available. It is possible to have a solar pumping system for the water in winter, but there are a few problems. The daylight hours are short and skies are often overcast, so the owners of solar pumps have to deal with very low power output. A special in-tank propane heater can be used to keep the water from freezing or solar-heated air or water collectors can be built on the tanks. In this system the sun's heat is used to prevent the tank from freezing.
There are some water heaters available in the markets which are battery powered with which the water tanks can be prevented from freezing solid, so your livestock can have water 24 hours a day. All this can be done with a 12-volt battery which needs to be charged throughout day. Of course you can opt for bigger batteries and they will then last up tp four days.
Uses of Hot Water in Farms
Water heating requirements for livestock are necessary in many farmhouses. If the livestock is in enclosed buildings even air quality needs to be controlled for the health and growth of the animals. Solar power livestock water heaters can be installed to provide low to medium temperature hot water.
Hot water in farms is used for pen cleaning and for cleaning equipment in commercial dairy farms and is also used to warm and stimulate cows' udders. On a dairy farm almost 40% of the energy used is for heating water and cooling milk. All these hot water requirements can be met with a solar water heating system.
There are no problems like low voltage and shocks and the basic model of a solar power livestock water heater is so robust that it promises to last a lifetime. Outdoor connections should be well protected, and the heater comes with a 90-day warranty.
In the United States an animal water tank with a solar panel is available. It has a recirculating pump which is fixed in a water tub container and includes a filter which removes the contaminants from the water.
There are many solar energy alternatives for agriculture and many farmhouses are being environment friendly and adapting new methods and gadgets like the solar power livestock water heater. The initial expenditure is big, but the returns are massive, as the sun's energy is plentiful and unending and we can all use it liberally.
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