Solar Industry

Technology Services and Solutions

Using the light of the day to create light during the night.

Radiant energy from the sun has powered life on earth for many millions of years and unless NASA isn’t telling us something, it should continue to do so for millions more.

Capturing and making efficient use of the sun is your job.  Making your sun driven systems operate at their optimal efficiency is ours.

Solar Systems - Converting Sunlight Into Electricity

Most people don’t come here for a lesson in solar voltaic energy.  That’s what they do for a living.  Most of our visitors are here looking for a company that can help with a…problem.  And lucky for us, our payment to Google got us high enough on the search list that you actually clicked on the link.  So lets not waste your time.  We are guessing you are here for one of a number of reasons.

  • You want a single interface for managing and monitoring your solar array
  • Your SCADA system needs to be modified, patched and/or secured
  • The field instrumentation and PLC systems will need some work
  • Your SCADA Hardware and Control Rooms consoles need to be upgraded
  • You have back office applications that need updates or replacement
  • You are hoping that we can help make some serious operational efficiencies
  • You need real-time dashboard/reports so you don’t have to ask for another spreadsheet
  • Your company wants to find ways to make more money from the same old sun
  • Your IT department is going to need an extra set of competent hands
  • You want that pain point addressed
  • No?  None of those?  Hmmm…Well maybe we should just sit down and listen to what brought you to our humble little site.
 

If you have made it this far, then maybe you will be willing to make another small leap and reach out to us directly.  Call us, or fill out the Contact Us form and we will call you. Either way, it is FREE.  We won’t ask for much information…Name and rank will do…Oh and of course what you are needing help with.  That’s it.  No high pressure sales.  No PO required.  Just a few minutes of your time.

IT Support and Services - TenacIT

Solar 101

The sun has produced energy for billions of years and is the ultimate source for all of the energy sources and fuels that we use today. People have used the sun’s rays (solar radiation) for thousands of years for warmth and to dry meat, fruit, and grains. Over time, people developed technologies to collect solar energy for heat and to convert it into electricity.

An example of an early solar energy collection device is the solar oven (a box for collecting and absorbing sunlight). In the 1830s, British astronomer John Herschel used a solar oven to cook food during an expedition to Africa. People now use many different technologies for collecting and converting solar radiation into useful heat energy for a variety of purposes.

We use solar thermal energy systems to heat

  • Water for use in homes, buildings, or swimming pools
  • The inside of homes, greenhouses, and other buildings
  • Fluids to high temperatures in solar thermal power plants


Solar photovoltaic (PV) devices, or solar cells, change sunlight directly into electricity. Small PV cells can power calculators, watches, and other small electronic devices. Arrangements of many solar cells in PV panels and arrangements of multiple PV panels in PV arrays can produce electricity for an entire house. Some PV power plants have large arrays that cover many acres to produce electricity for thousands of homes.

While the power of the sun has been used for thousands of years in various ways, modern humans have concentrated their commercial interests into 5 primary models.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology
Converts sunlight directly into electricity to power homes and businesses.

Passive Solar Technology
Provides light and harnesses heat from the sun to warm our homes and businesses in winter.

Solar Water Heating
Harnesses heat from the sun to provide hot water for homes and businesses.

Solar Process Heat
Uses solar energy to heat or cool commercial and industrial buildings.

Concentrating Solar Power
Harnesses heat from the sun to provide electricity for large power stations.

Additional Resources

For more information about solar energy, visit the following resources:

Solar Energy Technology Basics
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Energy Kids Solar Basics
U.S. Energy Information Administration Energy Kids

Clean Energy Education and Professional Development
U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Using Solar Electricity at Home
U.S. Department of Energy