Solar Energy

What are PV (photovoltaics) solar panels?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert the sun´s energy into electricity using solar panels. This process is clean, silent and pollution free. The solar energy is then converted into utility grade electricity to be used in the Home.

Having solar power for homes reduces the need to purchase utility electricity, and in the event that the PV electricity is more than what the home requires, the excess can be sent back to the utility and credited.

Every year the supply of PV collectors has to increase 20-30% in order to keep up with the worldwide demand for this renewable energy.

PV modules are usually rigid devices, usually in rectangular shape ranging in size from 2´ by 4´ to 4´by 8´. These modules have a glass cover and have been tested to survive storms, hail and progressive degradation by ultraviolet rays. They are most frequently installed on roofs, but they can also be installed on a pole or on more sophisticated sun tracking structures that change their angle following the sun, like a sunflower would. There are also flexible PV panels that can be as big as 2´ by 20´ or more. These ones have a very durable film cover to protect them.

Residential PV systems need to be used alongside utility power. The excess of electricity produced during the peak hours of the sun, can be fed back into the utility line, while the utility electricity can be used when there is more demand in the home than the solar panel can supply, especially during a cloudy day or at night time.
Depending on the efficiency of the PV technology used, most residential PV panels have a power production between 1,200-5,000 watts and require an installation area of 150-1,000 square feet.

PV modules (or solar electric collectors) are different from solar thermal collectors (that convert the sun’s energy into thermal (typically hot water) energy.

Some disadvantages of PV solar collectors

Photovoltaic panels are the traditional solar energy systems most frequently seen installed anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. They are solar thermal systems with a fixed position, designed to transform solar energy into electricity based on the input of “one sun”. Therefore the performance of PV degrades when the ambient temperature rises more than 35°C (95°F). This is why PV solar panels installed in tropical climates need to be 25% larger to perform the same as in more temperate climates. Most PV panels achieve a 12% conversion efficiency converting solar energy into electricity.
Although efficient, PV panels also have a margin of error called the “cosine error”. This is caused by the fact that the collectors are usually pointed south and tilted at an angle equal to the latitude. This orientation grants a maximum sunlight gathering at noon time and still receives sunlight in the morning and afternoon. Nevertheless, the angle during morning and afternoon times becomes more and more acute and the collector is not such an accurate target anymore. Moreover, if the PV is customized for the solstices of spring and autumn, it will collect less sun during the winter season –when the sun is lower in the sky–, and during the summer season when it is higher in the sky.

CSP  (Concentrated Solar Power)
Concentrated Solar Power– or “CSP”–, is the type of solar power that concentrates sunlight into a small area, creating  the heat that will generate electricity. CSP uses reflectors or mirrors to focus concentrated sun energy on a specific area. It acts like a magnifying lens whose target is to heat fluids that will be turned into steam. This steam will drive a steam turbine that will generate electricity. CSP is compatible with the conventional power generators in the sense that instead of using ¨fossil fuels like oil and coal” it uses solar energy.

CPS systems are the cheapest solar energy systems in the market. Many CPS power plants are running in the USA and other countries.

Many new studies and initiatives are being undertaken in order to further reduce the costs of solar power, with the objective that in time, it will compete with the costs of conventional power plants.

CSP solar energy is just one of many methods of generating alternative energy on a broad scale.

There are three basic types of solar thermal power systems:

a)      The Parabolic Trough

The parabolic trough collector has a parabolic-shaped reflector that focuses the rays of the sun into a receiver pipe. These collectors tilt with the sun as a giant sun flower, making sure that the sun is constantly shining on the receiver.  Because of the parabolic shape, it can focus the sun at many times its normal concentration ratio, achieving operating temperatures over 750F.

A “solar field” consists of many rows of solar parabolic trough collectors aligned north/south.  The heat transfer fluid heats up as it circulates through the receiver pipes and reaches the “heat exchangers” in the central location. There the fluid flows trough pipes and transfers heat to water which generates hot steam. This steam is fed to a steam turbine and the generator produces electricity. As the fluid passes through the heat exchangers it is refrigerated and re circulated thru the solar field to be reheated. These big plants are designed to operate fully with solar energy. Nevertheless, they can feed from the conventional power lines when there are low solar periods or cloudy days.

b)     Solar Dish

The solar dish system uses concentrating solar collectors that track the sun rays, always pointing at the sun and concentrating the solar energy at the focal point of the dish. The concentration ratio is much higher than the trough, reaching a fluid temperature over 1380F.

Another example of broad scale solar power production is the use of solar towers. These towers use an assortment of moving mirrors (called heliostats) to continuously reflect sunlight toward a central area at the top of the tower. The heliostats are set up so that they move with the movement of the sun, thus maintaining optimal reflecting power.

c)      Solar Power Towers.

Mounted on a tall tower, the central heat exchanger receives concentrated solar power from hundreds or thousands of heliostats or sun-tracking mirrors that reflect and concentrate the sun’s energy as much as 1,500 times the energy coming from the sun.  Energy losses from transporting the thermal energy are minimised as the solar power is transferred by reflection directly from the heliostats to the single receiver.

The larger the solar power tower, the more economical it will be.

Have a Green Holiday with Solar Christmas Lights

Posted on November 10, 2011 by GuestPoster

Are you looking to flaunt your green credentials this holiday season?  If so, then consider swathing your yard with solar powered Christmas lights.  These solar wonders absorb the sun’s rays all day long, then use that energy to put on a yuletide glow after dark.  You may not have the flashiest holiday display in the neighborhood, but you will certainly have the most economical!

What They Are and Where to Find Them

Solar Christmas lights are battery-powered, using sunlight to charge the batteries each day so that the lights can turn your yard into a beacon of holiday cheer each night.  These products use LED technology, which is much more energy efficient than the old fashioned ice cream cone-sized bulbs your parents used. Obviously, the more sunshine that is available, the better these lights will work.

Customer reviews note that these decorations won’t glow all night long, but at least they won’t keep you awake by shining in your bedroom windows.  They do save up enough power, according to most users, to light up for a few hours even when the weather is cloudy, which is a cheerful thought.

Nowadays, solar powered outdoor lights are widely available–and these Christmas lights are no exception.  Strings of white LED lights can be found at many online stores such as Amazon, Garden.com, Outdoor Solar Store and others.  Many chain brick-and-mortar stores now carry them as well, with Home Depot, Target and Walmart all stocking these solar wonders.  Colored solar LED Christmas lights are a little harder to find, but they are also available–at least online.

How Much do They Cost?

You will pay a bit more for solar powered Christmas lights.  For a string of 100 white lights, you may pay approximately $10-$20 more for solar than for regular lights.  Colored lights are a bit pricier still, and could run you upwards of $50 for a 100-bulb string.  Keep in mind, however, that while your neighbor’s electric meters are spinning at the speed of light under the stress of powering all those standard lighting displays, yours will be moving like a snail.  The money you save on electricity will likely pay for your new lights in a season or two.

Then again, you will be helping to promote solar energy–something you just can’t put a price on.

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Illuminate Your Driveway With The Help Of The Solar Powered Motion Activated 14-LED Security Spotlight

Posted on November 8, 2011 by GuestPoster

Do you want to keep the areas around your property illuminated but don’t want to pay for an electrician to hook everything up?

Consider using solar-powered lights in areas around your house that don’t require continual lighting. An intense glow is generated by the solar lights, and they emit lovely shadowing around the surrounding spots.

The solar lights are run by highly efficient rechargeable batteries that store the electrical power that has been converted by the natural sunlight, which has been collected by specifically designed solar panels. The first couple of hours, the solar lights will be the brightest, then gradually diminish throughout the night. On days when it’s raining or it’s cloudy, the output will fluctuate, but with 8 hours of sunlight and fully, the lights will work for several hours.

The Solar Powered Motion Activated 14-LED Security Spotlight

One such solar light is the Solar Powered Motion Activated 14-LED Security Spotlight. This is exactly what you need for your garage, doorway, and other dark spots around your property! This particular light works well for security duty since the brightness generated by the 14 LED lights illuminates every time they detect motion. There are no operational or energy fees as it runs on solar power.

This is what you are going to get when you buy solar-powered security spotlights: You will have a solar-powered security spotlight equipped with a sensor that detects movement. It is simple to install, does not require hiring an electrician, and has 14 LED lights.

The solar lights come on automatically at night if any sort of movement is detected. The product includes three Ni-MH batteries together with the solar-powered security light, the solar panel, and the mounting screws. The light has a white color with dimensions of 6 inches wide, 7.7 inches tall, and 6.9 inches deep.

Regular lights that run on solar power only contain a limited battery capacity along with a limited solar cell area and this is somewhat of a problem. Because of this, we have come to expect lights that run on solar power to only give off a minimal amount of light for a short time. As technology improves, today’s batteries and solar cells are a lot better than the previously available ones. Thus solar powered lights are now usually used for landscape lighting since they don’t require electrical wiring.

Moreover, it is not hard at all to move these solar lights when changing your landscaping, since the DC electricity is powered by the sun and the DC electricity can be converted to AC using grid-tie inverters as well. The built-in photo sensors enable the solar lights to switch off during daytime, and light up at night, all automatically.

A wonderful benefit of the lights that run on solar power is the fact that they don’t require the use of fossil fuels according to most solar panel reviews. Therefore, solar-powered lights do not produce pollution when they are lit up. The Solar Powered Motion Activated 14-LED Security Spotlight is one of several solar-powered lights that work as effective security lights. Using solar-powered lights at night is your best choice when you’re desiring to integrate green living into your life.

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Why You Should Make the Change to Solar Powered Deck Lights

Posted on October 3, 2011 by GuestPoster

You may be looking to add some lighting to your outdoor deck or patio and trying to decide what type of lights are right for you. Lighting your outdoor areas can be expensive, not only with the upfront costs but with the increasing price of electricity the ongoing costs can add up quickly. Have you thought of making the change to solar powered deck lights?

The best thing about using solar deck lights is that they are powered by solar energy. Solar energy has some amazing benefits, the best of which is saving money. Solar energy is completely free, and using solar lights will not add any further costs to your electricity bill. If you actually remove some of your electric lights and replace them with solar lights, then you will be able to reduce your electricity usage and save more money.

Another great thing about changing to solar powered deck lights is that they don’t take long to set up and they don’t need a lot of work to keep them going. Solar lights don’t have any messy electrical wires or cords that need to be connected to power outlets. This is great for a couple of reasons. First, because they don’t need to be near outlets, you don’t have to worry about where you put them and whether the cord will reach. Second, there is no need to hire an electrician to connect and install your lights, saving you money. Third, you won’t have any unsightly wires or cords running all over your deck.

Solar energy is not only good for you and your wallet, but it also has benefits for the planet as well. Solar power is an alternative, renewable and sustainable source of energy that will last forever and never run out, no matter how much you use it. Unlike electricity, it is a clean energy source that does not contaminate the environment with toxic emissions. It is safe you use around your home and family.

The best advice about solar lights is to make the change and use these lights wherever you can around your home. You will save money on your power bill, and have great looking lights that you can set up yourself. Reduce your impact on the environment by using solar energy for your outdoor lighting needs.

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Get More Use from Outdoor Space with Solar Fence Lights

Posted on September 2, 2011 by GuestPoster

Spending your time outside on your patio or porch is an excellent way to relax when your day is done. It is quite common for a homeowner to take a significant amount of time and effort to get there outdoor area is comfortable as they can. The combination of the grill with an inviting and comfortable couch or regular seat makes for a perfect combination. It’s easy to spend time with your family in a setup like this or have friends over for the evening.

At the Sun settles in the West, you can keep the patio active for as long as you want by adding a few simple things to your outdoor area. Adding a few accessories like some sort of blanket to keep away the chill or lights will make it come alive. Hanging one or two paper lanterns, or a stream of Christmas lights, or even votive candles, combined with a ring of solar fence lights around the area, will make it as bright as you need to be for as long as you need it to stay.

This solar fence line creates a remarkably well lit area, as you’ll see as soon as you turn it on for the first time. This is also going to bring some security to your home, as it will be bright enough for anyone to see around the back door. Lights like this have been proven to deter criminals and make it much less likely that they will attempt to break into your home. These lights will provide you with a safe, beautiful area to spend your evenings in.

As a homeowner, you put a lot of effort into making your home beautiful, and so you should enjoy it as much as you can. Don’t let the sun determine when you can or can’t enjoy your yard, but instead, install the lighting you need to make yourself comfortable. It’s fast and simple and will pay off in major dividends. The best part about solar lanterns or solar lights is they’re one-time costs (with the exception of the small battery) as opposed to the reoccurring costs of traditional wired electrical lights.

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Solar Energy Powered Combi Boilers

Posted on August 19, 2011 by obadias

Solar Panels

Solar compatible Combi Boiler

Nowadays, with the global pollution and shortage of oil, it is very commendable when some people try to use the more clean, renewable and alternative kinds of energy. After all, every little effort pays. Solar panels can be very useful and economical in the long run, so why not use this free solar energy to supply your house with hot water?

A combi boiler has the advantage of instantly heating water on demand and it does not need a storage tank. It provides mains pressure hot water.

The use of Solar Water Heating (SWH) on the other hand, requires a storage tank, and works with low pressure.

How can you combine both? It is not so difficult to adapt combi boiler to system if you have the right conditions and a good specialist to help you with the installation.

For this combination to be successful, it is required that the hot water tank can take pressurized water and the particular combi can take pre-heated water from the solar panel. If you are not sure, check with the manufacturer because if you go ahead without all the technical information  needed, it can end in a big expensive mistake.

Specialized companies provide “modulating” boilers that monitor the water temperature when it enters the system and modulate the flame accordingly. This is the best solution if you are starting from scratch and want to install solar water heating alongside a new combi boiler.

If you already have a combi boiler in your home and would like to adapt a solar water heating system to go along, it is possible –but quite difficult– and needs the help of an expert.  One possibility –in this case—would be to have both the combi boiler and the solar panels heat the same water tank. For this you should adapt a thermostat and a heat exchanger to the combi boiler and a separate outlet leading from the combi to the shower and radiators. This way you would still have mains pressure hot water and the boiler would fire full power, which is important for its good functioning.

There are some companies that provide expert heating engineers whom may assist you with your particular situation. If your combi boiler or your solar panels are not compatible and the company doesn´t have the right combination already manufactured, they can always design the right system for you.

See some technical UK associations listed below:

www.solartradeassociation.org.uk
www.licensedplumber.co.uk
www.imaginationsolar.com
www.eco-hometec-co-uk
www.viessmann.co.uk
www.atmos.uk.com

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Posted on August 19, 2011 by obadias

Solar energy is the most well known renewable, sustainable, “green” alternative to fossil fuels and petrochemical energies. The latest –being highly polluting, contaminating our environment and contributing to the global warming–, are also non sustainable and non renewable and will inevitably come to an end.

Nevertheless, as long as our solar system and planet Earth exist –the way we know them–, we will be able to avail ourselves of all the advantages of solar energy.

Harnessing the sun’s heat and power for our own consume is something that could only be dreamed in the past, but that is now quite feasible, accessible, and popular amongst many residential home owners in the complex societies of the XXI century.

What are the Advantages of Solar Energy?

-It is totally free.

-It is renewable day after day: Every time the sun rises over the horizon.

-It is clean, and its use causes almost no harmful emissions into the atmosphere. (Besides the pollution caused by the manufacturing of solar panels and necessary elements).

-It can be applied almost everywhere, in residential homes, commercial areas, hospitals and government institutions, in cities and in remote areas without electricity. The size and number of the solar panels is in direct proportion to the size of the buildings that need to be lighted or heated.

-It is collected in photo-voltaic solar panels –usually on the roof–and transformed into electricity to power small appliances and supply solar power for homes.

-It can be collected in solar water heaters –installed alone or beside the solar panels– and used to provide both heating and hot water to the homes.

-It can be used to power small devices such as calculators, mini laptops, radios, battery rechargers, fans, etc.

Small Disadvantages of Solar Energy

The price. Until recently, the price of some of its photovoltaic components, like the solar panels, used to be quite expensive and out of the reach of the middle/lower classes.  But the rise of modern technology in the developing nations of China, Brazil, India, Taiwan, Korea, etc. and the massive production and exportation of such items all over the world, has lowered the price substantially, making solar energy much more accessible than ever before.

Weather factors. The radiation of the Sun is obviously stronger in the equator and tropics than it is in the poles. Some regions almost do not see the sun during the winter months, others have continuous rainfall and/or cloudy days for weeks at the time.   In these situations, it becomes necessary to connect to the grid, either as a backup system or to supplement your solar energy production during the bad weather.

Actually, if accessible in your location, it is quite recommendable to always connect your solar energy to the grid, as doing so you may make some extra money. The days that the sun is supplying much more power than your household consumes, it will be uploaded into the power grid and they will pay you for supplying them with extra electricity.

Some of the latest solar technology has produced an innovative thin-film solar cell (TFSC) that can be spread or painted in layers over windows to collect the solar energy in a similar way that solar panels for homes do on the roof. This film is so photo sensitive that will even detect the light of the moon or the street lights and transform it into electricity to light your home.

Solar energy seems to be the leader amongst the other alternative energies that are currently being pioneered, improved and harnessed to take the place of fossil fuels and chemicals in the future. This will help palliate not only our planet’s environmental challenges , but also our own countries financial challenges.

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Solar Energy Systems for New Off the Grid Homes

Posted on August 15, 2011 by GuestPoster

Building your dream home on remote land can present logistical challenges if your home is not within close reach to the utility grid. In cases where you need to bring your own power, there are several options available.

Wind Power

Wind power can be a suitable option if you have a significant amount of land in a windy area.  The biggest drawback to wind power is that the turbines must be maintained in order to function properly.  Turbine powered systems can also be very loud, which can be an issue if you are sensitive to noise.

Solar Energy System

Depending on what area of the country you live in, you may want to consider adding a solar energy system. Utilizing a solar power system can be a smarter choice, as it has less moving parts and requires less maintenance.

Working with your architect and homebuilder in advance is helpful, in order to maximize the efficiency of your power system. Factors such as home orientation and roof design can affect the overall efficiency and output of your solar energy system.

Work with LEED certified designers and engineers whenever possible. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs, and is the governing body for creating sustainable resource projects.

Properly sizing the electrical system can be challenging for new homes. The biggest challenge is properly calculating load requirements without having any historical usage data. Working with your architect and electrician is important, so that you do not accidentally undersize your electrical system.

Choosing your appliances in advance can be helpful as you can rely on the manufacturer specifications. Keep in mind that sizing electrical systems can be challenging, due to the different number of variables. For example, appliances with motors will draw a larger amount of electricity when they are first starting up. This is generally not a large concern, as most of the time people do not start all appliances simultaneously. If you may have future plans to build hot tubs, swimming pools, or fountains be sure to factor those into the equation for power usage. Although solar power technology improves year after year, it is still cheaper to install your entire system in a single instance.

Because your home will be isolated, you will not have the ability to rely on the utility grid for backup power. Off grid solar energy systems will require that you purchase a battery storage system. Solar energy systems can only generate power during daylight hours.

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Why is Solar Energy Important

Posted on August 8, 2011 by GuestPoster

The world at present faces a number of concerns. Among them, economic growth continues to be challenged by fluctuating oil caused by increasing global demand, geopolitical conflicts, dwindling reserve and the renewed debate on nuclear energy brought about by the Japan tsunami. Amidst all these, economic activities must proceed lest headways gained fade away.

To reduce reliance on finite energy resource like fossil oil, renewable energy resources have been continuously being tapped around the globe, among them biomass, hydro, ocean, geothermal, wind and solar.

At the outset it is important to know the advantages of solar energy to better understand how it works. Solar energy is derived from solar radiation. Being so, it is capable of being replenished on a regular basis at a rapid rate and consequently is available over an indefinite period of time.  These characteristics of solar energy makes itself accessible even to isolated islands that are not connected to the grid because solar radiation practically reaches every corner of the earth’s surface. With the use of solar technologies like solar panels that are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy directly to electricity, inhabitants of off-grid islands can enjoy life with electricity without having to worry about expensive connections to the main grid. And because solar radiation is a free commodity, consumers can save from electricity bill in the long run especially those who have access to infrastructure that allows selling back of extra electricity generated from solar energy to the electric company.

Worthy of attention also is the environmental advantage of solar energy. Solar is a clean source of energy because it does not emit carbon which poses risks to living things and the surroundings. Unlike with fossil fuel, electricity generated through solar energy can be enjoyed without contributing to the pollution that harms the environment.

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Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Saves you Money

Posted on August 2, 2011 by GuestPoster

Your carbon footprint is your personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This you do in two different ways, although you may not be totally aware of it.

By direct use: Burning fuel for cooking, driving a motor vehicle or consuming electricity.

By indirect use: From the emissions created by the manufacture of the products like plastic bags for groceries, or the fuel burnt to fly in mangoes from Northern Australia or Southern America.

Reducing our carbon footprint should be everybody’s business, especially now, when most of the world’s scientists agree that greenhouse gas emissions play a part in the dangerous, unnatural warming of the earth.

Reducing your carbon footprint is not only good for the environment, but it can also save you money, especially with regards to your direct energy use.

Two simple changes will make your Home more environmentally friendly:

a) Installing double glazing windows. This option will avoid drafts, helping insulate your home much better by keeping the warm air inside.

b) Installing solar panels. The advantages of solar energy are many.It would enable the use of solar energy powered combi boilers to obtain free hot water for your bathrooms, kitchen and swimming pool. Solar energy can be adapted to the already existing swimming pool heaters. It can also be used to heat up your house with radiant floor heating or other methods.

Also you could have solar powered small appliances, solar lights, and even start using solar powered garden lights outdoors.

All these actions can drastically reduce your gas and electricity bills, saving you hundreds each year.

Getting a home energy audit done

The most effective way to benefit from the advantages of solar energy and start reducing your carbon footprint is to first get a home energy audit done. You could do a simple audit yourself, either by taking weekly readings of your electricity meter, or by using a simple handheld power meter, which can tell you how much electricity is used by appliances plugged into your outlets, even when they are turned off. If you prefer, a professional audit can be done, giving you the benefit of their professional opinion on how to reduce your electricity usage.

Here are a few power saving tips:

  • Turn off lights when leaving a room- make it a habit for the entire family.
  • Switch to LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and CFLs (energy savers) instead of regular light bulbs.
  • Unplug appliances when not in use or turn them off at the wall.
  • Unplug battery and phone chargers when not in use.
  • Insulate your ceiling to reduce heating costs
  • Use cold water to wash clothes.
  • Switch to a gas boosted solar water heater when possible, but if not, ensure that your electric heater has an insulating blanket.
  • Seal any cracks around door and window frames.
  • Shade all West facing windows

These cost effective options are a good way to start reducing your carbon footprint. Once you get your home energy audit and have a better idea of how to further reduce your overall expenditure using the advantages of solar energy and you’ll be well on your way to huge savings.

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Factors Influencing Solar Panels Cost

Posted on June 12, 2011 by GuestPoster

Most solar powered systems and DIY solar projects are usually equipped with special solar panels which can be purchased either from solar panel manufacturers directly or from other retailers selling solar devices and systems to consumers. The solar panels cost depends on a number of factors, such as quality, durability, output and size of solar panel arrays. Keep these factors in mind when shopping for solar panels.

Although the average cost of solar panels offered by solar products resellers may be much lower than the price offered by solar panel manufacturers, it may or may not include the price for additional services. Manufacturers of solar panels usually provide their consumers with free consultation services, offer special discounts for installation works, and even buy unspent energy back.  Solar panels cost depends upon the services provided.

The durability of your solar panels is another important factor to consider. While some panels can be worn off even when they are stored at warehouses, others are not subjected to aging and can serve you much longer. Be sure to ask about depreciation parameters when buying solar panels for homes. Solar panels of the highest quality can serve up to 25 years at average capacities, but only solar panel manufacturers can provide such warranty to you.  Cost effective solar panels must be efficient and durable.

Used solar panels can be a good option if you are looking for the cheapest solution to the cost of solar panels for home. Manufacturers often buy back used panels and resell them on much lower prices with all necessary warranties and documentation.

The initial prices for solar panels cost may vary depending on solar panel manufacturers pricing policies. But generally all manufacturers prefer to offer a special price per watt for all solar panels they are selling. Keep in mind that some manufacturers include installation price into initial price, while others prefer not to do so especially if they do not provide installation services at remote locations.

It can be a good idea to ask about all services which are included into the initial price of solar panels in advance. Even though most services are provided for no cost, some companies may include shipping price into initial cost while you might not need this type of services at all.

At the present days the prices for solar panels cost and other solar devices are rather low. It can be explained by the fact that solar technologies are more affordable and less complex than they have ever been before. Nevertheless, comparing all options provided by different solar panel manufacturers can take quite much time, especially if you have never been interested in solar energy before. That is why it is essential to ask for free advice and consultation when buying your first solar panels.

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Hard Facts About Building Solar Panels For Home Use

Posted on May 31, 2011 by GuestPoster

If you like to play around with electrical and electronic stuff, at some point you may have probably thought about building your own solar panels and generating electricity. In this case, when you see advertisements of solar products and look up how much solar panels cost, you might be tempted to build them yourself.

After all there are so many small accessories used for making solar panels for sale in places like Ebay and even local stores with do-it-yourself solar kits.

There are many advantages of building your own solar panels for home use. One is the satisfaction and thrill you get from it, but the coolest thing of building them on your own is that you can work on them as your finances and time allow. You can make them much cheaper than the ready-made panels for sale in stores from companies like Sharp, Sanyo and Sunforce. You get all these in addition to the numerous advantages of solar power itself.

However, before you plunge into this project and spend your hard earned money and time, make sure you know the perils and downside  of building solar panels for home use.

You may not like to hear this, but if you are seriously considering solar power as an energy source for your home, then you will be better off in the long run to buy commercial solar panels and get the supplier to install them.

Solar product suppliers have spent years and massive amounts of money perfecting their final panels before they are put on sale.

Naturally it is hard to expect that the efficiency and durability of the panels you make would be able to compete with those commercial panels.

And those panels for sale have 25 years of warranty! Even if you could build a panel for half the ready-made rate, it’s hard to expect it to last half as long with as much efficient power output. Of course, there are differing opinions on this and it is a judgment call. But anyone who is investing money and time to build their own solar panels should think about this matter too.

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Various Types of Outdoor Solar Lights

Posted on April 26, 2011 by GuestPoster

Solar technology has been around for many years now, and it is widely used in homes and business establishments as an alternative source of energy. Solar energy is commonly used for lighting purposes. Outdoor solar lights are lamps that are incorporated with solar technology. Many people are now using solar powered lights because of the fact that they are capable of producing their own power and you don’t have to worry about the energy cost.

There are many types of outdoor solar lights. These are: Solar accent lights, solar path lights and solar spot lights. Though they are slightly different in design, the workings of these outdoor string lights are similar. The solar cells gather the energy from the sun then convert it to electrical energy, which is then stored in the rechargeable batteries embedded in the device. The batteries are the power source of the LED bulbs when it is activated at night.

Solar accent lights are commonly used in gardens. This device only needs to produce a dim light to add some illumination in your garden. Solar accent lights are among the cheapest of these, because there are only few LED bulbs in the device, the fully charged battery can power the lamp for up to 10 hours or more.

Another type of outdoor solar lights is the solar pathway lights. These solar lights produce a brighter light –compared to the accent lighting– and its main function is to increase the visibility of your walkway or your driveway. The improved photovoltaic cells can continuously recharge even without direct exposure to sunlight.

Solar spot lights are the most expensive. These solar lights are the brightest of all the outdoor solar lights and are typically used in areas where security is a concern. Spot lights are also used in gardens or other outdoor areas that need a high level of lighting.

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Why you should use a solar lamp post for your home

Posted on April 22, 2011 by GuestPoster

Have you considered adding a few lamp posts to the end of your driveway to light it up for when you get home after dark but aren’t quite sure how to go about it? Or even if it’s worth all the hassle? Adding lighting to your driveway not only makes your home look nicer, it also increases the security of your home so no one breaks in and steals your valuables when you aren’t there.

If you don’t want to go through the expense and bother of hiring a contractor to install traditional lamp posts at the end of your driveway you might want to consider using a solar lamp post instead. Not only are they easier to install but they are very decorative as well. Up until about ten years ago you wouldn’t have the option of using solar energy for small lighting projects for your home but with recent advancements in solar technology they are now just as good as traditional lighting systems. The only downside is that if your light doesn’t receive enough sunlight during the day to charge it, your light will be a bit dimmer than normal after a few hours of being on at night.

There are a few reasons you should choose a solar lamp post instead of a traditional lamp post.

  1. Ease of installation: Instead of digging trenches in your yard to lay cable to supply and all that bother, you literally just stick them into the ground at the end of your driveway.
  2. Cost: If you do some comparison shopping you’ll realize that they are actually cheaper than a electrical lamp post because you don’t need to buy electrical wire and pay someone to hook it up to your homes power supply.
  3. You save money: Because it’s a solar powered light you don’t pay for electricity.
  4. Eco friendly: You’re not polluting the environment by using power from the electric company.
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The Advantages Of LED Patio String Lights

Posted on April 20, 2011 by GuestPoster

Outdoor patio string lights are a wonderful technique to turn a dull and drab outdoor space into a glitzy and attractive venue. These lights can be utilized either as a main supply of light or simply to lend an aesthetic appeal to the open space.

Nowadays many home owners are looking for alternatives that will lower their electricity bills.

Solar energy powered outdoor strings lights

One option that is getting extremely popular is the string lights that are power-driven by solar energy. They are commonly known as solar patio string lights. This type of lightning is a fantastic and inexpensive means to decorate the patio. These lights convert the rays of the sun into energy and use it efficiently to light up the patio.

They are gaining immense popularity since they do not need electricity and you need not worry about the escalating power bills.

If you already have installed solar panels in your roof, you just need to connect your outdoor strings lights to them. Many of these solar string lights already come with their own attached solar panel that you can place yourself in the area that receives more sun light during the day.  Depending on the kind of lights and their voltage, the solar panels will be bigger or smaller.

These solar outdoor strings lights lead to substantial amount of savings for people who like to use their outdoor spaces during late evenings. Solar lights have also eliminated the irritating electrical wires that were always dangerous for kids or older people that could trip over them in your yard.

Led patio string lights benefits

Another aspect that is emerging rapidly is environmental consciousness. There are so many uses of solar power for homes that paved the way for the invention and popularity of led patio string lights. They have been rated as a highly efficient and eco-friendly type of lightning. They make use of the least amount of energy in comparison to the glowing bulbs. They have huge conveniences, longevity and can easily last for about ten years without the need to change them.

The bulbs used in the led lightning are much cooler than their electrical counterparts. As a result, neither do they add to the heat of the summer sun nor depict any danger from coming in contact with anything combustible.

This type of outdoor lightning is available in several colors and generates a great deal of more light. They are available in a variety of shapes, such as butterfly, football shaped lights and many such options.  You can buy these lights either from a neighbourhood store or order from a variety of online alternatives.

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Solar Power For Homes – Adopt The Change

Posted on April 4, 2011 by GuestPoster

We all know that the reserves of non-renewable sources of energy are fast depleting, which is why the whole world is looking to switch to much cleaner and dependable sources of energy like wind and  solar energy. Non-renewable sources of energy are not only expensive but they also cause a great deal of pollution, which is very harmful for planet Earth.

With the advancement in science and technology in recent years, it is now possible and feasible to harness the Sun’s energy to our advantage. There are various benefits of using solar power for homes. Solar power is widely available in all parts of the world at no extra cost.

The only thing that is needed to convert this energy into a more practical and useful form of energy, is the equipment and storage facility, which is the only investment. The conventional grid power supplied by the energy companies, is subject to availability and its rates are rising day by day. You need to pay these energy bills every month. However, the solar energy is free, apart from the initial investment needed to install a solar power panel where this energy can be converted to electrical energy for running several electrical appliances in the home.

The capacity of the solar power panel depends on the needs of the user. If you want to run multiple appliances in your home, you can install a panel that is large in capacity to absorb the sun light and store the same after it is converted to the useful form. If you do not use the excess of electrical energy produced at your home, you can even sell the extra produced to the nearest power station. Thus, you will be earning good amount of money from it. These solar power facts make it clear that in the coming years, the world is going to witness a huge dependence on solar energy to accomplish its basic needs and purposes.

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Solar Power For Your Home

Posted on March 16, 2011 by GuestPoster

Alternative choices for energy sources –rather than those offered by the grid–, are becoming more mainstream as they offer more options to home owners. These days, more and more people are switching on to solar energy as a great way to save money,  making your home more energy-efficient, and contributing to the betterment of the environment. The savings are considerable and long lasting, as the source is free and sustainable.

For those who live in more remote areas away from the grid, solar energy can be a real and viable source of power. Not only is the generation of energy using solar sources easy to manage and set up, but it is also clean.  There is no environmental impact from harvesting the natural energy of the sun. It is also a silent method of power generation due to the lack of moving parts, which are a source of noise and a cause of breakdowns in other types of energy generation systems.

As another example, if you own a swimming pool, using a solar pool cover will help you reduce costs.  Not only will reduce heat loss, but also the evaporation  issues which are so troublesome for most pools, be they indoor or outdoor.

Establishing solar energy as a power alternative for your home does not have to cost the earth either. There are great options for those who have handyman skills and would like to look into DIY solar panels as another money saving measure. It is cheap and easy to do, well explained in detail, no need for complicated skills and using readily available tools and easily obtained materials.

So if you are concerned about the rising cost of energy, consider solar power for homes. It is a clean, low maintenance alternative and is easily adaptable to your power needs. Solar power offers the home owner excellent options and savings.

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How to Evaluate Solar Power Cost

Posted on March 15, 2011 by GuestPoster

Are you planning on getting a solar power electric system installed in your home? If so, don’t immediately contact the contractors without first doing your own evaluation of the solar power cost. By doing so, you will find out which system of solar power for homes is suitable for you. Think about it:  If your main concern is cutting back on power costs -this is indeed possible–,but if you do not have enough solar panels installed, the whole house would still not get the needed electricity to properly operate all of the appliances and equipment. Due to this reason –if you are planning to make solar energy your main source of energy –, you should look into the total cost when all things are setup altogether.

To know how many solar panels you need to purchase, you have to take into consideration the type of appliances you are currently using in your home. Are you using air conditioners? Do you know your appliance’s power requirements? You should as these questions to yourself and consider these factors for they are the ones that help determine the overall solar power cost. You should also look into the area where you will place your solar panels and see if  there is sufficient sunlight.

It is also important to know how many inverters you will need. In addition, it is also imperative that you find out your panel brand and quality. Be sure to consider the enlisted factors for they serve as your guide to know how many solar panels you need. Although your main target is to increase your savings, just make sure that the efficiency of the system is not sacrificed. Consider that if you do not get the outcome that you expected from installing a solar power system in your home, the whole process will be useless.

If you find that you don’t have sufficient sunlight or the cost is too great, another option to evaluate would be a zero point magnetic power generator. They are a great alternative energy source.

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Alternative Energy Today

Posted on March 9, 2011 by GuestPoster

Solar power companies are consistently creating cutting edge sunlight powered products, allowing our buildings to grow more renewable, which will bring down our power bills. To take advantage of solar power equipment joining the marketplace, you should be able to appreciate the essential blocks that make up solar powered equipment. There are typical ingredients present in all solar systems; from a straightforward solar powered fountain to the solar powered house. This article provides some quick solar energy facts about a solar power supply, a possible load, as well as an example of the use of solar energy.

Power Sources

Solar Power

Installing solar power panels is rapidly becoming the most accepted alternative electric power supply for residential use.
People increasingly become more receptive to this model of technology, and the demand is growing accordingly. When marketplace demand rises, manufacturers are stimulated to create the newest and most ingenious product while at the same time lowering the purchase price. It is now attainable to learn how to construct solar panel systems for house use, or to purchase them for around one dollar for watt. This is a substantial milestone in alternative electrical power as it now shows ‘grid parity’ , as the cost of using home-based solar technology has become very competitive with the price of energy provided by electricity companies.

Electric Loads

Inverter
Almost like grid power, the inverter will change the DC energy in the solar electric battery (such as deep-cycle car batteries at walmart) in line with alternating current that will work to run your own appliances. There have been many cutting edge improvements and some of these systems have progressively decreased in cost. You can now purchase a new four hundred watt inverter for about fourty dollars. This could very easily run 2 laptops.

Before buying one of a few of these, make sure you check out customer evaluations. Inexpensive inverters may discharge hazardous harmonics that could harm your cell phones or laptop computers.

Installations

Marine and Rv
Recreational vehicles and motorboats move, so they do not have a grid interconnection –like a typical home– in order to recharge their batteries. If this connection can be found at the deck or gas station at no cost, the rewards derived from solar power offer you a faster payback or break-even point for vehicles utilizing solar energy. Due to this, there are far more applications for watercraft or motorhomes as compared to house usage.

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Tabletop Tiki Torches

Posted on February 18, 2011 by GuestPoster

Tabletop tiki torches easily allow you to have light as well as bug protection at the table level.  These torches add the low light ambiance of a candle, but can also provide bug repellent properties and some warmth.  When planning for any outdoor evening get together, from a party to a casual evening with friends, tabletop tiki torches can be the perfect option.

Complement these torches with some staked tiki patio lights around your patio or yard to fully light the area where you are hosting the event. Use tabletop versions to show off food or highlight important areas like where the utensils or plates are located.

When using tabletop torches, be sure to keep them away from food. You do not want the poisonous torch fuel coming in contact with anything you are going to eat.  You also want to keep these low-lying torches out of arms reach of children and pets. When planning for table placement, place the torches out of the arm reaching distance. You don’t want someone to catch their arm or sleeve when reaching for food or a drink.  Using a torch with a globe or covering might be the safest bet for a table surface.

As always, after use, make sure the torch is fully extinguished.  If the torch comes with an extinguishing cap, place the cap over the lit end and hold for about 1 minute to make sure the flame is completely out. If you are planning on storing your torches for long periods of time, consider removing the fuel. You may have to do some research to recycle the unused fuel, but it will be better in the long run than having torches filled with fuel sitting in your garage or shed.

Outdoor tiki torches that require batteries and fuel can be somewhat high maintenance for everyday use. The easiest torches for tabletop use are solar torches. Since these solar garden lights are flameless, you will not have to worry about them burning your guests.  Low voltage outdoor lighting requires no fuel, so you do not have to be concerned if they come into contact with food. Since they do not run on fuel or batteries, they are better for the environment and easier for overall maintenance.

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Solar Lights for the Entire Family

Posted on February 18, 2011 by GuestPoster

Everybody loves to have a barbecue with their friends and family in the summertime. If you did not have some type of outdoor light to keep the fun going, you were going to have to call it a night. Thanks to the solar decking light, this is no longer a problem. Homeowners will tell you that this is a wonderful invention.

A solar light is basically a light that is charged by the sun during the day and automatically turns itself on at night. This is a great option for people who do not want to have extension cords strung through their entire yard. They also will not have to worry about paying extra for a power bill.

If this is something that you are interested in, go to your local hardware store and you can most likely find a wide variety of solar lights for less than five dollars each. This is going to be the most affordable option to keep your outdoor area well lit.

It is always a good idea to make sure that your solar lights have at least eight hours of sun every day. This way, you can be certain that you are not going to run out of light before the sun comes up. When you choose to have solar decking lights, you will be able to know exactly what is happening in your yard when it is dark outside.

A burglar is not going to be tempted by your home when your yard is properly lit, even if it is low voltage outdoor lighting. This is definitely a cheaper way to have a security system. You can shop online to find the different options that are available to you. By doing this, you will be sure to find something that fits your taste. If you prefer, you may also purchase a light cover for your solar lights.

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