Did you know people all over the world are saving a fortune by taking advantage of solar power light fixtures? Today, you can do much more than simply buy lamps that run on solar power. Instead, you can generate your own solar energy, and use it to power every single conventional lamp in your home. In order to start reaping the rewards of harnessing solar energy, all you need to do is learn how to build your own solar energy generating system.
Do you need a gradual plan to help you go "off the grid". Chances are, you feel like many other people that are taking their first tenuous steps away from commercial electricity. After all, who wants to be stuck in the dark, and without an electric company to blame? When you join solar power forums, you will meet hundreds of others who are dealing with the same fears and concerns.
It is important to realize that you have nothing to lose by relying on solar power light and energy. That is, unless you are going to miss paying all those huge electric bills that sap your budget worse than a vampire having a midnight snack. Why go on living in fear, when you can embrace all the freedoms and rewards that come with harnessing solar energy? Don't you want to be a free citizen and enjoy all the good things money is supposed to buy?
As you may be aware, even people that currently rely on solar energy were once in your shoes. They had to take all those small tedious steps that eventually helped them gain energy independence. Today, they are ready to help set you free of endless energy bills, as well as reliance on environmentally damaging commercial energy systems. While you are benefiting from their expert advice, you will also have an opportunity to interact with others that are going through the same process of liberation.
Carl Ackerman is an expert on alternative energy and director of popular blog HomemadeEnergyForYou.Com. He provides honest information and advice on things like solar power cost and much more. Check out his blog for more info!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Ackerman
Some Ways to Make Use of Solar Power Light
Solar Panel Installation Procedure
Define: Solar Panels
Solar panels are special devices capable of capturing the light emitted by the sun and convert the absorbed light into the electricity. Solar panels are the most important equipments of the solar power system. Therefore, one should always choose the highest quality of solar panels regardless of the selection of the installation process.
Solar Panels Installation: The Process
Once you have decided to install solar panels at your home or office, gathering relevant information is must. Educate yourself a bit to develop an understanding to choose the best to complete the entire installation process. Gathering information is important as different solar panel brands need to be installed differently. Also, the installation process of solar panels varies with their sizes. Hence, a good understanding is important while installing solar panels.
You can hire a professional installer if you are not able to install the system of your own. Usually, installing the panel without prior experience is not safe as it could be a risky job to do. For example, if you are planning to install the solar panels onto the roof, you should be careful about handling the wires and other equipments used in the process. You may have to climb ladders and do such works, so prepare yourself or take the help of professional installers who holds some experience in the solar panel installation process.
In general, solar panels are installed on a low pitched shingle or metal roof. However, many people prefer installing their panels on a flat roof..
Avail the best quality solar panels that work on solar power only at SolarCellDepot
Solar power or solar energy is nothing new for anyone. It is a well known fact that sun is the main source of solar energy. There are several ways in which the solar energy of sun is used. But for using it in large proportion solar panels are used. Solar power can be very effective in many ways if it is used in the proper manner. Solar power can prove very useful as it can solve the problem of electricity which is the matter of concern for everyone. Solar power is environment friendly too so its usage will enhance the environment also.
Solar panels are one of the best options for using solar power in great proportion. For buying good solar panels which can serve your need for a longer period of time, you can visit SolarCellDepot. This company is very reliable and is among the best choices you can get.
SolarCellDepot helps you in utilizing the sun’s energy by providing you the appliances that works on solar energy.
There are several other benefits which insist the customers to visit SolarCellDepot, let us discuss some of them:
Total Security: the most important advantage that you can avail while shopping at SolarCellDepot is to get the pleasure to deal with the store that is known for its reliability. While shopping at SolarCellDepot, you can feel relaxed for the best quality and at the best prices.
Cost and electricity efficient: it is a well known fact that solar power is produced through solar panels that works on solar energy. This solar power can help you in saving a big amount of money and at the same time will help you to save electricity also. Solar panels can be used to fulfill the electricity needs of a house or even a building. For meeting higher needs of electricity, solar panels can be combined to form a solar array. A solar array can easily fulfill a large need of electricity.
Environment friendly: the solar panels which they provide to the customers are very efficient in producing solar power and at the same time they are also environment friendly. Solar panels are very helpful in reducing a huge amount of burden from the environment.
Live chat: this company also provides the facility of live online chat support to the customers so that they may not face any kind of trouble. One can easily get the answer of any of queries related to solar panels or anything else related to solar power. There are professionals who are waiting to help you and to provide answer to any of the queries. All you have to do is to visit SolarCellDepot and discuss about your queries.
Wide range of choice: this company also provides a wide range of choice to the customers. They have the solar panels of latest technology which can capture a large amount of solar energy and thus can be extra efficient.
Quality products: this company is not new to the market and is well renowned for its quality products. You can completely rely on this company for quality solar powered products. The products of this company are very reliable and can easily serve you for more than 25 years.
About the author:
So, use solar panels to save your money and electricity as they work on environment friendly solar power which is produced by the solar energy of the sun.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Photovoltaic Building - Homemade Solar Cheaply and Easily
Photovoltaic building is becoming more and more popular as energy costs soar for households around the nation and around the world. Today you are going to learn how you can have homemade solar for less than $200, and save thousands of dollars of the cost of having someone else build and install a home solar panel for you. With a small amount of work on your part, you can save massive amounts of money off your power bill, reduce your carbon footprint and possibly even remove yourself off the grid demand. If that happens, you can actually sell back excess power to your power company, meaning that you will receive checks from them, not you having to send away your hard earned money at the end of the month to pay for electricity. For proper photovoltaic building, you will need the following things- * Solar Cells. These are the main component of your homemade solar panel, as these are effectively the little factories where the sun's energy is turned into power that can be used in your home. Purchase these off eBay in bulk so you can make plenty of solar panels whenever you need to. * Plywood. This can be easily obtained from DIY stores in large quantities and is easy to cut and shape. * Copper wire. Buy this online from eBay, or from a local DIY/hardware store. * Woodworking glue, screws, drills, screwdrivers, saws. Most people will have these tools in their toolboxes anyway. * Sheet Glass. This is used to provide a cover for the photovoltaic cells to protect them from damage from weather. If you live somewhere that is prone to extreme weather then I would suggest using clear plastic or PVC sheeting. Check in a local business directory to see where you can purchase this. * Photovoltaic building plans. These are absolutely necessary as they provide the blueprints, measurements and diagrams you need to be able to assemble and install the above components correctly. Also, you will need them to install your homemade solar panel into your house's electricity system properly and safely. The good news is that these plans can be obtained very inexpensively over the Internet. Click here to learn more about plans for solar energy in your home, including how much you will need to spend, what your power bill reductions will be, as well as what the best photovoltaic building plans are. Jeff Palmer is an economist, but has also worked in the alternative energy industry since its early days, installing and helping to develop mainly solar and wind power generation systems. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_A._Palmer
The Sun As Threat To Your Photovoltaic System
The sun as threat to your solar array?, you might wonder if my brain suffered from working in the sun. Still the sun can cause your system to fail if you don't take the necessary precautions. So what am I talking about?
The sun can really damage your solar system, in fact the energy conversion losses in the form of heat can do that job. But there are creative methods to turn this potential killer into a bonus to your free energy supply.
Boy This is Frustrating!!!
Let assume that you invested heavily and a 1000 Wp Photovoltaic System is your proudly covering your roof. Summer comes and you can't wait to see all those free Watts chew chunks of your energy bill.
During the most beautiful long summer days your systems seems to vigorously under perform. 70 - 80 % or 700 - 800 Watts is what you get out. Since you have been monitoring your system prior to the summer heat you have seem it churn out that 1 kW so you know its possible, yet when the circumstances seem ideal it just will not deliver.
What is wrong
If your panels are easily accessibly you can feel the problem. Touch them on one of these perfect summer days! Boy, they are hot. Yes they are and there you have your answer. Heat, solar radiation, heat from the energy conversion process and heat because of resistance.
Whenever a high current is running through a conductor, or a conducting semiconductor it will cause it to heat up. Just think of the processor in your computer. Add the suns radiation on an absorbing surface like the dark colored solar panels and you will understand why it gets hot. A semiconductor, what your panel actually is, has the characteristic of being increasingly less effective as the temperature rises.
Check outputs when the panels are cool.
You can check that when a cold front passes. there you will have a few minutes of intense sunlight followed by clouds, you will see peak outputs during those sunny intervals. When the arrays are cool.
What lesson is there to be learned
Well we can approach it as an unwelcome yet unavoidable problem, and to counteract this unwanted effect to some extend optimize the ventilation under your panels or see it as an opportunity to achieve an even greater energy efficiency. I suggest you do both.
But allow it get your mind spinning as well. Heat means energy. Spray you panels so they cool down and you will end up with a higher output and warm water. There are a great many ways that you could use this access heat. Cooling, Heating water or your pool, driving a stirling engine to name a few. There are no right or wrong ways, try to be creative about the idea and who knows what comes up.
The fact remains that the heat we generated as by product of our electricity production can be a serious threat to your system. The temperature of a semiconductor has to stay within certain boundaries. If not it will not only diminish the efficiency of your solar array but will potentially destroy it.
Yes, now we are real energy producers with the same problems the big guys from the electricity companies have. How do we keep our systems cool.
In our blog you can find an entry where we discuss another threat to our system. Although the result is heat, it deals about partials shadows falling over your string.
Right, the sun as potential killer of solar systems, but only if we can't find ways to either eliminate that energy or put it to use. Since we have to do something the latter sounds the best to me.
Hans is author of many writings and studies about wind turbines and turbine development and expert in Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems He actively involved in the development and generation of new ideas as well as in investment opportunities in the field of renewable energy resources. He can be found at http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker
What you ought to know before going solar in a new house?
We encourage everyone to go into solar, but you have to look at some general considerations before you’ll buy and use your solar system...
The best opportunity to go solar is when you move to a new home. This will give you the chance to design and orient the way you are going to use solar power at your place. A green oriented home build in a way it can admits the sun power at the winter for decreasing heating costs and rejecting overhead sun rays in the summer to reduce the cooling bills. Your architect should consider these principles when remodeling the house. A mere 5 degrees alternation in the home orientation can save thousands of dollars.
Connecting to solar grid
It is common in the US to buy electricity from renewable energy resources, including solar power, wind farms, plants oil, geothermal energy and more. The electricity grid usually allow you to get your energy from such sources, and moving to such green energy suppliers is a good way to go green. This is a way to use clean energy without buying the equipment. However, using your own equipment, however expensive, can save you money in the future, and give you independence
Your own power.
If a after building your home energy efficient you still have high bills, and your area is sunny enough, you might consider producing your own electricity with PV panels. The technology is being developed all the time, and new solar panel are available that can integrate with your roof, without much visibility.
Generating your electrical energy from the sun with a PV panels is much easier than it appears. Don’t let somebody tell you it’s complicated – it really isn’t. Just little knowledge will get you started on ordering the right components. For installation, you can hire an experienced solar installer, or if you have some basic electrical skills you can even do it yourself.
Just don’t forget that there are some building rules and regulations you have to follow.
Solar House Plans For Living Off Grid
The world is committing crime. Every moment of every day, we consume oil. We shed blood, and kill Earth to burn oil as energy. Why? When the same energy is attainable free from the sun! The Technology within the solar industry is here and now. It's ready to take on the largest portion of household energy requirements. The only thing preventing you from capturing your own solar energy is the cost.
Consumers generally have two priorities when installing a solar panel system. First, that the system be economical and second, that the system produce as much solar energy as possible. Some consumers have a cost-is-no-option mentality. In that case, we integrate the best current technology in the solar industry to install a solar panel system producing maximum solar energy by today's standards.
As of May 2008, an efficient solar panel system for a 2000 sq. ft. home costs $13,000 - $15,000 after tax rebates and incentives.
The solar industry is totally unorganized. In a nutshell, here are the ropes that one must jump through in order to receive rebates. Each state has their own certified systems that our able to receive the State tax rebate. Uncertified systems must go through a slow certification process.
In other words, your brand of solar panels may not be rebate worthy in another State (as if it were another country) because that brand has not yet been certified. So, in each State, every solar panel must go through a very long process to become market ready, within that particular State.
A national certification will ease these issues, enable more solar panel installations, and hence drop the price of the technology. Striking the price range of more consumers is key for the solar outfitting of the United States.
U.S. Installation Requirements. Here is the next major obstacle. A Licensed, NABCEP Licensed Contractor must install a State certified solar panel system for you to qualify for the full tax incentives and rebates offered in your community. Unfortunately, there are only 60 new North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners licenses granted annually. That needs to change to meet installation demands.
One of the NABCEP Licensed contractors in our network will guarantee quality and assurance throughout the installation of your system. We will do whatever it takes to get a NABCEP certified installer out to your project to grant you the 30% tax rebate. We will send a certified installation team to your region within six months of your request.
Currently, solar panel installation/distribution companies can operate in California and achieve something remarkable. The phenomenon of selling solar panels at higher retail prices than any other state sells solar panels. But due to the state rebates, Californians pay thousands less for their solar panel systems.
This has caused a clot of solar businesses in the state of California, meanwhile the rest of the country is starving for licensed NABCEP solar contractors and solar panel system distributors to start the grass roots effect in the other 49 states. The demand exists.
How Do Solar Panel (Photovoltaic) Systems Work? A photovoltaic (PV) or solar cell is the basic building block of a Solar Panel (or solar electric) system. An individual PV cell is usually quite small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power. To boost the power output of PV cells, we connect them together to form larger units called modules. Modules, in turn, can be connected to form even larger units called arrays or Solar Panel Systems. In this way, we can build systems able to meet any electric power need, no matter how small or large.
Almost all of today's solar cell modules do not concentrate sunlight but use only what the sun produces naturally, what researchers call "one sun insolation," which achieves an efficiency of 12 to 18 percent. However, by using an optical concentrator, sunlight intensity can be increased, squeezing more electricity out of a single solar cell.
Solar Panel Distribution. As a distributor for several major solar panel manufacturers, we are able to offer our clients the best possible solar panel system solution economically and technologically. We will give you system options based on your economical needs or technological needs for those who desire the best most efficient "cost-is-no-option" system for your home or business.
The solar industry has been unforgiving for many solar panel distribution/installation businesses for the past ten years. With constant technological advancements and a rapid price drop in the solar panel industry, businesses have been caught between a rock, and a hard place owning pallets of out-of-date, over priced, solar panels.
We have found the solution to that problem by collaborating with manufacturers that enable per-job distribution. Many of these manufacturers have research and development laboratories capable of producing new solar panels with higher wattage and module efficiency every few months.
It is crucial that the best possible solar panel system be installed in your home or business for either economic or technological reasons. Consumers generally have two priorities when installing a solar panel system. First, that the system be economical and second, that the system produce as much solar energy as possible. Some consumers have a cost-is-no-option mentality. In that case, we integrate the best current technology in the solar industry to install a solar panel system producing maximum solar energy by today's standards.
Making Solar Power Cheaper Through Net Metering
Solar power is a renewable energy source that is extremely popular, but has a cost problem. Net metering is a concept the government is currently using to offset this problem.
The government tries to promote certain conduct in two ways. First it makes things illegal such as drug use. Second, it creates financial incentives and penalties to try to guide our conduct. Taxes on cigarettes, for instance, are high and try to motivate us not to smoke. Tax credits offered for the purchase of hybrid cars is an example of using incentives to promote an activity.
When it comes to solar energy, the government realizes that there is a cost problem. It tries to resolve this in a number of ways. The first is to offer tax credits for buying solar panel systems. Tax credits are a tremendous financial benefit. They work by reducing the tax you owe dollar for dollar. For instance, you might figure out your taxes for this year and find out you owe the IRS $5,000. If you can claim a tax credit for $2,000, you would end up owing the government $3,000. In short, the credit is much more powerful than a mere tax deduction.
Another area where financial incentives are offered on solar is net metering. Net metering is simply the concept of selling energy back to a utility company at the same rate it sells it to you. This concept goes a long way to making solar energy competitive. Here’s how it works.
Assume you buy a solar panel system for your home. Your high energy needs tend to happen early in the morning and later in the afternoon. During the week, you have nominal energy needs during the day when you are at work. So, what happens to the energy being produced by the solar panels during the day? Well, you can sell it back to the utility company. This is called being “on grid”, with the grid being the platform the utility uses to deliver energy to communities. With net metering, the energy produced by your panels is fed back into the grid. Your utility meter literally spins backwards. You are selling electricity to the utility during the day. At night, you draw energy off the grid. The end result is you owe little or nothing to the utility company at the end of the month. This will save you a thousand dollars or so each year.
Net metering is currently a state concept. While over 40 states have laws on the books requiring utilities to allow net metering, there is no federal standard. That may be about to change. Federal law now requires all states to consider whether they wish to enact net metering legislation by 2008. Most are expected to pass such laws. When this occurs, net metering will be a cost cutting solution to the solar power energy problem, making it a more viable energy source for you and me.
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - a directory of solar energy companies.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
Portable Solar Energy Power Stations
Portable solar energy power stations have many practical uses, which we will discuss later, but what is portable solar power?
Description of Portable Solar Power
Portable solar power is energy generated from sunlight, the generator being of a size and form that can be moved readily from place to place.
Most portable solar power units use photovoltaic panels (PV panels) in one way or another. Some are amazingly small, and can be carried in a pocket, while others must be moved on a flat-bed trailer or truck.
Examples of Portable Solar Power
You may already be using portable solar power without realizing it. The following are examples of different sizes and styles of portable solar power.
1. Pocket calculators have been using portable solar power for years. Expose the calculator to sunlight, and it stores solar power for use. You can then carry this solar power into a field or up a mountain track.
2. Garden lights, or lights around a swimming pool now use portable solar power. If you want to rearrange your lights, or you decide to carry one as a flashlight, the portable solar power goes with you.
3. A multipurpose portable solar power unit is the fold-out solar panel that can be carried in a case the size of your day planner. Wherever you take it, you can open the panel to charge your cell phone battery, GPS, or other similar "gadget" you carry.
4. "Powerfilm" products are paper-thin PV panels – further examples of portable solar power. These products can be easily carried to charge almost all Lithium, NiCad or NiMH batteries. You can recharge batteries for boom boxes at the beach or while camping. You can recharge your digital camera or camcorder while on a hike. As long as you have sunlight, you have portable solar power.
5. Flexible PV panels, rugged and durable, give portable solar power for hikers and campers. This portable solar power can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and then set up anywhere. You can drop it, step on it, dampen it while crossing a stream – and it will still give you power.
6. Larger portable solar energy power stations can consist of one or more photovoltaic panels (PV panels), simple wiring for the input jack, and a battery – sometimes referred to as a power pack. A commercially-produced portable solar power unit like this may also include a small fluorescent light, and a connection to your vehicle's cigarette lighter plug.
Examples of Innovative Portable Solar Power
Portable solar energy can, as we said, be carried with you. It can provide electrical energy when you travel to a remote third world village on business. It can provide military units with necessary electrical energy while they are on the move. It can power a small heater in a winter camping tent, or provide a reading light for campers. It is valuable and convenient.
As our demand for that value and convenience increases, portable solar power is becoming more innovative. Portable solar power is being added to clothing and backpacks. It is being added to handbags. You need never worry about cell phones, laptops or other electronics going dead again. Portable solar power is yours to use, anywhere, free.
Did you know about these products? Some are experimental, but others area on the market.
1. If you want "lady-like" portable solar power, you might choose the "Power Purse" as a lovely accessory. This purse is more than an accessory, though. It can power up small electronics. Designed by Joe Hynek in a handbag competition, this little black bag is covered with laminated portable solar power panels. It has a short plastic handle, and can easily be carried anywhere. Imagine the possibilities.
2. But a purse is not always appropriate. If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a field, you might be happy to have the "Juice Bag" backpack on your shoulders. A Juice Bag is a worldwide patented portable solar power backpack. Flexible ballistic nylon solar panels make it lighter than solar bags with stiff glass solar panels. Take off your Juice Bag when you need to recharge items such as cameras, cell phones, or GPS units. It generates electricity in both direct and indirect sunlight.
3. Portable solar power is also available in a cozy jacket with multiple pockets. Hikers, military personnel, and travelers can fill the pockets with cell phone, GPS, laptop, camera, and other electronic devices. Then slip the 3 ounce portable solar power panel into a special holder on the back of the jacket, and you can generate energy for your electronics.
Portable solar energy power stations make use of these ideas and more. They may be large enough to generate sufficient electrical power for a small village, or small enough to be carried by a child. Whichever it is, portable solar power is definitely "on the go" in many places and in many ways.
Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about portable solar power at http://www.solar-energy-connection.com. Anna has also posted articles on that site about portable solar power for homes. If you want basic information about solar power on cars, you won’t want to miss her article on the subject.
What if you could print solar panel using magic polymers?
New Polymer materials technology might lower the cost of electricity production using solar technology to below $1 per watt for the first time. This will finally enable mass-market, portable applications for photo-voltaic technology.
In the last technology report of Nature photonics, a new technology of materials for photovoltaic panel was introduced by Russell Gaudiana and Christoph Brabec.
Most of the photoactive materials used for photovoltaics in the past focused on silicon, which in fact dominates the commercial solar-energy field today. In recent years several other materials were tested as cheaper candidates for solar panel for instance amorphous silicon (a-Si), copper indiumgallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe). All of these are now in different stages of commercialization. They all received the nick name: " thin-film technologies ", and they are considered cheaper in means of manufacturing and production throughput. These technology are expected to lower the consts of electricity production by solar devices to less than 1$ per watt.
However, a new technology has a better potential to dramatically lower the costs of solar energy production. This technology called "Bulk hetero-junction technology" is based on organic materials which are organic semiconductors, used as replacement to silicon. These new materials can be printed over sheets, with available roll-to-roll coating and printing techniques. This technology uses " abundantly available non-toxic materials, is based on a scalable production process with high productivity, and requires low investment from the manufacturer.
The idea is to use two different semiconductors called "p" and "n" with different conductance properties. Printing them together creates an electric device called diode. On light absorption, photo-induced charges are produced by ultra-fast charge transfer (few femto-seconds) between the two semiconductor types.
This technology encompasses carbon-based materials to use as "donor" and "acceptor" of electrons in the systems. The most popular class of organic donor molecules are conjugated polymers, like polythiophenes, polyfluorenes or polycarbazoles. The choice for acceptors is much narrower — for more than 10 years substituted fullerenes have given by far the best performance.
The advantage that separates this technology from all of the others is its compatibility with high-speed and low-temperature roll-to-roll processing. The procedures are similar to those used in the printing and coating industry in that solutions of the active materials, dissolved in organic solvents or water, are applied to a plastic sheet by means of a coating applicator.
Various printing and coating technologies have proven their compatibility with organic semiconductor processing, like flexo printing, gravure printing, screen printing, slot die coating and ink-jet printing.
Many advances in the past few years were done to improve the polymers efficiency and means of production. For more details, you should read this article at nature photonics VOL 2 MAY 2008 www.nature.com/naturephotonics
great movie - solar energy breaktrough
This movie present new technological advances of Israeli scientists,working on solar energy power production. They present new kind of panel and a sophisticated method to generate energy. Israel is one of the leading companies of solar energy technologies, but the government failed to hold these technology innovations and use it to their own purposes.
watch:
Israel should use the great skills of its scientists and lead the world forward toward a better solar future.
Portable Solar Power Systems – Keep Your Computer, Camera and More Charged With the Sun
By: Solar Matt
If you are like millions of Americans, you love to be on the go, enjoying the great outdoors. More and more Americans spend good portions of their summers at camps, camping in the wilderness, or hiking. Unfortunately, the realities of our day to day lives make it very hard to leave the world behind for more than a few hours, let alone a whole weekend, or more.
I came across two Portable Solar Power Systems from a company called Silicon Solar when I was searching the internet for a great present for one of my friends this past week. They offer two different Portable Solar Power Systems; a Large Portable Solar Power System and a Small Portable Solar Power System.
The Small Portable Solar Power System is perfect for small electronic devices like cell phones, PDAs, MP3 Players, rechargeable batteries, and small cameras. The Small Portable Solar Power System includes a small solar panel, a small sealed-lead acid battery and a 75W inverter with a single AC outlet (like you would find in your home). The inverter turns the DC power generated by your Solar Panel, and stored in your battery into the typical AC power that normal household appliances use to recharge and operate. You can purchase the Small Portable Solar Power System for under $150.
The Large Portable Solar Power System features a larger Solar Panel, larger battery for additional storage and charging capacity, and a 400 watt DC to AC Inverter with two standard AC outlets, which allows you to charge or use two different electronic devices at the same time. The Large Portable Solar Power System is great for charging all of the smaller electronic devices that the small Portable Solar Power System charges, as well as some larger devices like laptop computers, portable DVD players, Sewing Machines, and much, much more. And, the Large Portable Solar Power System comes with a number of different Solar Panels to choose from – depending of how much power you really need, and the best part? It costs under $350.
Both of these Portable Solar Power Systems are incredibly portable and lightweight, and can be toted from place to place in the included carrying cases. If you, like millions of Americans, need the power to stay connected to your busy life while you are enjoying some peace and quiet in the great outdoors, one of these Portable Solar Power Systems is probably the right choice for you. You can find these, and hundreds of other great Solar Products from Silicon Solar at their website; www.siliconsolar.com.
Silicon Solar Inc www.siliconsolar.com 800.653.8540
Nanosolar a leader in the drive to make solar affordable -
Nanosolar has developed proprietary technology that makes it possible to simply roll-print solar cells that require only 1/100th as thick an absorber as a silicon-wafer cell yet deliver similar performance and durability. Efficient and durable thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) and innovated production throughput deliver the world’s most cost-efficient solar electricity cell.
According to their home page, Nanosolar is on track to make solar electricity:
* cost-efficient for ubiquitous deployment
* mass-produced on a global scale
* available in many versatile forms
The spray-on film is printed on a material that can be rolled out on any surface, so it could be built into building materials such as roof tiles and windows.
Nanosolar says that their panels will be the world's lowest-cost solar panel, selling for as little as $.99/Watt
great video about israel's new solar technologies
This video present a nice overview of isreal great technologies for solar power. this small country is lack of natural resources but have a lot of sun...
I think that both technologies are great, but the second is more practical for large scale production. the first one is more promising for the future, and need some more fine tunning to become realisctic and economical.
good luck to these scientists.
enjoy.
The effects of clouds on A Solar Panel
Solar panels hold a wealth of benefits, both for individuals and for the world at large. Economically, solar panels promise to lower the cost of electrical power. Environmentally, solar panels can give us cleaner power, sustainable power that will not require further damage to the environment. Solar power can reach remote areas.
It can carry education, or urgently needed medical information.The effects of clouds on a solar panel, though, might diminish those and other promising benefits. The effects of clouds on a solar panel might make it far less efficient in certain parts of the world and at certain seasons.For that reason, people who are considering solar panels for their homes are often heard to ask:
will clouds affect my solar panels?
Clouds do affect solar panels.
The amount of power your solar panels can produce is directly dependent on the level of light they receive.In full, bright sunlight, solar panels receive maximum levels of light. During those "peak" sunlight hours, your solar panels will produce power at their maximum capacity.When clouds cover the sun, light levels are reduced. This does not shut down power production, however. If there is enough light to cast a shadow, in spite of the clouds, your solar panels should operate at about half of their full capacity. Thicker cloud cover will reduce operations further. Eventually, with heavy cloud cover, solar panels will produce very little useful power.
The Good News!
The effects of clouds on a solar panel can be surprising good, however. Incredibly, your solar panels will put out their ultimate amount of peak power during cloudy weather!As the sun moves into a hole between the clouds, your solar panels will see something wonderful. They will see full direct sunlight "plus" reflected light from the clouds! They will drink in more energy than they could on a cloudless day!
The effects of clouds on a solar panel could then produce peaks at or above 50% more than its direct-sun output!
Meeting the Challenge
There are ways to meet the cloud challenge.
1. If you often have clouds in the afternoon, but mornings are clear, aim your solar panels slightly toward the east.
2. Be sure you use a large enough battery system to maximize the amount of power stored for use when the clouds arrive.
3. Make sure your controller has plenty of headroom over the rated panel output power so that it can absorb the surges when the sun reflects off the clouds.
Those tricks and more are practiced in cloudy regions of the world where people have sprinted far ahead of the United States in their use of solar panel energy.Effects of Clouds on a Solar Panel in GermanyGermany is typically a very cloudy country.
Read about the climate of Germany, and you will find that it is "temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind" according to Nation Master's website.In spite of its cloudy climate, though, Germany is by far the world's biggest user of solar panels. If you lived in Germany, you could sell back to the main power grid all of the excess electricity produced by your solar panels. Why would I even care in such a cloudy climate? If clouds affect my solar panels too much, I would not worry about selling back to the main grid.In 2006, Germany opened the largest solar park in the world. Germany also has Europe's most modern solar housing project - a solar village of 50 solar houses that produce more energy than they use!
Will clouds affect my solar panels?
Even if I lived in Germany, the effect would not be enough to forego solar power.Tip: There are few places that are so consistently cloudy that solar power is out of the question. Improvements are being made constantly, and even solar panels small enough to fold into a briefcase can produce helpful amounts of power.
About the Author: Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about solar power at http://www.solar-energy-connection.com. Anna has posted articles on that site about various applications of this useful technology. If you want to know more about the benefits of solar power, you won't want to miss her article on the subject.
Lighted Solar Stepping Stones
A lighted stepping stone can add the necessary light needed to illuminate walkways around any home. They are inexpensive to install and use the sunlight as an energy source. They are a great way to conserve energy while allowing people to see where they are going. A lighted solar stepping stone can be made to look attractive. They can still be painted to match any outside décor. The stones are usually made of a hard plastic and have light bulbs inside. These stepping stones capture the sun’s rays and use the energy at nighttime to create light. One can find these stepping stones at many home improvement stores or online.
Another feature of a lighted stepping stone is the added sense of security. When people go away on vacation, they can feel safer knowing the stepping stone will be turned on to signify that someone may be home even when they are not. This will also allow people to have some light when they return home at night. A lighted solar stepping stone has many purposes in addition to looking attractive. The bulbs inside do not need to be changed often and the stones can capture enough energy to last a few nights even if the sun did not come out that day.
A lighted solar stepping stone adds light as well as beauty to any home. They are easy to install and useful when having an outdoor party or going for a midnight swim. The lighted solar stepping stone provides enough light to see even on the darkest nights. These stones can also be used to illuminate a garden to make it noticeable even in the dark. This is a nice touch when throwing a patio party or a family gathering. The garden will look alive and beautiful with the lighted solar stepping stone.
About The Author
Scott Byers is a contributor to http://www.SteppingStoneInfo.com, along with many other websites. Please visit our website if you would like to know more about how solar lighted stepping stones can improve your garden
How to Make a Solar Panel for Use In RV or Home
Solar panels produce electricity by using selective wavelengths of light. All they need is direct sunlight and low temperature to work optimally. There are kits and methods available for you to build your own solar panels. A homemade solar panel is an effective way to produce your own power and save on future power bills - for RV or home!
Build Your Own Solar Panel
You may use a solar panel kit to build your own solar panel. All the components required for setting up your solar panel are made available in most kits. These components are: solar cells, soldering iron, solder, flux, and tabbing. Kits include detailed instructions on how to make a solar panel. Constructing a solar panel at home does not require expertise. You may simply follow the step-by-step instructions available with the kit. A homemade solar panel is a big money saver.
The main advantage of building and installing a solar panel is that it is eco-friendly. Other forms of electricity emit certain harmful elements that contribute to smog, and other pollution, while solar power is free from such hazardous emissions.
You save money when you use solar power, especially when you build your own solar panel from a solar kit. There are no more electricity bills to pay! The initial installation cost is quickly recovered. If required, you may add more solar panels to generate more electricity. Most systems come with back-up batteries to provide electricity at night, or when it is cloudy.
There are two basic types of solar panels. Normal panels use solar energy to heat water for basic needs at home, or even for pools. The absorber converts the radiation from the sun into heat. The second type of solar panel, known as photovoltaic panels, converts light into electricity. These panels are normally installed on the roof. The electricity produced by these panels is directed to a battery, which serves as the electricity storage device. The battery can then supply all the electricity that your household needs.
Your homemade solar panel is made from a collection of solar cells. Each solar cell produces a small amount of electricity, but collectively they produce enough electricity to fulfill your household power needs. It is important for the panels to keep facing the sun to receive direct sunrays.
You can choose from a number of tracking solar mounts available. The single-axis tracker is fixed at a vertical angle. The angle is manually maneuvered to follow the path of the sun, which is based on seasonal changes. For summer, the rule of thumb is to set the panels at your latitude minus 15, and for winter, you may set the panels at your latitude plus 15. The dual-axis tracker adjusts the vertical angle automatically.
Your unique needs and requirements will dictate what type of solar panel is right for you. If making your own panel is not for you, keep your eye out for solar panel sales, you can often find great deals on these energy saving items if you time it right.
Solar Panels
If you’re looking for a way to conserve electricity, renewable energy may be the answer. Renewable, or solar energy, uses the sun’s light, along with wind and even certain molecules in plants and animals in order to power cars, turn on lights, and keep appliances working.
Heat is produced whenever the sun touches something, and solar energy can be used to power almost anything. Natural gas, oil, and coal are all byproducts of solar energy, since the plants and animals used to create these natural resources receive their energy from the sun. However, since coal, oil, and gas are resources that can be depleted from the earth, they should be conserved as much as possible, which is why scientists and environmentalists are conducing progressive research on ways to use renewable energy in every day life. This way, solar energy can be used more often.
Powering everything with solar energy isn’t possible just yet, since a way to capture enough sunlight to power everything in a home or business hasn’t been discovered. So, many people use solar panels, which can be placed on a side of a roof to attract sunlight during the day that can be used to heat rooms and water. Solar panels can be purchased at a number of retail stores now, as well as online. Panels do a great job of helping families and businesses to conserve energy. Hopefully, solar panels will become a part of daily life, in order to prevent the disappearance of natural resources and to maintain energy conservation
About The Author
John Smith
Visit http://www.solar-panels.cc for more information about solar panels and renewable energy.
