Posts Tagged ‘solar energy systems’
November 4th, 2009 | 
Author: I read a posting describing some possible small solar energy systems and how it would do us all well to begin to familiarize ourselves with such small systems. Small solar powered lighting systems, completely self-contained and DC powered. Lets look at some other small DC systems already in use on a daily basis, and you don’t even think about them.
If you have an RV or a Boat, you have seen self-contained DC systems in use; if you drive a car or truck, you have seen small DC energy systems in use. The major difference between an RV, Boat or Automobile vs. a home is the source of the electrical generation to start with: the internal combustion engine. Batteries are still part of the small-scale energy system, but solar does not play a part, instead the vehicle engine runs an alternator that creates a charging current for the vehicle battery. For the most part, this is the norm, but I am familiar with a small solar energy system being used on Tern Island by scientists studying wildlife behavior and habitats, as well as some boats can now be retrofitted to accommodate a fairly robust solar energy system.
Let’s look at the safety aspect of DC voltage vs. AC voltage. Have you ever licked the end of a 9volt battery? Sure you have, admit it. That is about the same amount of voltage that is required to power most DC motors. 12volts to be precise, but remember, “it’s the amps that kill you not the volts”. The current involved is somewhere in the neighborhood of milli-amps, that’s a thousanth of an amp, everything is measured in DC voltage which is much safer and easier to store than AC.; compare that to 15-40amps in most household AC systems, especially if 220v is involved.
My brother has a degree from the University of Washington in History and is also a Reforestation expert in Washington State and uses photovoltaic cells to power small appliances in his Condo in Seattle. (I have posted an image here of my brothers’ simple circuit…..simple, yes, but effective).
Sure, it’s not an entire-home solar energy system, but it demonstrates principles and possibly dispels two myths with small solar energy systems that are missing in the equations about the cost-effectiveness of these solar energy systems.
One is that there needs to be sun all year round and all day round. I’ll give you that, I live in the desert Southwest and we have plenty of sunshine, but the Pacific Northwest could never use it, right? Maybe not as an exclusive source of energy, but it could be supplemented by wind power and other renewable resources.
Two is that there is not enough current generated to power an entire home. That is if the user is still utilizing AC-powered appliances, yes, the energy loss in the conversion process is ridiculous. But what if all those same appliances were DC powered? A little different equation now isn’t it? Hang out at your local Snowbird convention in your nearby WalMart parking lot when they are flocking through your area and see what DC power can do for the retiree….complete with satellite TV. No kidding. The reason AC power became popular in the first place was because of it’s ability to lose very little voltage over long distances. What if you only have to transmit the power from fuel cells on your back porch to the front yard landscape lighting.
My friends, what this comes down to is a change in mind-set, a paradigm shift if you will. First of all, we have to stop finding all the reasons why solar energy WILL NOT work, and find ways that it WILL work. (Please, at this point the cost is not the issue. This blog is all about thinking about it first).
Cost has indeed been a legitimate roadblock to the small solar energy system being put into viability anywhere in this country. I would welcome, however, for any of you budding electrical engineers, (or even seasoned veterans) to give us a break-down of how many DC volts would be necessary to power an entire household with TV’s, computers, a/c units, heat pumps and other appliances. Reaching into the future, let’s plan on charging a fully electric vehicle also. I live in the desert so the a/c will have to run all night long also, so battery backup/storage will be a must.
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Article Source: Small Solar Energy Systems
There are so many reasons why you should take advantage of DIY home solar energy that it’s actually kind of hard to know where to begin. The greatest benefit that leaps out to so many is the opportunity to create an endless amount of free electricity to power your home.
The other benefit will be appreciated by those that are concerned about the carbon footprint that we are leaving on this galactic rock that we inhabit called Earth. Fossil fuels emit pollutants into our atmosphere every time they are used and are a finite source of energy that are not only very expensive but are also being depleted by the day.
The increased demand by developing nations such as China and India are driving the costs of fossil fuels used in the home including heating oil and natural gas higher and higher. Couple that along with the ever present political turmoil in the Mideast and you have a recipe for runaway fuel costs.
Unless you are wealthy and money is no object then a DIY home solar energy system is hands down the way to go. You can go online and purchase an instantly downloadable e-book that contains complete plans for building and installing your own solar panels as well as videos that will walk you through how to do it step-by-step.
Constructing your own home solar energy system is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to commercially built and installed solar panels. You can build your own photovoltaic solar cells and string them together into a solar panel that is every bit as good as a commercially constructed one for a fraction of the cost.
Commercial solar energy systems for a home of average size can run upwards of $20,000 and above. You can build your own solar panel and install it yourself for about $200 or even under $100. And once more, there are no special skills required to build your own solar panels and all the parts that you will need can be purchased at your neighborhood hardware store.
You can begin your foray into DIY home solar energy slowly by building a single panel which will generate enough electricity to run many of your household appliances. When you begin to become proficient at building the panels you can build more and add them to what you have already created which will of course enhance your ability to generate electricity free of charge.
And just think about this… it is very, very possible to generate enough electricity to completely power your home and no longer have to pay those expensive utility bills. Not only that but you can also go completely off the grid and even produce enough electricity that you can sell it back to the power company for a profit. It’s a beautiful thing isn’t it? And it’s all within your reach.
Learn how to generate an unlimited amount of free electricity when you harness the power of the sun to create DIY home solar energy when you visit http://free-home-solar-energy.blogspot.com
Article Source: How to Create Home Solar Energy and Generate Free Electricity
Solar energy systems are growing popular as an alternative source of energy due to mounting costs of conventional energy sources. Moreover, burning of fuel based energy hampers environmental balance with excessive carbon dioxide gas emission. Due to this high rise of CO2 emission, we are under grave threat of global warming, consistent temperature rise and sea level rise.
Solar energy systems are being installed on the roof of the home. These rooftop solar panel systems are not noticeable too as these systems consist of a single or multiple thin plates that absorb sun’s rays. As sun’s rays are not limited source unlike fuel sourced energy. Therefore, by mounting these panels on their roof homeowners can reduce dependence on electricity and excessive bills resulting from overuse of electricity. At the same time, solar energy is green and environment friendly and does not lead to greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, they know they are reducing their carbon footprint with lesser impacts on greenhouse effects and global warming.
There are different types of solar energy based heating systems. Usually, a solar heating system is comprised of single or multiple solar collector boxes to collect the sun’s rays plus energy and hot water storage tank. Active solar water heating systems require controls and pumps. There are two types of solar energy sourced water heating systems that are –
1. Passive Solar Water Heating Systems – The passive solar water heating system is the simplest solar water heating system as it is powered by the sun’s energy. The water tank is kept inside a solar energy collector box. Water stored in the tank is incorporated to the solar collector heats. As the hot water is switched on, water comes out of the tank to flow to the home and then more cold water gets into the tank to fill unoccupied space. This water heating system is perfect for homes in milder climates. Also, these heaters serve to heat up swimming pool in summer months in colder climates.
2. Active Solar Water Heating Systems – Active solar water heating systems are inclusive of a water pump that moves cold water to the solar energy collector box that is usually made of small copper tubing. When the water gets heated, the pump moves heated water to a well insulated water storage tank for user.
The sun’s rays fall on the thin plates and they are absorbed to create heat. This heat collected from the sun heats up the water stored in the tube connected to the copper plate. Therefore, these heating systems are convenient to use and are capable of mass water storage of households.
Jack William is an article Author who brings the information about solar energy and wind solar energy through article, news, press release and blogs. For more details about solar energy visit our home insulation website.
Article Source: Solar Energy Powered Water Heater – Types of Heating Systems
The sun is the life giver to the entire solar system, life thrives and survives with the rays of sunlight we receive each day from the perennial and never ending source of energy in the sky. It is estimated that the earth receives almost 174 Pettawats or 174000000 Gigawatts of power every year from the sun. To tap this limitless source of energy is a prudent and long lasting solution for our present and future domestic and commercial energy needs. Solar energy systems have been designed which convert the power of the sun into usable heat and electricity for daily use. Through the use of advanced solar photovaltiac panels and thin film solar converters, the sun’s radiation is received by complex silicon circuits which convert this radiation into energy, there are also traditional methods of collecting the heat of the sun through Solar thermal collectors which provide heat for various purposes like cooking and boiling water or heating homes.
Solar energy is now used for energy intensive applications like pool heating and powering large kitchens or greenhouses. Using solar energy as a fuel conserves precious fossil fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions which makes this type of energy environmentally friendly. Many governments around the world are now providing various incentives to people who wish to switch to solar power and solar companies and installers who supply solar pv and heating panels are eligible for special discounts and tax concessions, to promote the sale and use of this clean and perennial form of renewable energy.
Solar energy systems are now being designed with various energy storage methods which store energy in lean periods of low sunlight to ensure a consistent supply of energy or heat from the Solar power source. Solar Energy systems rely on Thin Film Transitors and Photovaltiac panels which convert solar radiation into electricity and heat. With the reducing cost of solar hardware equipment, a large customer base is now looking towards solar energy as a viable option especially in remote areas where the cost of power supply through the standard power supply system can be prohibitively expensive. Wide spread use of thin film solar panels has increased solar power penetration in even the most cost conscious homes.
The future of energy security lies in exploiting the energy of the sun to meet our needs in the most effective and environmentally friendly manner and preserve the earth in all its beauty for the future generations of mankind.
FabDigs Solar provides information and tools to help you make an informed decision for solar panel installations and clean energy products. Let our solar professionals, installers, and contractors find the best solution for your home or business.
Article Source: Solar Energy Systems
It is now fully possible to get solar and wind power for residential homes. Costs are coming down, and more and more people are jumping into the benefits of solar and wind power for residential homes. As you read this article, you will discover more about solar power and wind power for residential homes.
As you read this article about solar and wind power, you will discover more about:
* What Is Solar And Wind Power?
* Why Use Solar And Wind Power To Power Your Home?
* How To Get Solar And Wind Power For Your Home?
* Tips To Getting Solar And Wind Power For Residential Homes!
* What Is Solar And Wind Power?
It may seem like a basic question, but it is good to understand the principle fully. Solar energy is basically energy from light. So the parts to residential solar energy systems take the light photons, and convert them into electric.
This applies with wind power also; however, there is a marked difference with how they operate. Basically the wind power generators have turbines which turn with the power of the wind, with a generator, this produces electric which when converted to a suitable voltage and amps, will provide your home with electric, and all for free!
The difference between solar and wind power, is that the Sun’s light also provides heat in the form of ultraviolet rays. This can also be used to heat water, without the need to generate electric.
* Why Use Solar And Wind Power To Power Your Home?
Because solar energy is solar energy, the source is from our Sun. This makes it free energy! As this is fantastic, considering that if we could collect all the light emitted onto Earth in 1 hour, we would have enough energy for humanities entire needs for a year!
That is big, and when you do your bit, and utilize solar power or wind power, you ultimately help in creating a better world, with free energy! Wind power is caused from the tides, so again we have a lot of potential to make use of these sources of energy.
* How To Get Solar And Wind Power For Your Home?
There are many companies springing up to help you get solar and wind power for your home. They can help you find the right equipment, and even may be able to give you advice about selling your excess energy!
* Tips To Getting Solar And Wind Power For Residential Homes!
Solar and wind power for residential homes is not cheap. The equipment can be expensive, and take years to recoup your investment. Luckily there are many grants that can help you get solar power for the home or wind power for the home at a much better price, than if you had to pay for it all yourself.
Did you know that you can resell your excess energy to the power companies? Not all will buy your excess energy, but there are a few companies who do. For example, in the UK nPower buys green energy.
Discover more about solar power for the home, and solar and wind power for residential homes. Visit www.homesolarenergysystems.info/
Article Source: Solar And Wind Power For Residential Homes
Many scientists are working hard at finding new ways to operate without having to rely on chemicals and machines. Many feel that the Earth is slowly dying because of the manufacturing plants and cars that we drive that emit harmful chemicals and gases into the air. One way that they are helping to revolutionize the way we live is to replace electric energy with solar energy.
Solar energy is radiant heat and light that is emanated from the Sun. This light helps to influence the climate on Earth and allows not only humans and animals – but also fish to live. Solar energy has been harnessed for power since the ancient times by humans through the use of different technologies.
The Earth can receive 174 petawatts of solar radiation or insolation in its upper atmosphere. Around 30% of that is reflected back into space and the rest of it is absorbed by the clouds, land masses, and the oceans. The spectrum of solar light on the surface of the Earth is predominantly spread across near infrared and visible ranges and a small part in the near ultraviolet. The solar light that is absorbed is able to heat the land surface, atmosphere, and oceans.
Solar energy as well as hydroelectricity, wind, and wave power make up 99.97% of the renewable energy that is available on the Earth. The total amount of solar energy that the Earth’s atmosphere, land masses, and oceans absorbs is close to 3,850 zettajoules a year. Studies show that in 2002 this was more energy in one single hour then what the world would use in a total year.
The amount of solar energy that the Earth’s surface can hold is so large that in a single year it will be twice the amount that we can obtain from non-renewable resources of oil, coal, and natural gas. Because of this consumers themselves are seeking to purchase their own solar energy systems to help save them money and to keep the Earth safe.
Understanding what Solar Energy Is and why most people find it important will give us an insight on way that we can Harness It.
Article Source: How Solar Energy Can Help Save The Earth
Owning and maintaining solar panels as part of an overall solar energy system is a fantastic way to save money and help save the planet – but many people are skeptical about their ability to operate such a system.
With a series of sometimes strange-looking devices and some basic electrician’s calculations to perform for proper energy production, solar energy systems can intimidate many who are used to relying on their electricity companies to keep all the technical babble on the other side of the bill. But once you’ve taken a few basic and easy to understand steps to design a solar energy system that’s right for your home or other venue, you’ll find that maintaining solar panels and the related components is a lot easier than you’d ever dreamed.
Surprisingly, solar energy systems are virtually maintenance-free. If you take proper steps to ensure that your solar panels and other system components are of quality construction and are chosen well to reflect corresponding voltages, you will likely be able to enjoy the benefits of generating your own power without any tweaking or perilous clamoring on the roof.
In the best interest of battery longevity, it is a wise idea to top off the water in the individual battery cells every six months to a year. This simple process is very similar to proper batter maintenance on a car, and requires no special steps, tools, or manuals.
Proper operation of the solar controller and power inverter most usually involve leaving the devices to operate in peace, however, should you experience a drop in performance which is perceptible through a dimming of lights or interruption of power, the best option is to consult with the user manuals for these individual components and make sure that each is functioning properly.
For example, controllers may need to be adjusted in times of extreme temperature changes, or in case of increased energy load (such as adding a few more appliances to your solar power “grid”).
While some may wish to perform the occasional clean-up on their system, the use of chemical products or frequent friction-producing actions such as wiping or scrubbing are not recommended; let nature do the work for you and allow rainfall to keep your system clean.
While extremely rare, solar panels and their supporting systems are capable of experiencing broader problems, mostly in relation to exposure to the elements; these more complex problems can be solved with the aid of a professional electrician or solar panel consultant. But for the majority of owners, solar panels are as easy to maintain as they are to enjoy.
Andy Bauer is a tech writer for West Florida Components, a retailer of electronic components, solar panels, and supplies.
Article Source: Secrets to Maintaining Your Solar Energy System