Making Solar Energy

Things To Consider When Buying A DIY Solar Panel Kit

Written on July 26, 2010 at 12:18 pm, by admin

There are several Solar Panel Kits available and deciding on which one to spend your money on can be quite daunting.  How do you know what’s good and which ones you should stay away from? This can be a challenge when starting a DIY project yourself, instead of paying a company to do the work for you. I checked Consumer Reports and didn’t find any specific information on DIY Solar Panel Kits.  While searching around the internet, I came across several criteria that you should think about before buying a Solar Panel Kit.

• Ease of Building. Look at the instruction package, the materials needed and if the components are easy to build.  Can you get the parts and supplies you need through your local hardware store, or do you have to special order them through some company?
• Time Involved. How long will it take to build each component? Does it look complicated? This is directly related to how well the instructions are explained.
• Costs. Solar energy is cost saving unless you have to buy expensive parts and materials. Your DIY Kit should explain how to cut costs by showing you how to find parts for less.
• Instructional Value. Solar kits will receive higher rankings if the instructions are clear cut and easy to understand, even for a beginner. Including instructional videos is an added plus because the consumer can actually visualize the instructions instead of just reading them.

The overall ratings of DIY Solar Panel Kits takes all this criteria into consideration. You can also search the internet to get a good sense of the products that people are recommending the most. If several people recommend 1 or 2 products in particular, then it is safe to assume that the product is well liked and includes the factors mentioned above.

Take the time to choose the right learning tools or you could end up wasting your money buying something that you don’t understand or is too complicated. Another point to consider is that a messed up solar panel job that doesn’t work may bring your property value down.

Earth 4 Energy has been rated #1 since 2008.

Technorati Tags: Do it yourself, Energy, Renewable, solar panels, Solar power

Written on June 3, 2010 at 8:08 am, by Shannon

College of Illinois Researchers Indicate Us Little Known Ways to Create More Economical Photovoltaic Panels

While silicon is the industry standard semiconductor in almost all electronic devices, which includes the solar cells that pv panels use to convert sunlight into electricity, it is hardly the most effective material readily available. For instance, the semiconductor gallium arsenide and associated ingredient semiconductors offer practically double the performance as silicon in solar devices, yet they are rarely utilized in utility-scale applications mainly because of their high construction price.

University of Illinois (http://illinois.edu/) teachers J. Rogers and X. Li explored lower-cost techniques to produce thin films of gallium arsenide which also made possible flexibility in the kinds of units they might be integrated into.

If you could minimize considerably the cost of gallium arsenide and other compound semiconductors, then you could expand their range of applications.

Generally, gallium arsenide is transferred in a single thin layer on a small wafer. Either the desired device is created directly on the wafer, or the semiconductor-coated wafer is broken up into chips of the desired size. The Illinois team chose to put in numerous layers of the material on one wafer, making a layered, “pancake” stack of gallium arsenide thin films.

If you grow ten levels in one growth, you simply have to fill the wafer 1 time. If you do this in 10 growths, loading and unloading with temp ramp-up and ramp-down take a lot of time. If you consider what is needed for every growth – the machine, the research, the time, the people – the overhead saving this solution gives is a substantial cost reduction.

Next the researchers independently peel off the levels and transport them. To complete this, the stacks alternate layers of aluminum arsenide with the gallium arsenide. Bathing the stacks in a solution of acid and an oxidizing agent dissolves the layers of aluminum arsenide, freeing the individual small sheets of gallium arsenide. A soft stamp-like device picks up the layers, just one at a time from the top down, for exchange to one other substrate – glass, plastic-type or silicon, based on the application. Next the wafer can be used again for an additional growth.

By executing this it’s possible to make considerably more material a lot more rapidly and more price efficient. This process could create mass amounts of material, as opposed to simply the thin single-layer method in which it is usually grown.

Freeing the material from the wafer additionally starts the possibility of flexible, thin-film electronics made with gallium arsenide or different high-speed semiconductors. To make units that can conform but still maintain high efficiency, that is significant.

In a paper written and published online May 20 in the newspaper Nature (http://www.nature.com/), the team describes its techniques and shows 3 types of devices making use of gallium arsenide chips manufactured in multilayer stacks: light units, high-speed transistors and solar cells. The creators additionally provide a comprehensive cost evaluation.

An additional advantage associated with the multilayer approach is the release from area constraints, specifically crucial for solar cells. As the layers are eliminated from the stack, they may be laid out side-by-side on an additional substrate in order to create a much greater surface area, whereas the typical single-layer process limits area to the size of the wafer.

For solar panels, you want big area coverage to catch as much sunshine as possible. In an extreme situation we may grow adequate levels to have ten times the area of the standard.

Up coming, the group plans to explore more possible product applications and additional semiconductor resources that might adapt to multilayer growth.

About the Article author – Shannon Combs is currently writing for the “residential solar power tax credits” web site, her personal hobby website based on points to assist home owners to conserve energy with solar power.

Authors complete Bio & Website: Residential Solar Panels

Technorati Tags: Business, Components, Electronics and Electrical, Gallium arsenide, Semiconductor, Solar cell, Thin film, Wafer (electronics)

Uncover What Solar Energy Is Able To Do For You Personally

Written on June 1, 2010 at 9:40 am, by admin

There are several wonderful rewards that tend to be provided by solar power, which one would find out if they were to go to the trouble to find out about solar panel technology facts. These solar power specifics are vital to be aware of, especially on the earth at present where we are struggling with problems such as global warming and seriously, the finish of days. In relation to the solar energy facts, it is at all times most beneficial to start out at the beginning and find out what solar energy actually is. It is direct sunlight that is converted into thermal or electric energy.

When in involves the solar energy facts, the most significant advantages supplied by solar technology is that it’s replenishing. The difference is always that when you find yourself depending on solar technology instead of electricity, you are going to reduce costs and as well if you are aware of the solar technology facts then you would realize that solar power is environmentally friendly whereas electrical power isn’t.

As a result solar technology can be readily available and we need not be worried about it running out, like we all do with sources like gasoline and coal. Sunshine is the biggest and most healthy power source on the earth.

If you need to be aware of the solar technology facts then you’ll need to know that solar technology systems have become affordable and easy to install and just about any expenses that you do put out will more than pay themselves off, in the short term. One of the most important solar power facts is because of climatic change and the very poor state the natural environment is at this time.

Once you remove electricity and instead make use of solar technology, you are not going to be polluting or contributing to the green house gas dilemma. Consequently if you wish to perform your part for your ecosystem and guard it the easiest way that you may, then you may desire to make the switch to solar power.

These are actually just simply a handful of the most rudimentary solar energy facts, and the more which you know about solar power and what it is offering, the quicker you will comprehend why you need to make the change to solar power too. In only a few basic steps it is possible to possess a solar power system set up in your own home and will be able to get started enjoying the use of solar energy. In the event that you are focused on learning additional solar power facts you may invariably investigate. There’s always new and more innovative information on solar energy being released.

Written on May 24, 2010 at 7:55 am, by admin

Solar Energy And Its Features, Both Positive And Negative « How to …

There are many people that know about renewable energy and solar power and they know well enough that it’s a good energy but there is a very small group that knows the real reason. Thus, we are providing a real list of advantages and …

Publish Date: 05/24/2010 6:45

http://crazyqueenlingerie.com/solar-energy-and-its-features-both-positive-and-negative/

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It’s All About The Sun

Written on May 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm, by admin

Build an Inexpensive Home Solar Power System | Solar Panel Online

For under $100 dollars you can obtain all the materials you need to build a 75 watt solar panel. A quick search will prove that retail 75 watt solar (pv) panels are priced anywhere from $300 to $400. A DIY solar project can save you …

Publish Date: 05/14/2010 23:22

http://www.solar-panel-online.com/home-solar-panels/build-an-inexpensive-home-solar-power-system.html

AZM 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit | Solar Energy – Renewable Energy

Three 15 watt solar panels give you plenty of clean, quiet energy – no fuel requiredPower center is completely weatherproof and works under all light.

Publish Date: 05/10/2010 15:30

http://solarenergy.2bmall.com/Bestsellers-in-azm-45-watt-solar-panel-kit.html

Sunforce 50032 15 Watt Solar Battery Charger | Think Green Think …

I have purchased and installed solar panels before on my motor home but they were not the quality of the Sunforce I am happy to say, the package arrived on time as always from Amazon orders. It was packaged very well with no damage and …

Publish Date: 05/15/2010 4:05

http://www.thinkgreenthinkbeyond.com/alernative-energy-products/sunforce-50032-15-watt-solar-battery-charger/

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Solar Energy Home

Written on May 12, 2010 at 12:34 pm, by admin

Advantages of Going for Solar Energy – Discuss-Life

The great thing about solar energy is that it is free. The moment you get the entire system all up and running, you can get a constant supply of electricity as long as you have the solar panels in place. It would be easy to curb down …

Publish Date: 05/12/2010 5:52

http://discuss-life.com/tech-news/advantages-of-going-for-solar-energy/

Brink – Storing Solar Energy

Chemist Dan Nocera’s work capturing and storing solar energy may save the world. No, really!

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Facts about Renewable Solar Energy | Global Warming

The life on earth is dependent on solar energy and the smallest form of life like the microbes and plankton are also dependent on the solar.

Publish Date: 05/12/2010 13:17

http://www.greenquestionsandanswers.com/facts-about-renewable-solar-energy/

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Silicon Blocks Produce Solar Cells

Written on May 8, 2010 at 6:14 pm, by admin

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Reducing Energy Needs

Written on February 12, 2010 at 11:34 pm, by admin

With simple instructions available on how to convert to homemade wind power or DIY solar panels for as little as $200, many people are taking the alternative energy more seriously. When choosing to take on a DIY conversion project the first question most people ask is will one windmill or one large solar panel be enough?

There are too many factors involved here to answer that question for you. But one way to start is to ensure your home is efficient in the first place. In this article we will walk you through some steps that will help you reduce your energy consumption before you start converting your home.

Reducing Your Energy Needs

One often overlooked step in converting a home to green power is reducing your energy needs in the first place. The average home uses inefficient lighting, power hungry appliances, and poor heating/cooling solutions.  An important step to reducing your energy needs is to look at the inefficiencies in your current system.

Consider:

1. Replacing old incandescent bulbs with fluorescents or led bulbs will cut your power consumption from light in half.
2. Replacing old, inefficient, appliances may reduce your energy bills by as much as 30% by itself.

You should also look at your current heating/cooling solutions. For example an electric hot water heater could potentially be replaced by a solar water heater. Maybe that inefficient air conditioner can be replaced with a more efficient heat exchanger.

If you need help choosing more efficient appliances, an excellent resource for this is put out by the Canadian government: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/EnerGuide/home.cfm.  It’s called Energuide, and it covers everything power consumption of home appliance to energy requirements of large commercial air conditioners.

Spend some time looking through that guide and calculating how much you can reduce your power consumption in different areas of your home.  By simply taking a look at everything in your home that consumes energy, you will find ways to reduce your energy needs before you start.

You don’t necessarily have to go all out and spend $10,000 replacing everything – but things as simple as changing your lighting will reduce your energy needs before you start your conversion project.

GreenPowerEasy.com

Technorati Tags: reuseable energy, Solar Energy Facts, solar panels

Solar Home Energy: What Is It For?

Written on November 28, 2009 at 11:49 am, by admin

Solar energy—everyone knows what is meant by solar energy, and that is, the energy that comes from the sun. In its most basic sense, solar energy and other solar home equipment are nonetheless environment-friendly and not risky at all.  You do not have to be an expert environmentalist first to benefit from solar home energy.

Why is solar home energy environment-friendly? What are it’s general benefits? Solar energy does not emit CO2 which can lead to global warming. When solar home energy is used, the electrical bills go down tremendously as compared to the other types of home energy. Why would you pay for such expensive bills when all you need to do is to take advantage of solar home energy?

Another major advantage of solar home energy is the absence of very complicated and dangerous wiring. Solar energy lights in the garden path or any other solar energy-powered items used in your home are ready to be installed without any wiring to be dealt with. In reality, these solar light bulbs are equipped with darkness sensors so they don’t need not be turned on to give off light and they don’t need not be turned off as well when they are no longer needed. Solar light bulbs just have to be purchased, taken out of the boxes, installed and then Voila! You are all set!

A List of the Benefits of Solar Home Energy

• Solar home energy is environmentally friendly. As mentioned above, solar home energy will not harm the environment. It is specifically clean and renewable as well.  In addition, it does not cause pollution like traditional electrical forms do.

• Solar home energy systems need the little maintenance. They are not fuel-powered, so there is no need to buy refills.

• Solar home energy lets you save a lot of money. The energy that is derived from the sun can be accessed for free when you make use of solar lights and solar panels. The federal government does give out financial incentives.  In addition, you don’t get affected by the rise of fuel rates since you are using solar home energy.

• Using solar home energy frees you from becoming dependent on foreign and centralized energy sources. Power outages will not likely affect you in any manner. You won’t have to deal with any power lines.

• Most of the solar energy items are very easy to install and you don’t have to work with electrical wiring.

• Solar panels increase the value of your home.

Disadvantages of Solar Home Energy

• The installation of solar home energy has some expenses at first.   There is the cost of materials to make the solar panels or if you choose to hire a company to install the solar energy system to your home.

• The strength of your solar energy will relatively depend on the location of your home in relation to the direction of the sun.  The panels must be carefully placed to receive the maximum amount of energy. They will be less efficient in cloudy areas and in heavy tree cover.

• Geography. How many hours of daylight do you have? Locations closer to the North & South Poles will have less overall daylight.

Solar Energy Devices

There are a lot of solar energy devices that you can consider buying.  For example, there are solar flashlights, solar heaters, car ventilators, solar video cameras, solar radios, solar pool purifiers, solar mosquito inhibitors, solar lighting, and solar fountain pumps.

What Are Solar Panels?

Written on November 28, 2009 at 10:45 am, by admin

Sunlight can be changed directly into electricity by using solar cells. Solar cells are small, square shaped panel semiconductors made from silicon and other conductive materials. They are manufactured in thin film layers. When sunlight hits a solar cell, a chemical reaction releases electrons, producing an electric current. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells—PV cells—and can be found on many things like small appliances, calculators, and toys. Individual PV cells are arranged onto a PV module and the modules are grouped together in an array. The electrical energy can then be used directly in the home or business.

Technorati Tags: reuseable energy, Solar Energy Facts, solar panels