Monthly Archives: March 2018

Your Questions About Solar Energy Materials And Solar Cells

Robert asks…

What is the most reasonable solution to the world’s dependence on oil?

I know that there is wind energy, solar, hydrogen cells, electric cars, but which one of these is closest and can most viably handle the addiction to oil? I know it won’t happen tomorrow, but when it does happen, what will replace it?

admin answers:

The most reasonable solution is to ration oil via price. Eliminate the cartels like OPEC which are manipulating the price of oil for their own profit plans. Let oil go to those who want to buy it and let the price determine who wants it the most. Let the capitalist market determine its allocation… This is a new concept since the oil market is currently controlled. Anyway, alternatives will become more available and appealing.

Second, eliminate government energy plans and laws. Much of the lack of innovation in the energy creation and distribution markets is because government has insisted on preconceived ideas of what is acceptable and what is not. This has stifled much need innovation and options. These energy laws are known to have a material impact on the forms of energy distribution. LG

Lisa asks…

Which solar wavelengths are converted to electricity?

I am unsure about which wavelengths a solar cell can convert to electricity. Does the cell only convert visible light (400nm to 700nm) or does it also convert UV and infrared radiation to electricity?
Made of silicon?

admin answers:

The answer is non-trivial. The cell will convert photons beyond its band-gap into electric current but it will not convert all the energy of the photon. Indeed the shorter the wavelength, the less of the energy will be converted and the lower the efficiency at that wavelength. And then you have to keep in mind that shorter wavelengths can not penetrate the material as well as long wavelengths and there is a loss of quantum efficiency in the blue.

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Your Questions About Solar Generators For Home Use

Mary asks…

How would you go about living off the grid ?

Make your home radically or totally independent of outside sources of water, electric, fuel, etc. and how can you do this economically ?

admin answers:

Plain and simple way.

First calculate a moderate use of electricity, add 20% and rig the house with a solar system.
As a backup (for when solar panels get too old or other issues) have a 1930’s style diesel generator back up and battery backup. Using a pulsed charging system can make batteries last for longer than the standard 10 years rating.

For fuel, make bio-diesel for your generator and for a diesel vehicle. This merely requires oil, lye, water and the processing equipment. You should buy good quality lye, but if you can’t, there’s always the opportunity to make your own (wood ash lye was used in pioneer days to make soap)

Water sources can be a well, rain catch system and purifiers for use with tanks. If your thinking long term I’d suggest a water tower.

You obviously would have to have some supportive equipment for this process. Like enough land to grow food or at least produce that you can extract oil from. A machine for extracting that vegetable oil for making diesel (some suggest a bio reactor and grow algae) and load up on alot of small equipment that is manual (like spice grinders, flour / grain griders, meat griders to minimize your need for electricity, therefore reducing the size of your solar power system.

Jenny asks…

Whats the average American families power requirements in a single day?

im thinking about putting up solar panels on our family home . i was wondering what setup i would need. 200 watts off energy every day isnt going to sustain a house based on the assumption that the average american family uses …. 30 kw of energy in a single day (average DO NOT quote this)

admin answers:

Well you can figure it out yourself pretty closely if you wish to do a little math. Im pretty drunk, but basically add up your wattage of all your appliances. 1000w= 1kw. The meters read in kw/ hours. 24 hours in a day, and get your average. My families house is quite large and wasteful, which I can comment on positively at all, since I am “green” and definitely have my own thoughts on the enviroment. A good “safe” guess would be 3000 watt of constant use.

Have you thought of windpower? Much better if you can have it in your area. Lasts longer, and runs 24 hours a day. I would guess you need 6000 watts of solar panels, or a 3kw wind generator. Althought numbers look blurry at this point haha.

GO GREEN! Help out all the wasteful and polluting people!

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