Solar Power House One Viable Alternative To Power Shortage
People, the world over, are realizing that we are running out of natural resources. There will be one day, when there will be no potable water available to drink, no gasoline to use for the car, no hydro-power. Conservation of these priceless energy resources is one remedy. Another highly popular alternative emerging is the use of solar power.
The Solar Power House The House Of The Future
Solar power was first envisaged as the answer to rural power woes. In reality, it turned out that the installation of solar panels for the consumption of a village or hamlet was too high to be a feasible choice. Today, when the technology has brought out better, cheaper and more powerful solar panels, the rural solar power house seems a possibility again. This could mean that rural areas, too, can enjoy the benefits of electrification, without having to pay for it. Solar power is free!
What started as an alternative electricity source for rural areas, turned out to be a boon for the urban population as well. The rising costs of electricity and the increasing dependence on electric appliances, be it the air conditioner, the fridge, the TV, the DVD player, the kitchen robot, the electric oven and so on, almost crippled the urban population with its cost.
Desperate to escape the rising costs, the urbanites stumbled upon the solar power house possibility. There are now billions of people out there, who enjoy free electricity following the installation of solar power systems in their homes. The installation is costly, but it represents a one-time investment for a lifetime free source of electricity. The bargain is great!
The Solar Power House Has Other Advantages As Well
The solar power system offers great advantages to its users. The best and highest on the list is that they become independent of any power failure problem. The electricity they get from their solar power house is perennial and free. The solar panels today come with a guaranteed lifetime of 25 years however they are known to last at least double of this quote.
Side by side with enjoying free electricity, they also have the greatest satisfaction that by turning their home into a solar power house, they are actively contributing to the preservation of energy on the planet. This situation is a good example of having your cake and eating it too.
Your Questions About Solar Energy Pros And Cons
Chris asks…
What are other environmentally friendly alternative energy sources?
other than solar panels and turbines, what are other energy sources? what are the pros and cons to it? THANKS AND 10 POINTS FOR BEST ANSWER I SWEAR
also, what are the pros and cons to turbines?
admin answers:
Wind turbine.
Tide machine
Wave machine
Water temperature differential machine.
Geothermal
Pros should be obvious. Cons, they are usually expensive, and do not operate continuously, except for the last 2.
PS, turbines are not environmentally friendly, they are used in all oil and gas and coal fired plants.
Sandra asks…
What are the pros and cons for a solar energy law, figuratively speaking?
Pros:
Lower energy bills
A safer, greener environment
Cons:
High price to purchase and install
In Texas. Forgot to mention that.
admin answers:
It is actually very expensive and not every day is sunny, but on the other hand it is very very good for the environment
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Solar Power Information That Is Crucial For Anyone To Know
There is much available solar power information that is essential to learn and understand, in order to truly gain a proper grasp on the entire solar power situation. Solar power information and the matter of solar power is actually quickly increasing in popularity, primarily due to the upheaval in concern for the environment and for the world as a whole people in general are beginning to take more notice and try to involve themselves and participate by helping in whatever way they can. Its use is spreading even more as the environmental costs and limited supply of other power sources such as that of fossil fuels is realized.
Important Solar Power Information
The actual term solar power is used to describe a number of methods that involve the harnessing of energy from the light of the sun. Solar power can be used in many different facets and situations of life, including that of practically anything you can think of. Solar power is used in water heaters, fans, lights, as well as any type of battery charger you can think of, and more.
There are both many advantages and disadvantages to solar power. One advantage is due to the dangerous issue of Global dimming, which is an effect of pollution that is beginning to allow less and less sunlight to reach the earth’s surface. Global dimming is a matter which is rather intricately linked to that of Global warming, and is deeply of concern to proponents of solar power, due to the fact that there is an existing and potential future decrease in available solar energy.
Besides the advantages and disadvantages of solar power, there is also a lot of other solar power information that is quite crucial to know and understand. Solar power information basically involves anything which relates or bases around that of the issue of solar power, such as that of solar design in architecture, solar heating systems, solar cooking, solar lighting, and any and all other key or related matters.
Solar power is thought upon differently by each person, and it is a matter which is sure to be thought about even more as time goes by. This is because the continuing increase in pollution continues to bring the rise of concern in regards to such dilemmas as Global warming and Global dimming thus increasing the yearning of the public for solar powered products and services.
Learn Sun Power:(DVD) How to Set up Batteries, Inverter, Charge Controller, and Panels for a Complete Off-grid Solar Energy System
 | If you want to put together a solar power system yourself this DVD is for you. Although it covers an off-grid system it is just as helpful for someone who wants to be partially on grid but would rather set up the system themselves. This is not an overview but rather programmed instruction. This DVD shows, step-by-step, how a 650-watt, off-grid, do-it-yourself solar-panel system was set up. The system partially replaced a 2-gallon-a-day gasoline-driven generator system and was estimated to pay fo | |
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Your Questions About Solar Generators Hawaii
Sharon asks…
Is living in Hawaii practical for a loner with money?
I’ve been thinking that I want to just relax for a few years.
admin answers:
Yup, loner or not, Hawaii gotta place for evabody, ok? I know of place ova onna Big Island, nice house off the grid, got year round spring for water, solar lectric, windmll for well, to elevate pressure tank, also propane 15K generator, delivery from truck to 2000 gallon tank, use to cook, heat water, run fridge, end of 4 mile graded gravel road, with 5 acres of you own…if you really a loner, can’t get much more alone than that, so if you wanna be alone, this maybe place for you, ok? But, mobetta that you gotta heavy check book too, but hey that what you say, yeah? Peace and aloha to you!
Maria asks…
can I run a desktop computer with a solar panel?
I am moving to Hawaii and the house we are living in has independent electricity. (solar panels and gas powered generators.)
admin answers:
The system in the Hawaiian house has solar panels that charge a battery bank. If the sun doesn’t shine enough, the generator will kick on and provide the extra power needed. An inverter converts the DC voltage stored in the batteries to AC power that you plug into a wall outlet to use. Depending on the inverter, it should be exactly the same as the AC you buy from the electric company now, so anything that you currently plug in to use will work.
The exception is if they are using an inexpensive modified sine wave inverter, that doesn’t generate as clean power as a pure sine wave inverter. Some delicate electronics may have trouble running on it. You may want to ask the house owners which type of inverter it is. If they don’t know, ask them the model and you can easily look it up.
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Where To Find Solar Power Outdoor Lighting Products
There are many places available that offer solar power outdoor lighting products and most of them sell their products at reasonable prices. There is a wide multitude of options to choose from in regards to solar power outdoor lighting products and, depending on what sort of an overall look you are trying to achieve, the final decision will obviously primarily rely on your own personal preference.
What Solar Power Outdoor Lighting Products Are Available?
There is a vast array of available solar power outdoor lighting products, including: general solar outdoor lights, solar spot lights, Malibu solar garden lights, solar flag pole lights, solar wall lights, solar lamp posts, solar security floodlights, solar floodlights, solar pillar and column lights, solar accent lights, solar house and address number lights, solar Christmas tree lights, solar floating pond and pool lights, solar marker lights, solar street lights, solar bollard lights, solar recessed deck and dock lights, and more.
Where Can I Find Solar Power Outdoor Lighting Products?
There are many available locations across the world that offer these types of products, including that of the Rittenhouse, which offers a wide variety of solar products that help you to beautify your garden at both day and night, with their contemporary solar lights that are the perfect synthesis of solar technology and garden art.
One of their most popular products is the Firefly, which is a stainless steel garden stake that is topped off with a delicate hand-blown cracked glass globe. The Firefly works by having its solar panel convert photons into electrons during the daytime, while it charges the rechargeable batteries. Afterwards, during the nighttime, it is these batteries which power the high efficiency LED source, which then will turn on automatically once the night comes.
The Firefly is an incredibly attractive type of solar powered light, and is easy to relocate, and most importantly, by using this light you are making a conscious choice to help the environment by using a renewable source of energy, rather than that of the earth’s fossil fuels. The most primary offered features of the Firefly are: the amber LED light will last 100,000 hours includes two rechargeable AA batteries superior quality solar cell keeps the product lit for a minimum of 6-8 hours and a detachable bottom stake which allows for two different size stakes in order to be able to accommodate various sized plants and flowers.
Your Questions About Solar Energy Generator Price
Lizzie asks…
Is it better to store a solar battery in the sun or in a drawer?
I have a 4000 mah, portable solar battery. I got it to charge my e cigs and cell phone, while I’m partying I’m the woods next summer. Would it be better to keep it in my window where it gets charged every day or should I put it in a drawer or somewhere out of the light, until I need to use it.
admin answers:
Without batteries to store energy you would only have power when the sun was shining or the generator was running. This tutorial describes the 4 basic types of batteries & provides some good tips on the care & feeding of your batteries to maximize their performance and life.
1) RV / Marine / Golf Cart : RV or Marine type deep cycle batteries are basically for boats & campers and are suitable for only very small systems. They can be used but do not really have the capacity for continous service with many charge/discharge cycles for many years. Regular or Car type batteries should not be used at all because they cannot be discharged very much without internal damage. A very popular battery for small systems is the Golf Cart battery. They are somewhat more expensive than deep cycle recreational batteries but are probably the least expensive choice for a small system on a budget.
Industrial strength : Flooded, Gel, and AGM sealed batteries
The next 3 types are the heavier industrial type batteries. They are all also considered Deep Cycle and are usually Lead Acid types with much thicker internal plates that can withstand many deep discharge cycles. These next 3 are all designed for alternative energy systems.
2) Flooded types : These are Lead acid batteries that have caps to add water. Many manufacturers make these types for Solar Energy use. Trojan, Surrette, and Deka are probably the most well known. They are reasonably priced and work well for many years. All flooded batteries release gas when charged and should not be used indoors. If installed in an enclosure, a venting system should be used to vent out the gases which can be explosive.
3) Gel : Not to be confused with maintenance free batteries, sealed gel batteries have no vents and will not release gas during the charging process like flooded batteries do. Venting is therefore not required and they can be used indoors. This is a big advantage because it allows the batteries to maintain a more constant temperature and perform better.
4) AGM : Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are in my opinion the best available for Solar Power use. A woven glass mat is used between the plates to hold the electrolyte. They are leak/spill proof, do not out gas when charging, and have superior performance. They have all the advantages of the sealed gel types and are higher quality, maintain voltage better, self discharge slower, and last longer. The Sun Xtender series by Concorde Battery is an excellent example of AGM batteries. They are more expensive, but you usually get what you pay for. You will find this type of battery used in airplanes, hospitals, and remote telephone/cell tower installations.
Sandra asks…
What is the best type of battery to use for a solar battery bank?
And where can I find them at a decent price in central Florida?
And what is an appropriate gauge for the battery cables?
admin answers:
HEY READ THIS ARTICLE … I have attached the link too … I like the question … Wanted to learn … So i looked up 🙂
Solar Power 101
Batteries
By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM
This article is the first in a series of what will be a beginner’s course in solar electricty. Simultaneously we have instituted a Home Energy Information (www.homeenergy.info) section on our website where you can ask questions of Jeff Yago, the author of this series. Yago is a licensed professional engineer and certified energy manager who has writtten many energy articles for BHM. He has extensive solar thermal and solar photovoltaic system design experience, and is author of Achieving Energy Independence — One Step At A Time, which includes many solar system wiring examples. It is available from the Backwoods Home Bookstore or by calling 804-457-9566. Those interested in solar electricity will want to save these articles for future review when planning your solar system.
I am getting numerous requests from readers wanting very specific guidance on how to install their own solar electric systems. Many have already found that this process is a little like trying to build an automobile by purchasing parts from a NAPA dealer. For example, you can buy a brake drum, wheel bearing, and oil filter, but since your car does not yet exist, how do you know what parts you need, what parts will fit with other parts, and how should these parts be wired together.
During the next few issues, I will take you through the “basics” of solar system design and installation, and answer your specific questions as we go along. This course will continue on the Backwoods Home Magazine website (www.backwoodshome.com) under their new Home Energy Information (www.homeenergy.info) section. You will be able to e-mail your installation questions and offer suggestions for future home energy saving articles.
Before I can help you design your own solar power system, you have to understand that there are actually many different types of solar power systems, for many different applications.
System types
Some solar power systems are 12-volt DC due to the many low voltage RV and boating lighting and appliances available, and do not have a utility line connection. These DC only systems can be used to power several DC lights in a remote cabin, or a DC well pump in a field for watering cattle. Some solar power systems have an inverter to convert a 12, 24, or 48-volt DC battery voltage into 120-volt AC power to operate standard household appliances. Some grid connected solar power systems are designed for direct connection to your utility line and do not use any batteries at all.
Hybrid solar power systems can include a battery bank, a solar array, a generator, and even a wind turbine to provide power at all times with the utility grid serving only as backup. Inverters and solar arrays are available in many different styles, voltages, and wiring configurations. Some solar arrays are mounted on the roof, some on the top of a pole, and some are ground mounted, with each having different wiring rules.
If you visit a solar home that has a well designed and properly installed solar power system, you will find the concept is actually fairly simple. The hard part is knowing what wiring layout was best for this specific home, what size and quantity of each system component was required, and what wire size and fuses were needed to keep from burning down the house.
Batteries
One of the most misunderstood parts of a solar power system is the battery or battery bank, and that is where our class begins. Some solar battery banks use wet cells, like golf cart batteries, while others use sealed or gel cell batteries, and each have different temperature, mounting, and ventilation requirements.
Every battery is designed for a specific type of charge and discharge cycle. Car batteries have thin plates to keep their weight down and are designed for a heavy discharge lasting a few seconds, followed by a long period of slow re-charge. A 6-volt golf cart battery (size T-105) is the minimum battery I recommend for a residential solar application. You will need to buy these in “pairs” to make 12 volts. Golf cart batteries have very thick plates and are designed for hours of heavy discharge each day, followed by a fast recharge in only a few hours each night. This is similar to the duty cycle of a residential solar application, only in reverse. A solar battery must be able to provide long periods of deep discharge each evening and night, followed by a full recharge in only a few hours of sunlight each afternoon. Very few batteries can take a deep discharge-recharge cycle every day, and the 6-volt golf cart battery is the least expensive and easiest to find locally that can.
For some reason, everyone wants to use a sealed marine battery for their homegrown solar system. I strongly recommend that you do not. Included is a photo showing a sealed marine battery that “exploded” after being connected to a small solar charger for several months.
Even though this was a small 12-volt DC 5-amp solar charge controller powered from a single 50-watt solar photovoltaic module, this was enough energy to gradually overcharge the battery and evaporate all of the electrolyte even though this battery was “sealed.” A low electrolyte level can expose the plates which will gradually warp or “grow” in thickness as they oxidize. This can cause an internal short circuit and ignition of the hydrogen gas.
Plate damage can also occur when there is a large buildup of sediment after the upper plate areas become exposed from reduced water levels and begin to “flake” off. Most liquid acid batteries do not vent gasses while discharging. However, near the end of a typical charging cycle, when the battery is almost “full,” the sulfuric acid and water electrolyte will begin to break down into hydrogen and oxygen—a very explosive combination.
When ignited by a nearby spark or flame, an “explosion” can result, but this flash lasts only a fraction of a second, which is usually too fast to ignite nearby walls. However, this is still a very explosive reaction, with plastic battery parts becoming acid-covered shrapnel. While using a hand grinder one day in a shop, I accidentally directed the sparks towards several car batteries being charged about 30 feet away. There was a very loud explosive sound with acid and plastic hitting every wall of the large shop, yet I did not see a flame and there was no fire. Regardless, it was not a pleasant experience.
Always wear eye protection and acid proof gloves when working around batteries, and have lots of water and baking soda nearby. This will neutralize any acid spills from battery refilling and prevent further corrosive damage.
A typical 6-volt golf cart battery will store about 1 kilowatt-hour of useful energy (6 volt X 220 amp-hr X 80% discharge = 1056 watt-hours). Since this would only power two 50-watt incandescent lamps for 10 hours (2 X 50 X 10 = 1000 watt-hours), your alternative energy system will most likely require wiring several batteries together to create a battery bank. Since each golf cart battery weighs almost 65 pounds, there are weight considerations as well as battery gas venting issues to think about.
An area of a garage or storage building having a concrete floor is the most common location for a battery bank, although some large systems have their own specially designed battery room. I am going to assume you are installing a much smaller system and will only require four to eight batteries.
If you need more than the 220 amp-hr capacity contained in each golf cart battery, I suggest switching to the larger “L-16” size traction battery, having a 350 amp-hour rating, which may allow using fewer batteries. This battery is the same length and width as a golf cart battery, but is much taller and twice as heavy. This is an excellent battery for solar applications and can take very heavy charge-discharge cycling. This industrial rated battery may be more difficult to find, as it is only available from battery wholesale distributors.
Batteries can lose over half of their charge when exposed to extreme temperature swings, so be sure your proposed battery location stays in a 50° to 80° F range, or you will need to insulate the battery box. Since liquid batteries require refilling and battery terminal cleaning to remove corrosion several times each year, the floor area selected should be able to take an occasional acid spill and water wash down.
Battery venting is very important as discussed earlier, and if you build an enclosure around your batteries, it should be designed to direct all vented gasses to the outside. A 2-inch PVC pipe makes a good vent, but be sure it is located at the highest point in your battery enclosure where the lighter hydrogen gas will accumulate. Be sure it also includes a screened vent cap to keep out rain and insects. Do not locate your battery bank near a gas water heater or other open flame appliance that could ignite any accidental hydrogen accumulation.
A battery box can be built using standard 2 x 4 framing construction, with pressure treated plywood lining the interior surfaces. A hinged top door is needed for periodic battery maintenance, and should include a gasket to prevent gases from entering the room. Note how the top of the site-built battery box shown in these photos slopes up to a high rear area where two PVC vent pipes are located. The interior plywood surfaces of this wood frame construction were painted with several coats of fire and acid resistant paint. Since batteries lose capacity with lower temperatures, your batteries should not rest directly on a cold uninsulated concrete floor.
Pressure treated 2 x 4s on edge, spaced every 6 inches and covered by a fiberglass laminated concrete board, makes an excellent base for your battery box. This heavy sheet material is sold in most building supply outlets as a backing behind ceramic tile work in wet shower stalls, and is usually available in smaller 2-foot by 4-foot sizes. By careful planning, you may be able to use the entire sheet without cutting or splicing.
If you can afford to invest in the more expensive gel or absorbed glass matte (AGM) batteries, you will have more flexibility in locating your battery bank, since these batteries do not need to be refilled and do not normally generate explosive gasses. The photo shows a large battery bank with the batteries mounted close together in a vertical steel rack. You do not need a vapor proof enclosure or vent pipe when using these batteries, however they cost almost 30 percent more without providing any additional life or storage capacity.
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Your Questions About Solar Energy Environments
Mary asks…
What impact does solar energy have on people, animals and the environment?
Im stuck on this question for homework and i have looked really hard to try and find it but i still can’t. I need the answer to this question:
What impact does solar energy have on people, animals and the environment? Thankyou for helping
admin answers:
The sun’s energy, when converted through photovoltaic cells, has the positive impact of being a renewable energy source as contrasted to fossil fuels.
The sun’s energy, as a heat source, can be positively used to to warm water via solar hot water heaters or cook food via solar ovens.
The sun’s energy heats the ocean which results in the wind. The temperature of the oceans, impacted by the sun and the location of the earth relative to the sun, also moderate the earth’s temperature making existence on the earth bearable for us humans.
Negative impacts of solar energy could be when there is an excess of sun that leads to sunburns, or excessively hot cars (that you should not leave animals, humans, or ice cream in).
A negative of solar energy may also be in the negative impact the making of photovoltaic cells has on the environment because of the energy they consume use and chemicals they emit during the manufacturing process.
Lisa asks…
What are the ways that Solar Energy is more environment-friendly and feasible than Nuclear Energy?
The more, the better. The arguments should be at least remotely feasible. I’m looking for ecological arguments why Solar Energy is a better alternative than Nuclear Reactors.
Just list as many as you can come up with.
admin answers:
Its all about the “after life” of the energy source. With solar panels there is some carbon and other things that can (hopefully) be reclaimed and recycled. With nuclear power you get things like Yucca Mountain. However, unless we invest in breeder reactors and breeder nuclear fusion to enrich the uranium waste into plutonium. This is great because the waste that would other wise be carted off to Yucca Mountain gets recycled.
Plutonium caries a stigma due to the fact that it can be easily weaponized. More over breeder plants use liquid sodium. Liquid sodium is highly volatile when exposed to air or water. They can also be cooled using helium.
The down falls of solar are that the productivity will decrease with the age of the panels. Disposal (nothing like radio-active storage). And power generation at night (overcome with the use of solar towers).
Solar power generation has very little environmental impact beyond mining the resources, manufacturing, and disposal.
Best of luck.
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Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
 | The Sunforce 44444 400 Watt Wind Generator uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum, this generator is also a great choice for powering pumps or charging batteries for large power demands. With a maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 amps, this device features a fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged. The 44444 is virtually maintenance free with only two | |
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What A Solar Power Panel Is And Where You Can Find One
What Is A Solar Power Panel?
A solar power panel is a semiconductor device which converts photons from the sun into electricity. A solar power panel has many applications and uses, and is considered as being particularly used in situations where electrical power from a grid is unavailable, and they are often electrically connected and encapsulated as a module, thereby termed as a photovoltaic array or solar power panel.
A solar power panel uses semiconductors which are made from silicon, and the generating of useable electrical energy that a solar power panel creates is considered to be the photovoltaic effect.
What Is The Photovoltaic Effect?
The photovoltaic effect consists basically of the fulfilling of two functions: photogeneration of charge carriers in a light-absorbing material, and separation of the charge carriers to a conductive contact that will transmit the electricity. It is actually the conversion of this which is titled the photovoltaic effect. In other words, the photovoltaic effect is the basic physical process through which a solar cell coverts sunlight into electricity the energy of a photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the semiconductor device.
A photovoltaic cell is principally made from doped silicon, and when a cell such as this is exposed to the sun’s electromagnetic rays, the photons in light transmit their energy to atoms in the connection. Basically, the photovoltaic effect is the phenomenon in which the incidence of light or other electromagnetic radiation upon the junction of two dissimilar materials, as a metal and a semiconductor, induces the generation of an electromotive force.
Where To Find A Solar Panel
There are many different locations that offer solar panels for the public to purchase, and if you are going to buy solar panels, you should remember to compare them by dollars per watt. Used solar panels are the best idea, and can be considered as bargains in several different ways. However, used solar panels produce less power per square foot than do new panels. As well, a modern solar panel might produce twice as much power as an old one of the exact same size however it will also cost you about twice as much.
Solar panels are obviously essential to the process of solar power, and are an incredibly important matter to thoroughly understand if you are hoping to actually learn anything about the solar power process.
Your Questions About Solar Generators For Home Use
George asks…
How does an electric inverter used at the tail end of wind generator stay in phase with the power company.?
how does an electric inverter used at the tail end of either home solar panels or wind generator stay in phase with the incoming household current. It would seem to me that if the phase was just slightly out of time with that from the power company, much of the power produced would be lost.
admin answers:
The best inverters use a pulse-width-modulated output and a low-pass power filter for the line frequency (60 Hz or 50Hz). The high voltage DC input is modulated at a rate in the 20-40 kHz range or even higher. The modulation is controlled directly by the line to which the power is fed into. Some of these inverters can run in the high 90% efficiency range.
For the PWM inverter to work, whatever the output of the generator, it must be converted (any phase, any frequency, or even DC) to high voltage DC. This can be done independantly of the line frequency or phase.
.
Sandy asks…
How to set up a wind power system in the home?
Hi yahoo answers tell me the procedure for setting up the power system in the home..
admin answers:
Electricity can be generated by building Windmills which rotate when there is wind blowing and generate electricity through a generator.Nowadays, the Technology is so improved that we can build our own Solar Panels or Wind Power Generators at home with materials available in our local hardware stores to generate electricity. This way we can eliminate or reduce our Electricity bill.
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OG 110 Solar Power Generator – GUARANTEED TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL UNIT FOR THE PRICE – OR WE WILL PAY YOU THE DIFFERENCE*
 | No installation needed! Stand-alone, self contained system consists of main generator unit and (2)-50 watt solar panels (100 watts energy). No need to connect to household wiring. Plug the solar panels into solar generator unit and you're ready to go. Uninterrupted backup power for Home or Business. Power Outage or Natural Disaster? This unit provides up to 1500 amp hours of household electricity. Enough to run almost any electronic product or appliance you might connect to your home wall outlet | |
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The Benefits Of Having A Solar Power Home
The issue of having a solar power home has become one of incredible popularity, especially as of recently. This is due to many reasons, especially the fact that so many people are becoming more considerate of the environment and the world as a whole, and are taking time to consider other options that save and protect the earth’s fossil-fuels as best they can.
What Is A Solar Power Home?
A solar power home is a home which has all its forms of electricity run by solar powered mechanisms, rather than the conventional form of electricity. There are many myths, advantages, and disadvantages that surround the matter of a solar power home, and all of these should be carefully and thoroughly considered and discussed in order to be able to gain a proper and correctly knowledgeable viewpoint on the subject matter.
For example, a few of the common misconceptions surrounding a solar power home are: too expensive, won’t provide enough power for large applications, won’t work during the winter, only provides power when it is sunny or windy, too difficult to install and maintain, only last for a short length of time, unreliable, useless at night, inefficient, and not worth it or simply not profitable.
Although there are, of course, certain disadvantages with a solar power home, as with anything else, most of the myths and discussed disadvantages are simply not true. For instance, solar power is actually quite cheap and, as well, solar panels in fact work better in winter, because of the huge temperature change in the weather. It does not need to be sunny outside for solar power to work efficiently, as solar panels use the changes in temperature in order to provide electricity.
As well, the modern solar panels that are available today are heavy duty, reliable, and usually come with lengthy warranties. In the event of a black out, a home that is powered by solar power will thus remain unaffected, with a battery supply and also a constant supply of wind and solar power in order to keep the battery system full.
An interesting fact is that the government in some areas is actually considering a new law that will make all new homes and buildings required to have solar panels on them. Not only could these solar panels provide extra power to the electrical grid, but also to that of emergency power for owners, and even dramatically decrease the electricity shortage.
Your Questions About Solar Energy Generator Companies
Steven asks…
How do the energy companies generate ac power?
and how could I build myself an ac generator, can it be done with photovoltaic cells or would that be dc, Im trying to emphasize using a power inverter powered by solar charged 12 volt batteries, would this work. Any help apprciated.
admin answers:
Various ways, but in the US, mainly coal fired boilers driving turbines, which drive generators.
Some oil fired, some hydroelectric, some wind, some solar, some nuclear.
You can buy a solar array and use that to keep a battery charged, and run an inverter from the battery to generate 120 or 240 VAC. You will need a charge controller between the solar array and the battery, which regulates the charge to the battery.
.
Maria asks…
Do power companies store excess energy during times of low demand?
Power companies always shut down generation plants when there is low demand in the power grid, but they always have to maintain a safety margin – perhaps 10% or more power than the grids demand.
Do they STORE this excess/unused power? what happens to unused power.
admin answers:
I read up a bit on this and here what I’ve found:
Like your car’s Alternator there is no “extra” power that is created without demand. Meaning if everyone shuts off their A/C’s in a big city the power plant’s generators simply slow down or shut off.
The safety margin is that they try to preemptively have power “potential” that is on the ready – maybe some turbines spinning, ready to accept load. Given, running a power generation source without load is wasteful but it is acceptable since even the power companies cannot tell when exactly or how much demand will change. They usually make up the needed power from providers while they increase capacity – if they can.
You car’s alternator is good example – once you get up to speed above an idle, it is making more power than the engine, the basic accessories and the battery needs. If you could monitor the drag or draw of the alternator on your car as you turned devices on a off you would see how load makes the alternator put out more power – while spinning at the same rate. Your engine has to absorb the drag of the alternator by increasing fuel consumption or idle speed. Your alternator is simply using regulating the voltage going out and its’ speed determines the amperage potential. At about 2500 rpm your alternator is putting at about 70% of capacity.
The easiest way to see this is turn on all your accessories at idle and you should see the headlights dim a bit. Raise the engine speed and notice that they brighten but only so much.
Overall the generators that power company’s use are far more efficient than the alternator in your car so any waste is simply there to feed our ravenous need for power.
The only utilities that are planning for storage for solar and wind, since the sun sets and winds change. Those methods range from air compression, to molten salt to flywheels and many others.
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The Benefit Of Solar Power For Residential Homes
When we think solar power, the first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it is environmental friendly. However, this is not the only benefit that solar power for residential homes brings.
Solar Power Benefits
Lower electricity bills, or not having a bill at all, are the first and foremost issues that have many home owners convinced to make the switch the solar power. It is one of the best incentives solar power for residential homes has to offer and is on the top of the benefits list. In due course you will only lower your electricity bill but you can also make some money by selling the excess energy that you produce from your solar power installation.
A solar power system also requires little to no maintenance at all. It is easy to install and has practically no wiring to worry about. This feature will help you save money in the long run as there will be no repairs, replacing etc to be done.
Solar power is extremely environmentally friendly. This feature is the reason why solar power was tapped into the first place. As we all are painfully aware, our earth is getting more polluted on a daily basis and anything that we can do to prevent it is a step towards having a better environment not only for us but also for the generations to come.
Solar Power Disadvantages
Even something that sounds this good has disadvantages and they are:
The cost of solar power for residential homes is considerably high however, there are many incentives made available both by the government and private sector to assist homeowners in installing solar power for their homes.
The other disadvantage may be the location of your home in relation to the sun. In order to produce electricity the solar panels need to be facing directly to the sun for a considerable amount of time during the day failing which it will not be possible to create the electricity desired.
Other Ways To Implement Solar Power In Residential Homes
On the market today, there are a number of appliances available, which are powered to solar energy such as ventilators, flash lights, radios and video cameras to name a few.
It is important that we all make an effort to adopt the solar power in the residential home we live not only for your benefit but also for a preserving a better environment for our children and the generations after them.
Solar power in residential homes has been on the increase in the last years as more homeowners are finding the benefits of the solar energy to be much more than the disadvantages of the same. For more information on how you too can switch to solar energy visit any specialized site on the matter today and help make earth a better place for all of us.
Your Questions About Solar Energy Jobs
David asks…
Is there any kind of training for something related to solar energy?
I heard in solar energy jobs is growing. I want to learn more about it & maybe working in that field. Where can I take training class in San Jose, California?
admin answers:
ITT tech insitute
Michael asks…
What are some jobs created by using solar energy?
I mean how is solar energy contributing to the job market?
Is it creating more jobs? If so, which ones?
If not, why not?
admin answers:
It requires people to manufacture the solar cells (in a semi-conductor plant) as well as people to get up on roofs to install them, PV doesn’t require much maintenance although solar thermal (pretty much restricted to large scale generation) does require quite a bit of maintenance.
The diffuse nature of solar power means that you need a lot of collectors to get a decent amount of power out of it so solar would create quite a lot of jobs for the amount of power generated which is one of the disadvantages of solar power compared to other more concentrated forms of power. Creating jobs isn’t really of much use if the jobs are useless and having more people working in the energy industry than necessary means that there are less people available to work elsewhere (though there are much better arguments against ground based solar power).
If we reduced our energy usage by the levels that many solar and wind proponents want us to then we’d probably find we don’t have enough energy to run any of our factories (although those levels are never going to happen so it isn’t a very realistic worry).
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What Do You Understand By Solar Power Inverter
Today, when the whole world is looking for alternatives to renewable energy, solar power seems to be an excellent choice. If there is something we will always have in plenty, it is the solar power. It is true that it takes some investment to set up the solar power inverter and panels, but once it is done, the electricity cost you consume will dwindle to almost nothing.
The Many Uses Of A Solar Power Inverter
The application of the solar power inverter is now more versatile than ever. What started targeting homes and offices now are found in gyms, factories, schools, and even gardens and glasshouses. You will find solar power inverters everywhere today. You look around you and wherever you think electricity is needed, you can now use a solar power inverter.
Is It Cost Efficient To Use Solar Power?
It is true that there is a substantial investment required initially to set up the solar power inverter. Nevertheless, once it is installed it has the capacity to cut the annual bills to a fraction of what it was. On an average, a family of four would pay a bill of 1500-2000 per year. However, after the solar power takes over, the cost for the electricity would be about 300 per year. In a few years, whatever investment you have made will be reimbursed. In addition, you will have the mental satisfaction that you have contributed to the global conservation of energy.
There are many ways to improve on the investment costs as well. For this, you will have to use special strategies. If your home is situated in a cold climate area, you will have different ways to conserve and collect solar power. For example, you would need to use a dark roof surface to attract more sun in winter. You will also need to have the majority of your windows facing south to capture the sun in the winter. At night, it would be advantageous to use insulated shutters to conserve heat.
On the other hand, if your home were situated in a hot climate area, you would use other strategies to ensure the best use of your solar power inverter. For, example a sunny home should be having a good number of porches and patios to protect it from direct sun on the walls. Here, the roof may be of light color to reflect the sun as much as possible.
Wherever you use it, if it is installed well, the solar power inverter would pay for is cost within maximum two years, and then you can enjoy free electricity as a gift from nature.
Your Questions About Solar Generators
Steven asks…
Is the usage of Wind Powered Generators & Solar Generators Illegal in Singapore?
I’m planning to buy either a Wind Powered Generators, Solar Generators or a Hybrid Generator to be more “Green” & at the same time save on electric bills… I’m able to install such a generator on my home…
admin answers:
Its sad that Singaporeans should ask such questions. We are so timid. At the very worst you get a fine for installing green equipments. Take a MRT ride where you can see many terrace houses. You will find many with solar roofs.Their owners are not languishing in Changi prison. As for wind power, Singapore is not windy whole year round. Best stick with solar panels.
Maria asks…
Can a solar generator and panels be hooked up to a trailer home on a rural field?
I plan on moving a newly manufactured trailer home onto around ten acres of rural field. I need a source of power, i have found solar power can be fairly inexpensive in the long run, though i have been told trailer homes cannot be hooked up to solar generators and panels. Is this true? if not how do i hook six 80 watt panels up to the trailer home?
admin answers:
USA Yes you can, unless there is a local municipal ordinance against it – which I have never heard of. But, why 80 watt panels? The industry standard is 230 watt. Six 80 watt panels won’t even power a normal refrigerator (they’re usually 700 watts). If you have all the parts and equipment, or if you can get them for free, then it is worth it to hook them up. But, if you have to buy the items, the average cost is $5 per watt, which is $2400.00 for a 480 watt set up. Generating 480 watts per hour will total 5000 watts on a good day. That is about $0.50 worth of electricity. At $0.50 per day, it will take you 4800 days – that is more than 13 years – just to break even.
You should add up the power requirements for everything in the home that might be used at the same time – cooking, refrig, cooling or heating, well pump, lights, TV – and base the size of your system on how many watts you will need. If you can, go more than what you need and sell the extra to the utility. They have to buy it from you.
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Solar Power Boat The Modern Day Boat
Expert sailors insist that boats should be equipped with as much solar backup power as possible. There is no other power source, at present, which can give you electricity better or more conveniently. All you will need is to make a one-time investment in the installation of the solar panels on the boat. Then, you will have a perennial source of electricity that needs no maintenance, nor imposes any recurring costs.
The Advantages Of Having A Solar Power Boat
The solar power boat is indeed the best that we can have today. Just think, this is a boat which can produce its own electricity, have no bills for producing or using it and it can last forever. The solar panels available today come with a guarantee for 25 years, which is a conservative estimate of their life. In reality, the panels can last double the time or more.
A solar power boat can be the answer to all those sailors who want to be free of any tie-ups’ to the world while sailing. You can do without gasoline, petrol or generators and still have all that you need in terms of electricity on your board. The best part is that the solar panels, once installed, will be working for you for a lifetime. This makes for a very wise investment.
Another great advantage of having a solar power boat is that you will never need to ration the use of electricity again when you are at sea. With the solar power boat you can produce as much electricity as you will need, so you will not have to bother about how much electricity you are using or worry whether it would last you during the trip or not.
One thing you will need to ensure is that your solar panels can convert as much electricity as it is required for you to be comfortable on your boat. Many complain of lack of space for installing adequate solar paneling, for which they have to complement the solar power with conventional sources of electricity.
There are many types of solar panels being manufactured today, specially keeping in mind this problem. Though the solar panels are today smaller and more powerful than they ever were, this problem is still not fully addressed. The day there will be an adequate design for the solar paneling, will be the day when people can enjoy totally free of worry trips to any destination, without having to worry about how long will their generator last.
Your Questions About Solar Energy Generator Suppliers
Mark asks…
Does the excess solar power you make from your home solar panel go back into the grid?
I know someone that has solar panels on their house. They say that the extra electricity they make goes back into the grid and they get paid for it.
Now i was wondering, as they have no way of storing the electricity(elec) they make, that this means that any elec they make must be used at the time of making the elec, i.e if they happened to be boiling the kettle and the sun was shining then they could immediately use their solar generated elec.
But what if the sum of the elec they generate is greater than what they immediately need?
Then this extra elec goes back onto the grid?
If so how does the grid manage this extra supply of elec(even if it is tiny, it’s still surplus?) as i would imagine the grid already has some way of knowing how much elec should be needed.
Or does this extra supply go back to some storage batteries or however the grid may store elec.
Confusing i know, but basically how does the grid manage the elec they need plus any extra from home users?
If you imagine a river with lots of little streams pouring into it, the more rain the more these streams fill the river adding surplus water, same idea with the elec.
admin answers:
Sending your excess energy to the grid is a very convenient arrangement and small suppliers normally get paid as much (sometimes more!) for the kWh they supply as for that which they draw; often ending up with net income. So you notice no inconvenience or interruption with your power supply due for example to the vagaries of batteries.
No one seems to address your central question about where the supplied energy goes. Well, it may, as you say, ever so slightly upset the balance of input and output power on the grid and this will cause all the generators and the grid frequency to speed up just a tiny amount. Because of such imbalances between supply and consumption occurring from minute to minute on the grid, the frequency is constantly monitored and generator loads are always being adjusted to maintain the frequency which can nevertheless vary by 1 or 2 percent from its nominal value at any time. Over a whole day the frequency is adjusted so as to achieve exactly the correct total number of cycles, which keeps any mains-powered clocks at the correct time. So an extra 2 kW that you supply may be taken by a load which happens to switch in at the same time and if not then ultimately the load being supplied by a generator somewhere will be reduced by 2 kW. In the end then, there is an energy storage buffer in the grid in the form of the kinetic energy of its connected generators but it is not much and requires pretty continuous control to stabilize it.
James asks…
Anyone know where I could access solar panel and wind generator for small home from reliable supplier? Thanks?
Try to help small village home with their drought, electricity, farming, small industry, pump and water problems. They got plenty of wind and sunshine but rather dispense with fuel operational cost. Perhaps wind generator and solar panel generator could be the solutions. Besides being a good standby reliable no cost operation it also help prevent greehouse emission. Looking for a reliable products and supplier both for sosial and commercial purpose. Appreciate any website you could introduce me to. Thank you.
admin answers:
Http://www.mytscstore.com/
i know that tractor supply company carries solar panels but they are not high producing. Each set cost around 300 bucks not including the batteries. I’m going to use complete solar energy for my house. I figured that it would take 3 sets of solar panels from tsc. Each set using 4 marine batteries would cost 2500 to 3000 bucks and it would produce enough power run my most basic energy needs. As far as wind mills i haven’t checked that idea out yet but i will soon enough. I hope that you find what you need. Good luck.
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