solar panel

Your Questions About Solar Generators Reviews

James asks…

Anyone read this solar panel ebook before?

I have come across an ebook which talking about building own solar panel and wind generator in less than $200. Anyone read this ebook before? Is the method taught inside it working? My friend, who is an engineer is thinking to purchase one and would like to know some review from those who have read it before. Thanks.

This is the website for the solar panel’s ebook: http://ourguide.brinkster.net

Thanks again.

admin answers:

The only people I trust, since they have been into alternative energy since 1969 , is the folks who run a magazine called Mother Earth News. I’ve got the magazine now for 30 years and several times a year they publish information on how to make your own solar panels, wind generators, hydroelectric and solar drying and dehydrators, and tons of great ideas.

They also have an extensive library, including e-books, of authors who have published articles in their magazine. Get their magazine, like I said I’ve been getting it for 30 years or more and I still eagerly await every issue. It’s all about sustainable living and doing things yourself. Plus it’s only about $10 a year subscription.

Look at their online site to get some ideas and maybe look at their alternative energy library. Whatever books or DVD’s I purchased from them have always been excellent

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy.aspx

Ruth asks…

I am making a model of a miniature eco friendly city, Please help!?

We’ll be making many small houses, showing different means of non-conventional power resources and their uses. One of the house will have a small LED light, which will be using a small solar cell, which I’ll take out from a Simple calculator. The other house will have a hydro-generator, that is, a small motor, used in electric car toys, which will too generate electricity.
Can anyone give me any more ideas, and review my current ideas?
Will they actually work?

admin answers:

If you could find a piece of tile, or a clay pot, and it it on the “south wall” of the house. Ad take an incandescent light to simulate the sun (incandescent for the heat) this will act as a heat storage wall. (one way to save on heating bills is to have clay/tile floors or walls, with the southern sun directly on it. Some walls even can have water capsuls in them. And this takes the sun’s heat and retains it for the night.

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Your Questions About Solar Energy Generator Price

Jenny asks…

I wan to install solar panels in all my windows. Any help and can I get enough energy?

I am living in a high rise apartment. I have heard of solar panels use for all sorts of things but I have not heard of solar panels being install in any window. Windows are normally inserted vertically. If it can be done, I would save a lot of money on my electrical bills on all electrical ancillary items. It is so scary to have electrical bills going up everyday with the increase onwards of fuel prices.

admin answers:

Solar power windows can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. This type of window actually doubles as a solar panel for the home. The are generally designed to keep cold air out of the home. If you’re looking to improve your home and to make it a green home, then purchasing solar panel windows and installing them is a project you will want to do. Follow this guide to install your new solar power windows.

Step 1 – Understand What the Window Is

Before you install the new windows, you should understand what they do. Solar power windows are made with solar panels. The solar panels allow the passage of light through the window into the home. In addition, it also produces energy for the home. In 2008, scientists created a much more powerful solar paneled window for home use. Some research shows that these newer panels are 10 times more effective in drawing out energy for the home. If the home has a generator that can connect the solar power to produce energy, it will become much more efficient in energy production and less dependent upon traditional energy resources.

Step 2 – Remove Old Windows

Remove the old windows from the home. Tape up the hole that you just created, especially if you don’t plan on installing the new windows just yet. You can usually pull out the old window by removing the window framing and the window sill. The window should just pop out.

Step 3 – Add the New Solar Window

Installing solar powered windows is similar to installing a regular window. It comes with a frame and a sash, a sill and any necessary hardware. Install the window from the outside of the home to the inside. It will usually pop into place. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the window, as the solar properties will reduce if the window is damaged. Add the sash, the sill and the frame. Nail into place.

Step 4 – Connect to the Generator

Follow the directions on your solar powered window. There will be instructions on how to appropriately connect the window to the solar generator. If you don’t have a solar generator, you can skip this step. Understand that in order to harness the solar effects the windows create, you will need to have a generator or power pack that can change this energy from solar into usable energy for your home.

Step 5 – Clean the Window

Using a non-abrasive solution, clean your window. Usually water and newspaper works the best. Don’t use razors or any other types of sharp objects on your window, because you will ruin the solar properties.

Good luck!

Sandra asks…

Why should people use solar panels more for houses?

I need to write a pressuasive essay on why we should use solar panels more than we do. and convince people that their good and stuff.. if u guys could give me some good key reasons why..that would be great.

admin answers:

Hey Dave. There are lots of good reasons why we should use more solar panels. To set one thing straight, panels do not have toxins in their manufacture. Photovoltiac panels, the ones that produce electricity are made up almost entirely of silicone, aluminum and acrylic. The other type, that heat water and air from the sun are made primarily of sheet metal, copper and glass, and have a type of alcohol called glycol running through them. It’s the same type that we use to deice aircraft in the winter.

Whsgreen is quite right on the payback. If you invest properly in solar power today and take advantage of any grants and tax incentives, even if your electric rates do not go up as they are forecast too, you will get your money back over time, well within the lifetime of the equipment, and sooner if there is a rate increase in the future. There are also enviromental benefits. At one time there was an argument that a solar panel will never produce as much power as was used to manufacture it. First of all, this is not correct. The, “Embodied Energy,” in a solar panel is earned back in 2 – 6 years, depending on the type panel, where the raw materials were shipped from, and how it was installed and used in the end. Most panels are warrantied to last at least 25 years, and most last much longer than that. But the argument is not important anyway. We have been living with electricity for over a century now, so it isn’t going away anytime soon. The question is, “What is the best way to produce it?” If you build a panel, and put it along side a similar sized natural gas fired turbine generator for example, which earns back its embodied energy sooner? The answer is the gas turbine never does, because once you build it, ship it and install it, you now have to feed it natural gas for the rest of its life, so it keeps on digging itself a deeper and deeper embodied energy hole that it can never crawl out of. At least the panel has a chance to get even environmentally. So manufacturing and using solar panels in the end releases less pollution into our environment.

There are also mechanical and political benefits. We all know after the oil embargo of 1973, and the gulf war what it means for our country to rely on foreign oil. Wouldn’t it be nice if we only shipped in 20% of our energy instead of 60% the next time something like that happens? Our home has been powered by the wind and sun for years now, but we still remain connected to the electric grid. Last year alone there were two power failures in our county that lasted about a half day each. In both cases, we were not aware of them because our solar array kept on feeding the house. It’s difficult to put a price tag on something like that.

Beyond the mechanical, political and environmental benefits however, lies a less obvious benefit, the social benefit. Right now we pump oil out of the ground, and mine for coal. The process of getting those materials to market involves shipping, military escorts and other activities that use up a good portion of that energy as well as putting lives at risk. Jobs in solar power are higher tech than jobs in coal mining, oil drilling and shipping, and there are more of them. Using more solar power would require us to put more people to work, and increase our education base because the work involved requires certain skills. I would personally like to take all those people out of the coal mines, send them to school and put them to work building solar panels. Nobody would have to die again in one orf those dark holes in the ground trying to find food for our hungry power plants. They could work on a factory floor where they would not be exposed to coal dust, radon and other toxins and dangers. Most of our solar and wind resources are spread pretty evenly over the middle half of our globe, so everyone has access. This puts people in Bogota on a more equal footing with people in Boca Raton by giving them access to electricity, heat and clean water, and the education to use the solar resources that provide those things. Oil, coal and natural gas is generally piled up in a few places, such as Russia and the Middle East. This gives those countries and the richer governments that rule them more horse power in bargaining for the other resources of our planet. These are the things that wars are made of.

So there are lots of good reason to use more solar in our everyday life. Here are some resources to look up and do some of your own reading. Good luck Dave, and take care. Rudydoo

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Your Questions About Solar Energy International

Sandra asks…

Which types of Solar Energy are available in India?What is Solar Panel ?What is the scope of Solar Energy?

Picture of solar Panel.What is Solar Cooker?Advantages of Solar Energy.Disadvantages of Solar Energy.Uses of Solar Energy.

admin answers:

A photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel is a packaged interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. The photovoltaic module, known more commonly as the solar panel, is then used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications.

Because a single photovoltaic module can only produce a limited amount of power, many installations contain several modules or panels and this is known as a photovoltaic array. A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of photovoltaic modules or panels, an inverter, batteries and interconnection wiring.

Solar Energy Advantages :
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Saves you money :
————————

After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost. (visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about incentives available in the state you live in!).
If your system produces more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This nifty little scheme is called “net-metering”.

It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
Solar energy does not require any fuel.
It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

Environmentally friendly:
——————————–

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
It’s generated where it is needed.
By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

Independent/ semi-independent:
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Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

Low/ no maintenance:
—————————–

Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages:
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The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
As far as solar powered cars go – their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today’s rat race.

Mark asks…

How do I make my own country?

Well.. I have a massive ship out at sea. We have over 100 potential citizens, we’ve been out at sea in the Pacific for 13 years. When we’re near another country in international waters, we send rowboats to do some international business (buying food and whatnot). We are self sufficient in that we process seaweed snacks and fish. We are also energy efficient with solar energy. How do we apply for countryship?

admin answers:

Buy a bunch of dirt–a real big bunch–and find a place in the middle of the ocean where there is no country and put the dirt there. Build houses, make a flag and move in.

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Your Questions About Solar Generators Portable

Sandy asks…

What is the best way to power my refrigerator in my rv when not plugged in?

I have the original generator that came with the rv but it does need some work. I don’t really want to have to run the generator just to power fridge while between places. The fridge is an electric fridge. I had thought about a solar panel or maybe just a smaller portable generator. Any ideas? What do people do when they are between places for 8 hours or so and don’t want food to spoil?

admin answers:

Newer RV refrigerators have a variety of of ways to operate now; propane, 12 volt, and 110 volt power. You can purchase a newer one online. I would recommend a 110 volt or propane combo refer. That way when you are using shore power you can use the 110 volt to power the refer or when you are dry camping you can use the propane feature which is very efficient. Or option b: you can purchase a generator (2800 watt or larger) to power it on 110 volt. Option C opower your 110 volt refrigerator with solar panels would require an invertor (2000 watt or higher) as well as a large array of solar panels drilled into the roof accompanied by allot of 6 Volt (golf cart batteries).

Sandra asks…

Is their a generator small enough that will work with wii?

Is their a generator small enough that is at least 50 watts no more thatn 70watts taht fits a standard size house plug. I will go on a coach bus and i want to bring wii with me but i need a small generator. any ideas where i can get one.

admin answers:

I’m not sure what you mean by generator.. You maybe need a battery system.. But you would need to power a television along with it.. The Wii isn’t really set up as a portable system..

Check the link below.. Some people set up a solar power generator for their Wii..

Good luck..

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Your Questions About Solar Energy Calculator

George asks…

Q. How the electricity is produced by using solar energy?

Please describe in details how do the whole mechanisms work? How it is developed? What apparatus is required? How the solar panel is constructed and how it works? Explain me all questions by using 3d figures or images or video if available. I have no prior knowledge about solar electricity so; please guide me in the easiest way as much as possible; I want to make electricity for my home by using solar energy what should I do? How can I achieve or construct it myself?

admin answers:

Solar electric panels are made up of something called silicon, the same thing that makes up sand. There is more silicon on the planet than almost anything else. Even though you can find silicon almost everywhere, making a solar panel is difficult and expensive. The silicon has to be heated to super high temperatures in a big factory, and then formed into very thin wafers.

When sunlight hits a solar panel, it makes electrons in the silicon move around. (Electrons are teeny tiny specks–they?re way too small for us to see, even under a microscope.) The electrons flow through wires that were built into the solar panel. And presto! We have electricity! We can do whatever we want with this electricity, run a calculator, a CD player, or, if we have big enough solar panels, a satellite! [Solar panels are also called photovoltaic panels. “Photo” means light and “voltaic” means electricity.]

http://www.windandsolar.com/nss-folder/pictures/Solar%20Panels%20S%20Wind%20machines%208319%20W%20Sunset%20005.jpg

Before installing solar panels, make sure you are wearing safety goggles. Make sure you have read and understand the manuals for your installation equipment.

Mandy asks…

How do solar powered calculators work?

Explain how a solar powered calculator works. My solar powered calculator also works with, light from a light bulb, how is this?

admin answers:

A solar powered calculator uses a photovoltaic cell to convert light energy (photons) into electric current to power it. Any source of visible light should work, including a light bulb.

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Your Questions About Solar Generators For The Home

Robert asks…

Build a solar or wind propelled generator?

I want to know how to make a solar or wind propelled generator? First if i can make a solar and wind propelled generator and combine them to work at the same time. The solar panel can be around 12 volts. I just want to do this as a home project. I don’t want extreme power out of this. I am young but have a lot of experience with building electronics so keep it simple enough for me to do it.

admin answers:

Well i dont know much but i hope this will help, i whould imagine for the wind power you whould need the light propeler to be somehow conected to a magnetic generater. And for the solar power, well i dont know much about that but i hope to find out soon.

Sharon asks…

How many solar panels does it take to run an A/C unit? Also, How many batteries in an array?

I was wondering how many 700 W solar panels it would take to run a household A/C unit. Also curious how many batteries it would take to keep A/C running in inhospitable environments. Would a 3500 W inverter be enough if it were to run 220 AC?

admin answers:

Here we are doing the math of two facts to multiply or divide, to find the third, and you don’t give enough to make up the equation!

My 2.5 ton unit needs 220 VAC at 5 KW for the heater coils, and 3.5 KW for the cooling and fans, but, in electricity, we are always having to discriminate between inductive loads (transformers, oven coils, heater coils) and other uses, like lncandescent lighting.

To run my HVAC unit, in my 1,000 square foot home, would demand a10KW unit, and the 5200 watt (5500 watt Surge rated)
would not work. A generator simply stalls out under load, possibly smokes the generator electrics, while a solar unit and batteries can reverse potential under severe load, and explode!
The surge rating for my HVAC unit is 3X higher, (the Switching Load), for either heating or cooling. When figuring out the generator load for an emergency generator, for warranty purposes, they demand we install a generator with a ‘surge’ power rating triple the start-up load of our equipment, and that is the way to try to load your Solar panel, also!

Now, go to the hardware store, and get a booklet or pamphlet about emergency power generation, and look at the descriptions of the generator start up power capabilities for the ‘switching loads’!

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Your Questions About Solar Energy For Kids

Mark asks…

What do you think of creating your own wind and solar energy?

I stumbled across this site that shows you how to make your own windmill and solar panels… earth4energy.i8.com
Do you think it’s a good investment? If it works I’m a welder and I could pop a whole bunch of windmills up easy but thats only if this works.. What do you think?

admin answers:

Wind Power wouldn’t really benefit you unless you have a lot of wind near your house. Also Wind Turbines cause a lot of noise pollution (annoying noise) and kill birds (I’m not kidding, migratory birds get killed when they get near the turbine because they get stuck). I wouldn’t invest in wing power unless I live near the beach where there is a lot of wind or a place with a lot of wind.

It will take you about 10 years to get back the money you have invested in a solar panel. Keep in mind that the days get shorter during winter until the winter solstice and there is less sunlight. Solar Panels absorb very little of the energy of the sun.

Keep in mind what I said before investing in solar and wind power. I suggest waiting till the solar panel cost gets cheaper till you buy.

Betty asks…

Can you get solar energy when your renting a town house in Las Vegas?

Or do you still have to pay an electric bill with the energy company?

admin answers:

It would cost a substantial amount to eradicate an electric bill. Keep in mind that most states have laws regarding housing, specifically anything that is physical attached becomes the property of the property owner. This would apply even to something as simple as an under counter can opener.

If you want to maintain ownership get it in writing.

You will also need permission to make an addition to the property. A homemade window box collector would not need attaching necessarily but fits into a partially open window. Search it like
solar windowbox heater free plans Relatively easy to build and cost effective until some smart “S” kid throws a rock.

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Your Questions About Solar Energy International

Daniel asks…

I have a Solar Energy essay for Bio-Ecology.and i don’t know how to start?what could i do?

im having trouble on my essay.
i don’t know anything about solar energy.
we’re split into groups of four and my topic about solar energy is
SOLUTIONS;local,state,national and international.
what does that mean?
im lost?and my biology teacher he intimidates me,im too scared to ask for help.yikesss! 🙁

admin answers:

Each one in your group discusses possible solutions to the solar energy problem. One person take possible local solutions, another person takes possible state solutions, etc. Each person in your group should do their own research, and be prepared to present their material themselves. But then that’s just the way I’d do it….

Mary asks…

How do you build a solar panel out of household objects?

I’m doing my science fair project on solar energy and i need to know how to make a solar panel out of household objects. I found a website that said it is possible to build one out of a box, paint, plastic, and aluminum foil but I can’t find out how.

admin answers:

If you are trying to build a solar oven you can get some great ideas and free plans at: Solar Cookers International: http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Solar_cooker_designs

And like the other have said Build it Solar has lots of great solar energy projects: http://www.builditsolar.com/

If you are trying to build your own solar panels that is a little more involved and you will need supplies that are not in your home but this can still be done as a do-it-yourself project: http://www.applied-solar.info/earth4energy-homemade-power/

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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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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 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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Your Questions About Solar Energy Calculator

Lizzie asks…

Is it possible to use solar panels from calculators and make a super solar panel?

I was doing a project how I want to change my school. I came with an idea to use solar energy, but solar panels are expensive. That got me to another idea. Is it possible to take those tiny solar panels from old calculators schools don’t use anymore, and connect that with lets say a million more calc panels. That way, you can create one big panel. Could this be possible? Why or why not?

admin answers:

That might be more expensive than a big solar panel. Unless all these calculators are already there and being thrown out.

In theory, you should be able to do it. But you’d need a LOT of those little guys. More than you think. Say you want a 1 by 1 meter solar panel. Each little solar panel is like 3 cm by 2/3 cm. That means that you’d need about 5000 calculators to do it.
Also, you’d lose some efficiency with all the cables, as that is a lot of cable to go through before reaching the end of the circuit.

You should be able to get about 1 kW per day out of that if you live in a somewhat sunny area, and the solar panels you use aren’t too old.

That’s all very rough math using off the top of my head numbers, so I could be off by an order of magnitude XD

If you have the calculators, then it should be a pretty neat school project though.

Helen asks…

How solar energy in converted into electricity and stored? what is that electrons or chips and batteries?

The so-called panels consist of some chips?what are those chips?Solar power stored in some Batteries.What are those batteries? Whether these panels can be manufactured in a small set up like any other Village Industries.OR How the heat generated by the solar energy can be transmitted to a copper coil and generate heat in it?

admin answers:

Solar or light can be converted into current and batteries can be made at a smaller scale. Example is, small calculators are powered by solar cells.

As for as construction of those batteries they are made of smaller cells and then smaller cells are joint with other smaller cells to make little large cells. Its very expensive to make them on commercial level thats why we are addicted to oil.

Cheap things sometimes don’t come cheap.

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Your Questions About Solar Energy Generators For Sale

Sandra asks…

What home energy saving scams have you found?

open4energy has published a list of home energy scams to help energy conscientious home owners avoid being taken advantage of. They range from down loadable plans to build a magnetic generator, a solar panel or a windmill, to energy saving plug in gadgets, to full blown sales promotions for kvar power factor correction units which have negligible savings capabilities for even the biggest homes.

Each one we find is another community we can protect!

admin answers:

The most common website I encounter is DIY solar panels. The claim is that “for under 200 dollars you too can build your own solar panel and save thousands” I do not dispute the validity of that claim. I do take issue with what they don’t say. There are some building code violations to say the least. I have posted a blog on this very issue, and will continue to do so on a weekly basis. It is my goal to bring clarity to the cyber solar world. Check out my post “To build or not to build that is the question” at http://www.solarmandan.com.

P.S. Maybe we could post links to each other”s sites.

Ruth asks…

How much does it cost to put solar panels on a house? ?

I want to be more green and if I get the panels will I still have a regular electric bill?

admin answers:

Yes, and no.

My cottage is primarily solar powered. However, we’re only there on weekends, and we’re only powering a small fridge (the biggest power draw, by far), televisions, stereos, lights, a water pump, and that kind of thing. For the more powerful items (vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, power tools, washer and dryer) we use a gasoline generator. Our water heater and stove are propane.

We have an array of seven solar panels, and two battery banks.

Obviously, we don’t have utility bills for our cottage.

We will soon replace the solar panels with more efficient ones. Currently, there are 85W panels on sale for $500 CAD. We will buy as many of those as we can afford. We recently had to replace one battery bank.

At home, we currently have a geothermal heating/cooling system. That cuts our energy use for heating and cooling quite a bit. That’s reflected on our utility bill. (Because we’re not in the city, we have our own well, plus a septic tank. So, our only utility bill is for electric.)

My husband and I have discussed it many times and, based on our experience with our cottage, we don’t think we’ll try to do a “whole home” solar system.

Typical estimates for panels, batteries, inverters, etc., to run a typical city home are in the $17,000 range. But with our cottage experience, we know that the real monkey wrench with solar power is STORING that power. And we’ve had more battery problems than we anticipated. Once the batteries are no longer holding charge well, they have to be replaced…and they’re expensive….and heavy…and have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Our cheapest batteries are probably $200 each. We also use more expensive / bigger 6V batteries. We may even, one day, switch to the huge, very expensive 2Vs.

In any event, I find that the best way (for us) to incorporate solar power into our urban home will likely be panels which will provide power when the sun is shining, but still be on the grid for night time, bad weather, and times of excess power use. That will eliminate the expense and problems of batteries and power storage (and limiting power use, so as not to run down the batteries).

In some places, the excess power you create with solar panels can be put back into the grid, and the local power utility company will pay you for it.

So, for me, based on my experience, that’s what I think I’d do, when it comes time to outfit our home with solar panels. Using only solar power for the bulk of our living at the cottage is great, but we do have to be mindful of how much we’re using. Once the stored power drops below a certain point, the inverters won’t work, and you have to either go without power, or turn on the gas generator. I wouldn’t want that hassle at home.

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