Basic Photovoltaic Panel Parts

June 14, 2010 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Living

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to make a home made solar panel, solar hot water heater, and solar energy facts.

One of the reasons that constructing your own pv (photovoltaic panels has become so popular is that there are really very few components involved. A regular solar panel consists of just a few basic parts, namely an enclosure, solar cells, a substrate and wiring. Here?s an overview of what?s involved.

Solar panel container or enclosure
This is what most people see when they think of a solar panel. It?s the clear glass top, the frame and the backing that the photovoltaic cells are mounted on. The case can be large enough to need a custom built metal rack for mounting on a rooftop, or small enough to be a plastic box that can be placed almost invisibly near an outdoor floodlight. It needs to be resistant to ultra violet (UV) rays so that it does not deteriorate with continuous exposure to sunlight. And the glass (usually Plexiglas) needs to be durable enough to withstand harsh weather, including hail and wind storms that could crash tree branches and other debris into it.

Substrate
This is the piece of lumber, peg board or other material that the solar cells are mounted on inside of the enclosure. It too needs to be UV-resistant to survive prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Photovoltaic cells
The photovoltaic cells are comparable to the silicon chips that power most computers. They combine the silicon, metals and other materials in a way that captures direct sunlight and converts it into electricity. The electricity can either be instantly used by direct current devices (DC) like LED lights, or stored in DC batteries and converted into alternating current (AC) to power conventional appliances like refrigerators, TVs and other electrical equipment in homes and businesses.

Tabbed and untabbed solar cells
When constructing your own solar panels, you can save money by purchasing untabbed solar cells and soldering the tabs onto the cells yourself. This can be a good option if you have more time than money, but it?s a tedious job. You can save time by buying tabbed solar cells which will cut your soldering time by one-half to two-thirds.

Photovoltaic cell wiring
Once the solar cells are mounted on the substrate, they are wired to each other in a series so that they can produce electricity. Copper wire is added to connect the solar cells to storage batteries for using the electricity later, or to connect directly to the device that the photovoltaic panel is powering like an attic fan or a solar powered toy.

Blocking diode

The blocking diode is a little component that prevents electricity that is stored in a battery from draining backward into the pv (photovoltaic) panel. Bigger photovoltaic systems use a charge controller for the same effect.

Should You Build Your Own Solar Swimming Pool Heater?

June 10, 2010 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Living

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to make a home made solar panel, solar panel, and solar installation.

Building your own solar swimming pool heater is a great do-it-yourself project if you want to add solar to your home.

Solar PV - Create Your Own Private Power For The Life Of The World

June 7, 2010 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Tips

Solar PV are a combination of cells which have within just them materials that can convert solar radiation into direct current electricity. Additional specifically it is that technologies that can transform sun rays directly into power. The sun’s rays provide up to one thousand volts of electrical power in every square meter from the earth’s work surface over a sunny day. If most of that power could be harnesses we would be able to power our property totally free.

The use of solar power is vast. You can use it to create electrical energy in your home, to power the electric automobiles, and also streets lighting for you to name just a few. Photovoltaic have been utilised dating back 1958, however; its practical application appeared to be typically within space. They are most widely used presently in solar energy hand calculators and this require simply daylight to work.

PV cells include materials known as semiconductors which are silicon and are commonly utilised. As soon as daylight strikes the cell part with which will daylight is engrossed within the semiconductor material. Electricity in that light is actually utilized in the particular semiconductor which will loosens electrons which then amount freely within the particular path. This particular flow involving electrons is a current that can be used as electrical power when metal contacts are usually positioned at the very top along with bottom of the Photovoltaic cell. The particular current and the cell?s current show the amount of power level this solar cell could produce.

Using solar energy isn’t yet common adequate to locate everyone using it but there are some people who feel they could support environmental surroundings with the use of solar Photo voltaic. Together with the price of electrical power on the rise along with the economy spiraling downward, people are curious about saving on their utility bills or totally getting rid of them while using solar power. Photovoltaic is an alternative electrical power generating resource that may save money as well as do its part in preserving earth. There is certainly much talk about global warming and the greenhouse effect as well as using solar PV, alternatively electric power source, could make us feel good about ourselves once we do our part.

Now we’ve observed in the very last years things such as costs of the petrol crud oil barrel that have been getting to new highs, the catastrophic effects of climatic change because of the emission associated with carbon dioxide causing severe heat and cold waves as well as some other unbelievable catastrophes, and more recently the dreadful leak from the Mexico bay doing damage to the life involving countless families and also hurting all of the faun in the region, it’s about time for taking action and cease depending on fossil fuel. Taking a look at different directions is often a chance. As an example if perhaps something like 20 percent on the Sahara desert was coated with solar PV then it may possibly give 100% of the world electric consumption. Solar energy is really a source that will not stop anytime soon, everlasting along with 100 % free to utilize by any individual. Right now there is actually a interest to make a worldwide transition of mentality and have conscious that it may preserve our own children’s planet.

DIY Solar!

November 24, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Tips

Do it yourself solar! An alternative to the high costs of specialized solar contractors.

By using the free power that our sun is providing, we can considerably decrease our power bill and lessen the pollution of our earth. But a specialized solar contractor could simply charge you more than $25.000 for the system. DIY solar is an great alternative to the high quotes of solar panels made by a specialized solar contractor. There are Homemade Solar guides in the market that explain to you in excellent detail how to make these panels. And a great advantage of a DIY solar panel is its Small Price.

Due to the high requirement from the market for expertly build solar panels for uptown homes, a specialized solar contractor can ask a healthy margin. Although you are able to present an claim for refunds, the builders costs by the company and the costs (though decreasing) for the solar installations from well-known manufactures like Sharp of Sanyo itself, are really pricey.

In the situation of a suburban solar system, the average house need a 3kW installation, which is 3000W

Pre-build Hot Solar Water Kits

November 24, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Living

Hot solar water kits for gratis warm water: an lucrative option to expensive specialized suppliers

Making your own Homemade hot solar water panels is a great project. But you almost certainly won

Can A DIY Solar Panel Really Lessen My Energy Bill?

November 24, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Living

Definitley!!! A DIY Solar Panel is able to Lower Electric Bill!!

I started building my first Home Made Solar Panel to decrease my electricity bill when I saw that my energy expenses where souring. In 2005 I used $2,100 a year on my electric bill (somewhat over the $1,900 that the average family spends a year on their electric bill). In 2007 this grew to $2700. Sounds familiar? This was going out of hand. So I asked myself how I could Reduce Energy Costs? I requested a solar installation corporation to give me an offer for expertly installed solar panels.I was surprised when they gave me a quote of larger than $26,000 for a basic solar system on my house. Where solar panels only for those that already possess the funds, I asked myself? .

I didn

Discover The Great Benefits Of Solar Hot Water Systems

November 23, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Tips

Warm water. We all need it and love it. Nothing is better than getting yourself a hot bath of shower. But it comes at a price. Warming water for washing, bathing and running our washing machine and dishwasher accounts for nearly 15-30% of your energy expense, depending on the place you live.

Warming up your water with the use of the sun

Know How Solar Works

November 23, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Living

I

Be Green With A Solar Hot Water Heater - The Best And Most Cost Effective Sustainable Living Option For Your Home Or Business

October 18, 2009 by ftsword37  
Filed under Green Tips

If you are looking to Go Green, Get Greener, or simply looking to learn more about Solar options for your home or business then you will want to read further. The most cost effective option to incorporate solar into your home or office is to add a Solar Hot Water Heater System. Many people in the U.S. can produce more than half their domestic hot water needs with a Solar Hot Water Heater. In Arizona and other southern regions of the US this can be more than 80% savings.

Solar Hot Water Heater systems can be either active or passive. Most Solar Hot Water Heater systems use a pump to move fluid through one or two collectors. Thermosiphon systems, suitable for simple domestic hot water systems in frost-free climates, rely on natural convection to move water. Panels or collectors are mounted on the roof which are heated by the sun and then heat the fluid which then heats the water in your storage tank. This takes the load off of the water tanks electric or gas heating element because the water is already hot enough which saves you money every month.

A Solar Hot Water system is cheaper than a solar space heating system but still costs more than a than conventional water heater, typically between $7,000 and $8,000. However, after rebates and tax incentives the cost to the client is typically around $2,000 AND includes a new conventional water heater. The major difference between the two being that the solar hot water heater is paying for itself while you will always to continue to pay for the conventional water heater. Solar hot water heaters typically pay for themselves with the savings generated in a few years and then continue to make you money. Homeowners may want to budget for routine maintenance with some solar hot water systems to include periodic checks on the pH of some system’s glycol solution.

A gas water heater should never be used as the only tank in a solar hot water heater system. Electric water heaters do not require an additional tank but you may want to add one for additional hot water storage. In a solar storage tank, water stratifies by temperature; cool water from the bottom of the tank is pulled up to the collectors to be heated and is returned to the top of the tank. The colder the incoming water, the higher the solar collector’s efficiency. In a single tank system, the electric element or gas flame keeps the stored water hot, leaving no cold water available to send to the solar collectors.

In most cases, credits or rebates can defray some of the cost of installing a solar water heater and are available from local utilities or state and federal governments. Solar systems offer stability and predictability when it comes to energy costs and supply. That’s not something that any system running on fossil fuels can match.

Please join us in the movement to Go Green and decrease our carbon footprint on our planet. We are here to educate the public and offer sustainable living solutions to assist you on your journey.

Please contact us for additional information and a free estimate on Solar Hot Water Heaters and Solar Electric.

Jim Holt is a Builder, Solar Contractor and Construction Consultant by trade. To find additional information on Jim and his company’s, please view his blog http://jimiholt.com/blog and the company website http://erusbuilders.com We are here to offer free assistance with building and construction related issues. Our background covers all aspects of commercial and residential construction to include: home improvement, new custom homes, commercial building, land development, remodels, additions, updating, tenant improvement, building maintenance, condo, apartment, hospitality, medical, industrial, site work and utilities, and more. You can find additional free information and videos from Jim by searching for him on the web.

Gain useful advice in the sphere of Christian jewelry - please study this publication. The time has come when concise information is truly at your fingertips, use this possibility.