Solar Power On The Go
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
In the early days of solar power there were huge installations necessary to make use of this energy source. The solar panels that were needed were larger than the average full grown man. This made the collection of solar power a bit of a challenge. Therefore making use of solar power was not suitable of everyone. It was expensive and a bit of a chore as well.
These huge solar panels still exist in solar power plants, which produce energy for certain parts of the world. But over the years technological advancements have made solar power affordable and portable enough so common people can use it for their everyday lives. Nowadays solar panels have become so small that pocket calculators use these as an alternative power source to the usual single cell batteries.
But the use of portable solar power did not stop with the use of pocket calculators. Numerous inventions have made use of portable solar power and some of these are available all over the world. Let’s take of look at 5 affordable uses of portable solar power.
1) BRUNTON BATTJACK Batteries and Chargers
The charger comes with the SolarPort 4.4, wall transformer and 12V car cord to charge batteries from AC or in a vehicle. The charger can hold 4 AA or AAA rechargeable batteries. The kit has 4 1500 mAh NiMH AA battery cells. The charger will switch to trickle charge when the batteries are fully charged. It also has a discharge option for maintaining NiCad batteries. This will cost $30.
Batteries are NiMH AA dry cells, have a 1500 mAh capacity, can recharge for hundreds of times, and come in a package of 4 AA batteries. These cost $14.
2) SS-PVSMALL Power System
This portable solar power system from Silicon Solar Inc is easy to use and needs no assembly. Included in each system is an inverter/battery carrying case and 8.5 or 17-watt solar panel/charge.
This system can power a laptop computer, portable audio devices, small coloured TV, and most devices that need less than 140 watts AC 110-120v, and 60Hz input. Power time can range from 30 minutes to 56 hours, depending on the equipment being powered up.
The system is also used for indoor/outdoor lighting, and is lightweight. The system also includes inverters, cables, battery box, and sealed gel cell battery. The system comes with a 1-year warranty. The system costs $149.95.
3) UNI-KIT
The Uni-Kit system is a portable, durable, solar powered lighting system that can provide extended lighting hours to its users. This is powerful enough to let even a 12-volt radio or TV operate, and easy to install. The Uni-Kit system also comes with a basic power controller that maximizes battery life of its 12-Volt Deep Cycle SLA Battery by controlling its charging and load use, and protects the system from overcharging and excessive discharging.
Uni-Kit can be used in the garage, tool sheds, remote homes, isolated buildings, surveying sites, construction sites, camp sites, and even during water pumping operations.
Uni-Kit comes with an 11-watt fluorescent lamp that has a 1-year warranty. The 15-watt solar panel has a 20 year warranty. You can add up to 4 lamps to increase the system’s illumination capacity. The default kit weighs 10 pounds and can be purchased for $249.95 from Silicon Solar Inc. If you have additional 4 lamps, all 4 will cost an extra $235.
4) BRUNTON Portable Solar Panels
Brunton has portable CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) solar array panels that are thin and lightweight to save weight for backpackers. These panels produce standard 12volts outputs, and come with basic 12V vehicle socket, 4 different jack plugs, and battery clips. Solar array panels come in a 6 and 12 foldable, and 14 roll able series. Prices of these panels range from $129 to $399.
5) EN-R-PAK AC/DC Backup Power Supply
The EN-R-PAK backup power supply 200 series are compact solar power backup supplies that have built-in electronics that store, control, and produce energy from the sun, wind, or flowing water. The system can accept additional solar panels, wind turbines, or water turbines. These power supply systems use renewable stored energy to produce 115 volts and 12 volts DC. A 230-volt unit is also available for international use.
The EN-R-PAK can provide emergency power for a home or office, remote areas, a cabin or cottage, for communications, wherever and whenever you need power! This system has no parts that wear out, is environment friendly, quiet, does not emit harmful fumes, easy to operate, requires no assembly, needs almost no maintenance, and is designed to survive rugged weather conditions. These can also power energy efficient lights, a laptop computer, a small TV, rechargeable power tools, and other electrical equipment.
The EN-R-PAK has a 1-year system warranty, 20-year solar panel warranty, 2-year battery warranty, and is built to conform to UL, NEC, and CSA electrical standards.
EN-R-PAK 50-watt solar panels are liquid-proof and shatter proof. These also come with a blocking diode, 30 feet of cable with a connection plug. Wind turbines are also configured to the EN-R-PAK so changes to the power centre are not needed.
The basic system will cost $1500. Additions to the system will make the cost reach a maximum of $2950.
This sums up the possibilities for portable solar power. As time and knowledge progress other devices and possibilities will be available on the market. The prices mentioned here can give you an idea, but are by no means accurate.
Residential Solar Panels Kit © – Cut Your Expenses Now!
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Already spending hundreds month-by-month on these rising electricity-bills? It seems like a simple Residential Solar Panels Kit can easily save you all that trouble. Amazingly or not, this technique can be implemented quite easily by any novice user. If you read this article you’ll be able to learn more why any of us should use it a.s.a.p.
Quick overview
Thinking that making such Residential Solar Panels Kit is complicated? You should definitely check one of these popular guides that teach how to assemble Solar-Panels in just one weekend. It may sound obvious, but be sure to choose the right guide; make sure it uses simple english without being too much ‘techi’, also, does it offer video tutorials, illustrations, and tech support? Anyway, here are few key-benefits and & quick advices to help you better understand this topic.
Quick advantages
Implementing this exciting solution definitely provides many benefits:
* Knowing that we are doing our part to conserve the planet.
* Rely only on your own energy-resources and not the ones supplied by governments or corporations.
* It is already proven to work for thousands of people.
* One-time investment that lasts for life.
* Very quick return on investment (ROI).
Tip
Using a printed guidebook isn’t recommended – technology keeps changing and online guides usually get auto-updated with the latest information.
Article summary
Residential Solar Panels Kit truly brings outstanding results with a minimal investment on both time and cost. There are probably many other advantages provided by this exceptional ‘machine’, simply because it is highly-effective. It is advised to watch it in action so you could truly see how it can save your monthly budget.
What You Need to Know Before Installing Solar Panels
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
You’ve already heard that we may run out of fossil fuels in the next thirty years. That’s if the most rapidly growing nations in the world slow their ever-increasing use of our global resources at faster and faster rates. Alternative solar energy could be the answer to our energy problems. It’s free and it’s everywhere.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
While alternative solar energy could be the answer to the world’s energy crisis, can you use solar solutions at home? Yes, you can. Maybe you have imagined solar power to be expensive and difficult to work with. It may shock you how little work it takes to put in and maintain a solar energy system. You’ll love to see how your power bill shrinks, but best of all, you’ll be making a difference for the future.
Here’s how you can use alternative solar energy solutions at home.
Solar water heaters came into popularity in Israel in the 1960’s. The Israeli government now mandates that all new homes be built with solar water heaters, making Israel the global leader in the use of solar water heaters. This saves Israel 2 million barrels of oil each year.
At its most basic, the solar water heater consists of a collector and tank. The collector absorbs the rays of the sun. Most take the heat of the sun and transfer it to the water. Some collectors work to convert the light of the sun to heat, providing hot water in freezing temperatures.
The heated water transfers to the tank, where it is stored hot until it is used. Some systems require a pumping mechanism to transfer the water to the household, while others just use gravity.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
While solar water heater can sometimes provide electricity, providing electricity is not the purpose of a solar water heater. To harness the rays of the sun and turn them into electricity, you need a different solar energy system. Photovoltaic panels, often seen mounted on the roof of a building, take the light of the sun and turn it into direct current. The system then inverts the direct current to make it alternating current, which the appliances in your household can then use.
What happens on cloudy days? Many systems do more than just capture and convert the energy; they store it too. Solar electricity systems frequently include batteries, which store the energy caught by the system but not immediately used.
The future of photovoltaic products is looking good. Low profile, smart looking panels are coming onto the market. Soon we will even see photovoltaic materials incorporated into house paint, windows and, already on the market, roof tiles.
Many people find the initial investment in solar energy products to be prohibitive. As technology continues to improve, the cost of purchasing and installing solar energy systems continues to decline. Is it possible that you could kiss your electric bill goodbye?
It only takes three to four years to see a return on your investment in many alternative solar energy systems. After the payback period, you no longer have an electric bill, your system works at no cost to you. In addition, you know you are doing your part to salvage global resources.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
Build Your Own Electric Solar Panel For A Better World
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
The sun produces enough energy in one hour to meet the electrical needs of the entire population on earth. Yet we only use a very small percentage of its power potential.
Home Solar Panel Kits
Solar panels and solar power are derived from sun light and are what we now refer to as green technology. In the past, solar power has been very expensive to produce and information on DIY solar power kits was virtually non existent.
Previously, solar panel kits could reach prices as high as $2500 to $5000, but they are now available for about $250 to $300. One of the main reasons for the high prices in the past was the general lack of information available to the public. With the advent of the Internet, people can now purchase informative booklets on solar energy, solar power and solar panels. People can now see online what a solar panel looks like right on their own computer. All of the information that you would ever need about solar panels is available on the Internet for purchase.
Materials To Build A Solar Panel
A purchased solar panel DIY installation kit will generally come with the solar panel installation manual, as well as all of the wiring needed for electrical connections. Solder and solder gun, all poles needed for many locational assemblies, all brackets, screws and bolts needed for your project will usually be provided. The manuals for solar panel building and installation are written in easy-to-use language in order to be as user friendly as possible.
Do Homemade Solar Panels Work?
Converting solar power to electric energy can be done through the use of solar panels and a solar converter that will convert direct current into alternating current, making it usable in your home. You could conceivably go completely off of the power grid or remain on the grid and get paid by your local power provider for any extra power that you create by using your solar panels, selling the extra power to the electric company.
Small solar panels are very portable and can be used anywhere in the world. With a small solar panel you can power up your lap top computer, a hair dryer or even a small refrigerator. DIY kits for small solar panels are available online as well as at some of the bigger hardware stores. The manuals for DIY small solar panels are also available online.
Save Money By With Solar Panels
The average cost of a DIY solar panel kit is around $100. And if you need a professional installer, this should cost you about $300. Additionally, you can reduce your electric bill by 80% percent to 90 percent in as little as two weeks, and you can make a huge impact on the environment. The value of your house will increase by thousands of dollars, as green technology will be the way of the very near future.
<b>Do you want to learn how to build solar panels and cut your energy bill by 80 percent or more?</b>
To discover how to build your own solar panels in less than a day and start saving money on electricity, click here to visit the site now: <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.SolarPanelForHome.org/homesolarpower.html“>http://www.solarpanelforhome.org/homesolarpower.html”>http://www.SolarPanelForHome.org/homesolarpower.html</a>
How To Build Solar Panel: Steps 1-5
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Once you have your equipment to build your solar panel, you are almost ready to get started. Building a solar panel can be a great way to get the whole family involved, and it can be more than a one man job, so before you begin to build a solar panel, why not ask the kids to help get the whole family involved in helping to save the environment and cut down on utility bills.
Now, before you begin building your solar panel, you need to determine what your solar panel is going to be used for. For instance, if you want to provide power for an electric fence then you might only need to build a 100 watt solar panel which will mean that you will pay out less, but if you are aiming to power your entire house with solar panels then you will need quite a bit more than 100 watts so first, decide what your solar panel is going to support and then it is time to build.
There are approximately 20 steps to building your first solar panel, and whether you are planning on making just one or many to power you whole house or more, then once you have built your first solar panel, you will have the guidelines to be able to created as many solar panels as you need.
Step #1: to begin, you will need a Multimeter which is able to measure DC fractions of voltage and your collection of solar cells, once you have this, position a light source near your solar cells as this will allow you to get a consistent measurement of voltage output of each of the solar cells.
Step #2: set your Multimeter to measure DC voltage and place the negative test lead on the side of the solar cell which shows negative voltage. Then place the positive test lead on the side f the solar cell which shows a positive voltage. Check to see what the maximum voltage output is and don’t move the solar cell around to try and get a higher reading. Next you need to separate your solar cells into groupings of .05 volt increments and this will allow you to take maximum advantage of solar cell output.
Step #3: the next step is to connect the solar cells with tinned interconnection wire and in order to achieve this you will need to take the spool of interconnection wire and cut it into 10.5 inch lengths.
Step #4: next every piece of the tinned interconnection wire should have solder put on it and you can do this by adding solder to 5.25 inches of the wire beginning at one end, then flip the wire over and add solder to the remainder of the wire beginning at the opposite end.
Step #5: now you must solder a length of the interconnection wire to each connection strip which is located on the front of each of the solar cells.
How to Build a Solar Panel – Build Your Own Homemade Solar Panels and Save Some Serious Cash!
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Are the high costs of electricity getting on your nerves? Do you want to help save the environment? If a resounding yes! is your answer to both of these questions then you should take a serious look into constructing your own homemade solar panel.
Building your own solar panel may sound difficult but with the help of a DIY guide on how to build a solar panel, it can be a lot easier than you think. There are already a number of easy to follow DIY solar panel kit guides currently available on the market, in particular on the internet. You just have to make certain you choose the best available DIY guide which will show you step by step how to build a solar panel.
A homemade solar panel has a lot of benefits to offer not only on your part, in terms of money saved by slashing your power bill, but on the environment as well. Solar energy is a renewable energy source and also does not give off the harmful by-products that traditional energy production does.
Getting a good DIY guide that illustrates clearly how to build a solar panel is crucial. There are now quite a few of these guides, the better ones include very easy to follow blueprints and instructions as well as follow along video examples. Like most things though, there are some you should avoid.
Following a good how to build a solar panel guide is almost child’s play, in fact it is a great project to get your whole family in on, which as a side effect has the added bonus of raising awareness about climate change and energy consumption in your family.
Once you get a guide and begin assembling your solar panels, you will quickly come to realize you don’t need to be an expert to get the job done. You simply follow the instructions laid out in your how to build a solar panel guide.
Once you have you homemade solar panels in place, you can be certain that you will see the cost of your monthly energy bill fall, thereby saving a huge amount of money as well as helping to save the environment.
Why This Is The Perfect Time To Install Solar Panels for Homes On Your House
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Solar panels for homes have gone through many important changes over the years, which have helped to make them more efficient and more durable. Most modern solar panels can produce several times more power than panels sold even a few years ago and are also able to produce this solar power for homes for more of the day. Because most solar panels for homes are now a fairly standard size, their mounting is simpler and you can even mix different brands of panels into the same system to help lower your cost. All of these changes have helped to make these homes solar power systems a great alternative energy solution for almost any need.
Converting Light Into Electricity
Modern solar panels are able to produce a considerable amount of power from simple sunlight. They do this through the use of photovoltaic solar cells that are mounted to the solar panel frame and are able to convert direct sunlight into an electrical current. A standard solar panel contains a collection of these solar cells that are connected together to provide a large amount of power. Even though individually these solar cells can only produce a small amount of current, when they are joined together with other cells their output can be quite substantial. All of these solar cells are housed inside the solar module, which provides a strong and stable platform for mounting the fragile cells and helps to protect them from the elements.
Voltages Vary
Most modern solar panels come in a variety of voltages that then can produce. Typically the higher the voltage, the more efficient the overall system will be. The reason for this is that there is always a percentage of losses inherent in any solar power system and the higher the voltage you generate, the less of an impact these losses will have on your overall output. The higher voltage generating solar panels are more expensive, but are still a better purchase than some of the others that generate a smaller overall output. The key thing to remember is that all of the panels used in you system have to be matched to each other as well as the inverter for a specific voltage.
Newer Is Better
Because of the improved solar panel design used in these modern solar panels for homes, they are all able to produce a greater amount of power than older panels for the same amount sunlight. This is a big advantage for homeowners since it allows you to install less of these newer panels to generate all the power they need. One other advantage that these newer panels provide is their ability to generate a good bit of power from less than perfect sunlight. Older panels had a hard time generating power from the dimmer sunlight found at sunrise, sunset and on cloudy days. Also, if older solar panels were not perfectly aligned with the travel of the sun, their output would suffer as well. This means that your panels would be inactive for most of a typical day when the sun was not at its brightest. Also, if your home did not have the required roof space with the proper orientation, you could not have taken advantage of these older panels.
Angle of Incidence Doesn’t Matter As Much Anymore
The newer solar panels for homes have solved these issues and can take advantage of the weaker sunlight and still produce a large portion of their overall expected power from this dimmer light. They are also more forgiving with sunlight that hits them at a more severe angle. This allows many homes that do not have the perfect solar alignment to take advantage of these newer solar panels and generate all the power their home requires.
Cost of a Residential Solar Panel
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
If you are thinking about installing residential solar panels in your home the cost should be a factor. Many things about the cost you should consider are government rebates, getting the best rate, and more.
You can find cheap solar panels. The price usually depends on many different factors. These factors include many different things like the durability, size, brand, warranty period, and even certifications that might be offered on the solar panels. When choosing a residential solar panel you will want to consider these factors like the size and more.
Homemade solar panels are an excellent alternative to electricity in your home. When you make a decision on which residential solar panel you should choose you want to be sure you don’t look for the cheapest. This is an important decision you are making. You are going to save a lot of money in the long run so you don’t want to shop according to price. You want to be sure the panels will be able to provide sufficient energy to your home. Shopping for the cheapest panels could be a big mistake for your solution.
Many people who are considering the solar panel kits they don’t think about the government rebates they can qualify for. Before you purchase the residential solar panels be sure you look into any rebates to help you cover the costs. One thing to consider about cheap solar panels is that they might not qualify for these rebates also.
When you are choosing solar panels and concerned about the cost you also should consider the money you will save in the long run. Even in areas that don’t get a lot of sun, you can use solar panels. Obviously they will produce more electricity in climates that are bathed in sunlight. You can install the panels on your home or on the outside of your home on the ground. You should choose the best option for you and for your electrical needs. This will allow you to choose residential solar panels that are the best solution for your home that will last the longest and need the least amount of service.
Small solar cells can be used to generate power for individual items such as tools or radios. They can also be used to charge batteries, laptops and cell phones. There are solar shingles which look similar to standard asphalt shingles but are actually solar cells. Even broken and damaged solar cells can be reconditioned and repaired for use in homemade residential solar panels. Learning to repair these cells can be a valuable skill for those looking at the possibility of off-grid living.
Cost isn’t everything when it comes to installing residential solar panels on or around your home. You should never shop for the cheapest solution because you will get your money back after you several months of no electrical bills. The considerations you can have when it comes to cost you need to think about the size of the panels, the wattage, and even governmental rebates that might be available to you.
My TOP 6 TIPS – Cheap Solar Panels
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Solar power is clean, efficient and free. That’s the good news. The problem is that most consumers can’t afford to have it installed in their homes. Today however, we can reduce the cost greatly by learning to build our own solar energy systems.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
Most people don’t know it, but 50% of the cost associated with professional solar installation is in the panels. One of the best ways to reduce the expense is by using reliable cheap solar panels purchased from alternate sources. Sometimes you can even find them free if you know where to look. Just make sure the bargain you think you are getting is really a bargain. The following tips should help.
1) Local Sources – Believe it or not, the highway departments or local contractors are a great place to start. They often have small panels that they want to get rid of. Sometimes these need to be disassembled and used for their cells to construct a new, larger panel but usually you can’t beat the price. There are a number of other local sources as well.
2) Online Sources – eBay and other online auctions sites are also a good source. Just make sure you check out the seller’s feedback and reputation as you would with any other online purchase. Also, follow the other tips below to help evaluate what you’ll be getting.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
3) Evaluate Condition– While used panels are much cheaper than new, it is important to make sure that what you get will work with your project. Panels have to be properly sealed and structurally sound to prevent moisture infiltration. Your panel’s ability to perform at full capacity will be diminished if it collects moisture. Find out about the age and usage history as well. Panels that have been in service for years won’t perform to their full rated capacity. They loose their effectiveness over time in service. On the other hand, old panels that have never been used should perform like new. So age must always be considered in combination with use history.
4) Testing – Use a volt meter to make sure that it functions properly. If the panel is not performing up to its rated capacity, check the individual cell rows to see if it is worth repairing. If the panel is priced right, it might make sense to replace or re-wire around a damaged cell.
5) When shopping for used panels, keep your eyes open for individual cells too. Don’t overlook the possibility of building some of your own solar panels in addition to buying them. It isn’t all that complicated if you know what you are doing. Once again, if the price is right this may be a really good opportunity to reduce costs even more.
6) As always, get a good instructional guide that includes detailed directions for locating panels from alternate sources. A good guide will teach you how to build or buy cheap solar panels and is something you will refer back to over and over again throughout the process of growing your system. You can’t beat the education you get at such a low price because you’ll learn how to shop for cheap solar panels without wasting money on material you can’t use.
Making your own solar and wind power for less than $200
Build Your Own Solar Panel â What You Need to Build Your Solar Panel at Home
September 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under General, Solar Panels
Build Your Own Solar Panel â What You Need to Build Your Solar Panel at Home
Itâs easy to save money by building your own solar panel. Because solar power is one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy, solar panels can be a cost effective way to take advantage of the sunâs energy. DIY solar kits to build your own solar panel are available online and in many electric stores and are ideal for residential solar panels.
How to Build Your Own Solar Panel
Solar energy panels are easy to build: first you need to locate where you want your solar panels to be installed. Most people choose the roof, but the backyard or garden can work as well. Basically, wherever gets the most amount of sunlight is the best place. The solar panels then take the energy from the sun and convert it from solar energy to electrical energy.
A 100-watt solar panel costs approximately $200 and will provide enough energy to run a small appliance. It takes about 1-2 days to put together a 100-watt solar panel. After the first solar panel is finished, the others come together much easier and will take less than a day to build.
Supplies for your Solar Panel
To start building your own solar energy panels, the first step is to do a bit of research and get a good set of detailed, easy to follow instructions. You can build your own solar panel in less time if you are able to find videos.
Building supplies are available at any hardware store and include plywood, sheets of glass, a roll of copper wire and solar panel cells. Solar panel cells â also known as photovoltaic cells â can be found online or at many retailers.
If you build your own solar panels at home, you will have a reliable source of renewable energy, help the environment and, most importantly, you will save money every month on your electric bill.

