by admin on April 12, 2010
The solar cells that you see on calculators, rooftops, satellites, and elsewhere are also called PV (photovoltaic) cells, where photo “light” and voltaic “electricity” means that these solar PV cells take sunlight and convert it into electricity.
So how do these PV solar cells make electricity out of sunlight? First of all, the cells are usually made from silicon, the same thing computer chips are made of. This is because silicon is a semiconductor, it conducts some electricity but not as well as a true conductor such as copper. When sunlight strikes the solar cell some of the suns energy called photons are absorbed by the semiconducting material. The photons knock electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely. These free flowing electrons form a current of electricity which we can then draw off for use in our homes or wherever.
We can then combine many of these solar PV cells together as part of a series. They’re stored in a weatherproof module and become a solar panel which is what you see on roofs and in yards across the country. These panels can be used to provide pollution free clean energy to our homes, and businesses.
So why don’t you see solar PV panels on every home and business in the country? Well, historically cost has been the reason. That is changing, improvements in production methods, and government clean energy credits which refund the homeowner up to 35% of the cost of a solar system are making solar power affordable to more people.
Another way to save even more money, and one that can be really fun too, is building your own solar panels. Read more about it in the solar panel plans section.
by admin on April 8, 2010
Building solar panels can be a really fun Do It Yourself project. You might think that a solar panel is too complicated, or too delicate, or something along those lines, for you to build. Well they aren’t!
This DIY project often appeals to people who may need to provide electricity to a remote area. Campers, astronomers, people working off the grid, or maybe doing missionary work in third world countries all can benefit from knowing how to build solar panels.
Nowadays, with rising home electricity costs and a desire to protect the environment more and more people are turning to inexpensive DIY solar panels to power their homes.
It doesn’t take much to get started, and you can start small and add more panels as time and money allow, another advantage of doing it yourself.
Materials You Will Need For Your Solar Panel Plans:
- Solar Cells
- Plexiglass
- Lumber
- Jones Plug
- Wire
- Diode
- Paint
- Screws
- Silicone Caulk
- Other Hardware
You will want to get your solar panels as cheap as possible. There are a couple ways to do this. Look around eBay or other sites for slightly used but unbroken solar panels. You may want to start small at first but you can find them online in any amount you can imagine. Be sure to buy a few more than you plan on using because you may break a couple during the learning process.
Another way to get used solar panels is call around to local solar installation companies. When they replace panels for clients they will sometimes let you help them ‘dispose’ of the old panels. Wherever you find your cells try not to get cells that are cracked or chipped, and remember handle with care because they are glasslike and very brittle.
Now to make the panels you will basically have to wire together a bunch of the individual cells in series, with the total panel output being whatever all the little cells are combined, usually around 18 volts. To accomplish this you will lay the cells face down and solder them together in series on their backs. Each series of cells will be placed into a box frame. The frame will be simple plywood and plexiglass with the cells in between. The diode listed above is installed to prevent your cells from draining your batteries at night or on overcast days, and lastly you will drill a hole in the back for the wires to run out.
You should be able to make a solar panel following this process for $100 – $200. Just repeat until you have as many panels as you want. This is basically all there is to it. If you’re serious about building your own solar panels I suggest you check out these in depth Solar Panel Plans for a more complete process. These and other guides like it are great because they provide videos and detailed step by step instruction for you to follow.
You will need to put in a little work but this is a great weekend project that can be really fun and end up being a great asset to your home, campsite, or wherever you need electricity!
Good Luck!
by admin on April 8, 2010
Here is just one more reason I love homemade solar panels. Since they are so much cheaper than retail priced solar panels, you can easily turn your solar hobby into a tidy weekend business.
Interested in solar energy, protecting the environment, and making money?
Well you can do all three by building and selling solar panels. People love green energy, but they just don’t know nor understand enough about it to fork over the thousands of dollars it costs to build a home solar system.
Here’s where you come in. Building Homemade Solar Panels is really not that difficult at all. Once you do it a couple times it gets really easy, and then its up to you what to do. You can always add more capacity to your own solar system, or you can take what you’ve learned and make a little money here and there on the weekend.
by admin on April 1, 2010
Ever wonder exactly how a home solar system works?
1.) Sunlight strikes the solar panel and is absorbed by semi-conducting materials like silicone.
2.) The sunlight knocks loose electrons from their atoms, which then flow through the semi-conductive material to create electricity.
3.) Solar panels convert sunlight into a DC direct current of electricity.
4.) To make the DC current usable in your home it is sent through an inverter which turns it into a 120 volt AC alternating current.
5.) The AC power goes from the inverter to the house, and is distributed from the utility panel to the rest of the house.
6.) When your panels are generating more electricity than you need the excess can be stored in batteries in the form of DC current, and if your state allows it excess electricity can be sold back to the power company. This is called Net Metering.
7.) When your panels are generating less than enough electricity you can draw from your batteries or directly from the grid.
Facts about home solar systems
- A residential solar energy system will typically include solar panels, an inverter, batteries, a charge controller, wiring, and support.
- A 1-kilowatt system costs roughly $10,000. This can vary greatly depending on local government incentives, but this is a good rough estimate.
- A 1-kilowatt system will include roughly a dozen solar panels and cover roughly 100 sq. ft. of roof.
- A 1-kilowatt system will produce roughly 1600 kilowatt hours per year in a sunny area. (The average American home uses approximately 11,000 kilowatt hours per year).
Interested in building your own solar system? Check out these DIY solar panel plans.
by admin on March 29, 2010
Solar technology has become much more affordable in recent years due to new technology and manufacturing improvements. Although building a home solar system can be an expensive undertaking, it will more than pay for itself in the long run, just like any good investment.
If you take into account the rising cost of energy, lets assume a very conservative increase of 5% per year (some predictions are much higher than that), and the fact that your solar system will last at least 25 years (and possibly twice that long) then you can begin to see why its such a great investment.
So in fourteen years the cost of power has doubled, but you’re getting the same amount of power year after year, so every year that goes by your solar panels are saving you more money.
In the US right now the Clean Energy Tax Credit refunds 35% of the expense of your solar panels up to a maximum of $10,500. Here is a map detailing renewable energy and efficiency incentives in your state, read more about it here.
Here is a table listing the daily updated cost of solar panels.
And of course the least expensive method is the do-it-yourself approach. You can save a lot if you take this route, and it lets you start small and add panels as time and money allow. Check out the Solar Panel Plans section for more on this topic.
by admin on March 21, 2010
Solar panels are designed to be viable in most US climates, but there are a number of factors to consider when determining whether solar power is right for your home.
Annual Sunfall in Your Region – Areas that receive more Watt-hours of sunfall per square inch will be better suited for solar power. The more sun your area receives, the less solar panels you will need to generate a desired amount of power.
Shade and Obstructions – Shade from nearby buildings or trees can drastically reduce the output of your solar panels. Try to place your solar installation where it receives as little shade as possible, especially during peak sunlight hours.
South Facing – The sun does not travel directly above our heads each day but tilted slightly to the south. Therefore an ideal solar setup will have panels tilted southward. A south sloping roof is ideal, but not necessary. It’s always possible to use special mounts to tilt your panels in the desired direction.
Roof Structure – You will want to be sure your roof is sturdy enough to handle the extra weight of the solar panels. A roof may need repairs or added reinforcements, or in some cases to achieve the optimal conditions, vents or skylights may have to be covered over.
Power Grid Connection – Nowadays most states allow what is called Net Metering, where your local power company allows you to sell excess energy generated by your solar system. Check this Net Metering Map to see if your state allows it. A second power meter is usually installed, and for older homes a breaker panel upgrade may be necessary.
If you are interested in building a solar system at your home check out the solar panel plans section for some great do-it-yourself information.
by admin on March 19, 2010
Solar panels are becoming more common in our every day lives. They are constantly being applied in new and interesting ways. No longer do we only see them on calculators, and roofs. They’re everywhere now.
They are used to provide power to recreational vehicles, wireless lawn lights, certain notebook computers, all manner of electronics meant to be used in locations without access to electricity, and countless others.
In 2010 the solar panel plans on making many new appearances. Here are a few I found interesting.
The new 2010 Toyota Solar Roof Prius will include solar panels on its roof. This new twist on the highly acclaimed hybrid will allow the driver to operate the air conditioning system without turning on the car’s engine. The idea is to prevent the car from heating up while parked, which will in turn reduce the time and energy it takes to cool the car once it’s in operation again.
Another surprising place where the solar panel plans on making a debut is on top of our landfills! Republic Services, one of our nation’s largest waste disposal companies has installed landfill covers equipped with solar panels at its Tessman Road landfill in San Antonio, Texas. Combined with its existing waste-to-energy system, the facility produces 9 megawatts of power, enough energy to power 5,500 homes.
