Build Own Solar Panel

How to make solar panels at home.

Archive for October, 2009

Solar energy is a great renewable resource that is growing in popularity with the average consumer. As energy prices skyrocket and the average income stagnating, if not falling, consumers are looking for a way to reduce their costs of living in any area possible. The rise of renewable energy, and the desire to wean our society off of fossil fuels, makes using solar panels for the home a great alternative for power.

Solar power kits save energy for the homeowner because they allow the homeowner to generate their own electricity to power their home. In some cases, the homeowner can go completely off-grid and even sell additional electricity back to the power company. What a powerful concept to be able to take an expense and turn it into an asset.

What are solar panels?

A solar panel is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells that are cased in a housing unit to protect the cells from the weather and from physical damage. These panels generate electricity, which is then used to directly power devices in the home, or charge battery cells to store the power for nighttime use. A solar power kit typically includes solar panels, an inverter and interconnection wiring to connect the panel to the electrical system in the home. For those that want to live off the grid, batteries are included for continuous power during the day and night. The use of infrared solar cells also allows the homeowner to generate electricity at night, thus increasing the efficiency of these cells.

The technology of solar cells continues to advance with time. Currently, the efficiency rate of solar cells range from 5% to 19% depending upon the technology. The reason is that the solar cells (or photo-voltaic cells) only convert a limited range of sunlight frequencies into electricity. The renewable energy industry is experimenting with advanced technologies that will raise the efficiency of these solar cells by a whopping 50%.

A new technology for solar cells, also called thin film or third generation solar cells, is being researched. The plus side of this new generation technology is that it produces solar cells that can operate with a higher efficiency and less cost. These brands are both rigid and flexible thin film modules. The differences between the rigid thin film module and the flexible thin film module are due to differences in the materials that are used to make the modules and differences in the production of the modules.

Solar modules can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years while still operating at 80% of their original capacity. Every year the number of panels sold to consumers continues to grow. In 2007 over 4 million solar units were sold. There are a number of manufacturers that produce solar panels for consumer use, however the average consumer can create their own solar panels using materials from their local hardware store.

Solar panels for the home can provide renewable energy for the consumer. The initial costs can range greatly if the consumer chooses to build their own solar energy kit or have another company install a solar power kit. As the technology improves, the homeowner will have more options available to them to completely power their home with renewable solar power energy.

B Hopkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/what-are-solar-panels-for-the-home-710880.html

save energy 

Solar panel systems do it yourself fabrication with electricity saving purpose is not surprisingly on the increase among a world population that feels the crunch of two globe crisis going on hand by hand; the energy crisis and the financial crisis. Just take a look at your power bill and then at your pocket. One is constantly showing higher balances whereas the other lower. In both cases, demand is totally overpowering supply leaving the average consumer with an ever wider gap between power bill expenses and available income.

Our planet is running short on conventional power supplies, like oil and gas and has not taken the necessary steps to prevent this unbalanced state or the deterioration of the environment. In many cases it is the common people that are investigating solar panel systems and implementing available technology in order to save electricity, money and the planet.

In addition to making conscious changes in their habits and routines at home when using power and water many are contemplating an innovative approach to saving. They understand that the actual source of non renewable energy they are currently using is running dry and drying their thin wallets in the process. It is an ongoing reality that has to be terminated, and that’s why many are taking a closer look at home solar panel systems and finding it a cost effective solution.

Alternative energy like a solar panel system offers both solutions, the advantages of saving power and money, and a lesser impact on the environment. They don’t become exhausted by use, are in natural large quantity around us and environmentally friendly.

The main renewable energy sources are sun, wind and water. They could be categorized in three forms of solutions: solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy.< These energy sources not only offer a savings solution to the general economy and the individual pocket, but also many benefits and advantages over conventional non renewable energy sources.

Solar energy when used with today’s advanced technology becomes a reliable source of heat and light, and capable of creating other forms of energy. It is ready available and for free. Nobody needs to be convinced of its abundance and the lack of a controlled human monopoly. Its use will definitely facilitate big electricity savings and have a say in a greener environment.

Electricity saving solar based solutions for homes are really easy to build and inexpensive. Several applications are available for home lighting, heating system, cooking, etc. A trendy implementation is the charging and storage of solar energy into solar cells. It is amazingly simple to do and it is accomplished by the production of solar panel systems. A home based solar lighting system will put an end to the electricity bills, and a smile of satisfaction in the home owner’s face, when the lights are on during the night and the electricity company has nothing to do with it. For heating solutions a solar power system is an investment that pays entirely for itself in no time, and after that it will continue to give the service and advantages for free. For people spending a lot of time in the kitchen, image a cooking device that does not use any fuel for cooking despite the fact of being able to boil, roast and bake for several people.

Wind power solutions are more appropriate for buildings, mansions or farmhouses. Free pollution wind power systems are based on equipment commonly known as wind turbines, wind mills and wind generators.

Water power solutions are applicable when hydro energy is converted to run different kind of vehicles and some electrical appliances.

All these renewable energy sources will permit the average person to reduce the ever increasing cost of living, and shrink or totally get rid of electricity bills.

Solar panel systems offer the option of electricity saving and aid at fighting power outages. Start your own fabrication of home solar power systems and add participation to a greener environment and a better future for the next generations.

Copyright © F. Prida. All Rights Reserved. 

F. Prida
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/electricity-saving-with-a-solar-panel-system-698487.html

It is considered as an incredibly brilliant breakthrough - “Build Solar Panels Kit” System enables you to produce your very own in-house power-supply. The first impression may not reveal that, but this technique can easily operate refrigerators, w. machines, and other popular home-appliances. By reading this quick article you’ll be able to learn more about this special technology.

Quick overview

Assembling such “Build Solar Panels Kit” System doesn’t require any special technical skills - you simply need to follow a ‘proven-to-work’ guide that teaches how to create Solar-Panels. It is highly important to work with a professional guide; make sure it uses simple english without being too much ‘techi’, also, does it offer video tutorials, illustrations, and tech support? Well, here are several tips & benefits that may help you to know more about this subject.

Quick benefits and advantages

While examining what is in it for us, we quickly find the following:

* It is portable and you can take it with you (camping for example).
* Helps the environment.
* It is already proven to work for thousands of people.
* One-time investment that lasts for life.
* Helps our nation on becoming less dependent on external oil suppliers.

Tip to go

Make sure that there aren’t any unnecessary objects/obstacles that may be blocking sunlight to your unit; otherwise it may lose its efficiency.

Quick summary

This technology is considered highly popular for the following reason: “Build Solar Panels Kit” System requires almost no special technical/professional skills from the user’s side to get outstanding results. There are probably many other advantages provided by this exceptional invention, simply because it is about to change the entire industry forever. Now is the time to take action - it is recommended to evaluate it so you could truly see how it can save your monthly budget.

Jason Gilford
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/quotbuild-solar-panels-kitquot-system–read-this-important-review-710779.html

Oct
31

Homemade Solar Panel:

Posted by admin

Today, it is easier than ever to build your own Solar Panel, with all the kits and methods available, your own homemade solar panel can be an effective way to produce your own power and save on future power bills. All the components required for creating your own solar panel are made available in most kits. These components typically include: solar cells, a soldering iron, flux and tabbing. Kits typically include detailed instructions on how to make a solar panel. Constructing a solar panel at home does not require professional expertise. All you need is a kit, guideline, clear idea and a logical mind. You can simply follow the step-by-step instructions available with the kit and create you very own homemade solar panels.

Homemade solar panel can be made from a collection of solar cells. Each solar cell produces a small amount of electricity, but collectively they can produce enough electricity to fulfill your household power needs. It is important for the panels to keep facing the sun to receive direct sunrays. It’s the crucial requirement for its working because again our logical mind says that the sun is the source of energy for our solar panels so it should not be barrier by shade or not-so-ample sunlight. There must be no hurdle between sun and solar panels, the way should be clear and direct.

You can choose from a number of tracking solar mounts available. The single-axis tracker is fixed at a vertical angle. The angel is manually maneuvered to follow the path of the sun, which is based on seasonal changes. For summer, the rule of thumb is to set the panels at your latitude minus 15, and for winter, you can set the panels at your latitude plus 15. The dual-axis tracker adjusts the vertical angle automatically. So you don’t need to worry about that either. It works easily and efficiently without any extra care and maintenance.

Biggest advantage of building and installing solar panel is that they are eco-friendly. They produce green energy to use the latest terminology. Other forms of electricity emit certain harmful elements that contribute to smog, and other pollution, while solar power is free from such perilous emissions. If you find you entail more energy output, you may add more solar panels to generate more power. At the end of the day it all depends on your own requirement of energy so you can adjust your solar panels accordingly. There is no hard and fast rule in the amount of panels, they more you want you can add to your roof with proportion to the space available.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/homemade-solar-panel-678070.html

It’s important to understand the role that technological change plays in the pricing of your home solar panels and home wind turbines. This is the third most important ingredient in budgeting for your homemade electricity solutio. Understanding your homemade electricity needs and how efficent both home solar panels and home wind turbines can be in your living environment are the other two key factors.

The Technolgy Pricing Curve

The technology price curve, when shown on a chart, looks a litle like a ski slope. On this chart the vertical axis represents price, the horizontal units sold. When the technolgy is first released it ver expensive and not many buy. However overtime more buy and as they do the price plummets until you have very large numbers being sold at a low price. This is how the technolgy pricing curve generally works.

Calculating your best time to buy.

In short the best time to buy the components to make your home solar panel and home wind turbine solution is when a component has just become yesterdays news. Many people buy the latest thing they can and this is great, but not financially efficent. Buying whatever is the standard, middle of the road component can be a good idea, however the products to watch are those that used to be the standard but have just become “old” in the last few weeks. These components should see a rapid price fall that eventually stabalizes. If you buy as soon as the price stabalises you will get the best value for money in terms of technology for your home solar panel and home wind turbine solution.

Conclusion

Buying just behind the technology curve is not for everyone. Some people want to show others that they have made a serious investment in becoming energy independant and cheaper older technolgy doesn’t fulfill this goal. If on the otherhand your goal is to build from costs effective and well tested components this brief guide will ensure you dlollar goes further.

Dr Self Help
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/2-quick-buying-tips-for-cheaper-home-solar-panels-and-a-cheaper-home-wind-turbine-735689.html

Oct
31

How to Build a Solar Panel

Posted by admin

Over the past decade there have been more individuals deciding to build a solar panel for the home, office or other building structure. This actually saves in energy bills and has proven to be effective in additional costs. By using a solar panel many people have realized that it is eco friendly and good for the environment too.

Solar Panels are easy to put together and the end cost is really inexpensive. And, when the panels have been put into place properly the building expenses will be reimbursed to a certain degree over the first few months of operation. In addition, some power utilities locally will also want to pay you for the energy you do not use and provide it somewhere else. The solar panels in many ways produce more energy needed for one structure.

Building solar panels is really an easy task to accomplish now. This is due in part that there are so many types of kits on the market today and means of purchasing the products needed to build them. There are do it yourself references with common information that is essential in building a good solar panel as well. Materials that are needed are always mentioned in the references or the kit you have purchased.

References and kits can be found in hardware and improvement stores for the home and on a number of web sites found via the Internet. According to product surveys these kits run under a hundred dollars and save individuals up to a certain percentage on his or her energy bills.

Obviously, the solar panel when built provides you with enough resources from the sun to supply you with the same amount, if not more in energy efficiency. The instructions for building a solar panel is really self explanatory so people who really don’t know a lot about building or installing panels are able to get it done!

All over the world eco friendly solar panels are being built and even high rises in large cities are being designed with them. It is truly something that isn’t really the future but yet something that is of the present. People are building solar panels in order to preserve the future in many ways but the initial concept begins today. Building a solar panel is very easy to do and when the job is completely accomplished the total in finances is still under four or five hundred dollars, depending on which kit is purchased and how build the solar panels are that you build.

sidana.abhi
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/how-to-build-a-solar-panel-687703.html

Oct
31

Paint Your Career With a Green Job

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Solar living“, “green” houses, “smart” appliances, “going green” – these aren’t just “the day’s” catchwords; these are all phrases used to describe a way of life.  In the past decade or so however, they’ve also come to describe a way of working.

If you’re new in the field and looking for a career, or if you have a career but you’d like to increase your knowledge and skills base, you’re in luck.  Your position doesn’t have to be high technology, like a PV Project Engineer.  Thanks to the new federal incentives for solar energy, more than 440,000 jobs for installation and manufacturing will be opening up within the solar industry. 

Even without the federal incentives, the need for people with solar training grows each year.  Environmental groups argue against carbon pollution; homeowners looking for lower energy costs pay roofers with solar training to replace their old asphalt tiles with solar panels and PV arrays; companies and individuals who use solar energy receive tax credits.  As the demand for products from the solar industry rise, so does the need for those who can develop, manufacture and install those products.

This remains true even through the current economic crisis; having a green job ensures job security in a shaky economic climate.  Billions of dollars are being spent on solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing, installation and maintenance, green building and any number of energy efficient and sustainable energy methods.  According to Greenpeace and the Worldwatch Institute, green jobs may be one of the keys to economic stabilization.

People in the construction industry, such as general contractors, are some of those that could take advantage of solar courses and certification.  Most solar training for general contractors isn’t so much learning about new things, as learning a new way to do old things.  For instance, a trained general contractor will ensure that new buildings meet the high performance standards necessary to receive Green certification. 

In addition, retrofitting old buildings to become energy efficient adds jobs for solar trained workers, engineers, electricians and others.  Retrofitting may actually turn into a more lucrative position than building, as there are more non-compliant buildings than there are Green certified buildings.

The lack of workers with solar training isn’t confined to one area:

  • Connecticut just created a $9 million fund for investments in starting companies focused on clean technology jobs.
  • Hawaii plans to stop using fossil fuels within the next ten years, moving to renewable, sustainable energy.  An agreement to allow customers with solar panels to sell power back to the Hawaiian Electric Company was signed in November of this year, though not brought into law.
  • In Oregon, over 1,700 solar jobs are either available or opening since Gov. Ted Kulongoski began luring renewable energy jobs to the state.

Everywhere across America and the globe, solar jobs are opening up and people with solar education are needed.  If you don’t have a field yet, or would like to expand your field, look into solar training.  The opportunities are endless!

Unitek Collge
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/paint-your-career-with-a-green-job-692096.html

Oct
31

Solar Power Technologies on Hold

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Two solar power technologies exist, the passive and the active technology. The passive technology are the photocell panels or the photovoltaic film that receives sunlight and generates electricity more apt for a space station or a home. The active technology is a solar thermal that uses a dish to concentrate sunlight that produces steam, which in turn powers a turbine that generates electricity. Another active technology, which is not being promoted, hidden form public view, is using the Stirling Engine to move a power generator.

The passive technology is ready to go, and there are a few homes that have already installed the system. This system is totally clean, backed by the USDOE Solar American Initiative, it requires sufficient space on the roof to position the panels or film, and uses an inverter to turn direct current into alternate current homes can use. The Utility companies have also developed the Net Metering system to buy electricity on their terms, from homes that have generate a surplus of electricity. The new federal tax law “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008″ effective January 2009 provides a 30% tax credit of the cost of a solar system. Some States are also providing large incentives to install solar systems, although with the current economic crisis these paybacks can be curtailed or delayed. The rest of the payback has to come from real savings generated over time by the system from the Utility company. This passive solar system is expensive as of today, and payback is obtained in 8 years of savings. Photovoltaic film or photocell panels are low efficiency and voltage, and compare badly with the option of buying electricity from the utility company. Currently you require from 13 to 15 photocell panels to generate the 2.5 to 3.0 Kilowatt hours generating capacity.

Walmart has established a pilot plan to install photovoltaic panels in several of their stores. If the system produces a return, they will massively implement it in all their stores, since they have sufficient roof space currently not utilized.

The Solar-thermal system is not adequate for homes and mainly will be used for large Utility companies. However, the active system based on a Stirling engine to power a generator which could be applicable for homes, is not available for massive distribution. Although all of its components have been developed, no one has yet integrated the solar power generating kit, or a home appliance. This home system or appliance should be very low cost because it requires: a solar collector or dish which could cost around $200 USD, a stiriling engine with a cost of $350, the 3 KW per hour power generator with a cost of $350, and the battery bank which is the expensive ticket item and could run several thousand dollars, to store electricity if the system is a stand alone not tied to the power grid. If the home is currently supplied by a utility company, then the battery bank is not needed and the Net Metering system with the public utility company can be used. In addition to the sun collector dish the rest of the system can be packaged in two boxes. One which has the stiriling engine and power generator, and the other with the battery if you are a location not tied to the grid. It can also have a gas heater installation as a backup to when there is a lack of sunlight making this a very reliable alternative.

Apparently, there are companies in America, New Zealand, India, Sweden, and other countries trying to develop the stiriling engine . A few companies are receiving funding from investment funds to develop the stiriling engine for this home appliance. Infinia Corporation, a US company has a head start, because they are currently producing a big sterling engine to power up 10 homes at a time and installing many of them in a centralized solar farm in California. Other companies should not be discouraged because markets are so huge, there will be enough room for all suppliers. Just in United States alone there is a potential of 124 million homes that could use the solar power appliance, plus commercial and industrial sites.

Having the home powering appliance, can be the initial steps for returning to sustainable systems. Today, the sun is light and warmth, provided to us from God and Nature, free for all of us to use and enjoy. A home solar powered generator would provide clean energy, and allow equal footing to all nations rich and poor, to devote their funding into other worthwhile social services such as health and education. Rich nations which have electrical grids and power generation capacity would suddenly feel there would be no need to continue increasing Power generation capacities and hopefully they would discontinue all those plants that contaminate. Please see Poverty generation:  http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/poverty-and-the-new-world-order-809385.html

Juan Trevino
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/solar-power-technologies-on-hold-673269.html

Oct
31

Solar Electricity Panels

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Solar electricity panels are much like any other solar panels with maybe a few differences. There are kits that are sold that will assist an individual in the construction and installation of these panels as well. In addition, these panels operate much like the others by the means of using the wavelengths of light drawn from the sun to work.

In order to design solar electricity panels an individual can also find assistance via the Internet on a variety of web sites. These panels use very small crystal cells, different forms of wattage control, as well as wattage.

It is important to remember too, that different amp cells are going to produce different amounts of energy or electricity when these are finished products and running efficiently.

Many homes today are using eco-friendly designs in order to also preserve energy for future generations and to save financially. In essence, any layout will work for this design however planning ahead for the design will improve the effectiveness of the solar panels and how they distribute energy throughout the home or office. Connectors as well as other parts are used for this design too and there are several different components that individuals can use too.

The kits that are sold to aid in the construction of solar electricity panels are reasonably priced and after the panels are completed the total cost is under an average of $600.00 total.

In addition, other materials used are aluminum bar stock, nylon screen and bus ribbon with electrical tape. Obviously, these types of panels are a bit unique however they succeed in saving individuals in cost of power than they would normally use. There are several different ways to actually design solar electricity panels and this is what makes them useful for many different building structures as well.

Ultimately it is estimated that over the next few years more solar panels will be seen throughout towns and communities as more individuals seek to improve on his or her utility and electricity bills. Economically, the concept is better for everyone and environmentally the idea is ideal for everyone.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/solar-electricity-panels-676732.html

Oct
31

DIY Solar Panels:

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One of the best things you can do for your self is to us DIY Solar Panels for your home. It not only saves money but its very environment friendly too. There will be no fuel problem and hustle for health problems. You can use the solar energy for residential, commercial and industrial power. It is also used in power pumping stations, power telecom equipment. So let us introduce our lives to this thing popularly called Green Energy…

DIY Solar Panels are assortment of photovoltaic cells that can actually create alternative energy source that we call solar energy from sun. What works for this system is maximum exposure of sun and moderate temperature. A solar panel produces a clean and environmentally friendly source of solar power. A solar panel is typically installed on a rooftop or stand alone mounting racks, depending on your requirement. The highlighted factor that should always be kept in mind is that the solar panel system should be located at a place where it can absorb maximum exposure of sunlight without any shading. Shade can drastically reduce your solar power production of your solar panel, which in turn reduces your total amount of solar power for your solar house. Logically speaking sunlight is the source through which is acting as a fuel for our solar panel so how its going to work without it. That’s the point that should be dealt logically.

DIY Solar panels are effectively required for manufacturing a solar cell. Therefore, extra care and consideration should be given to this fact that the panels are manufacturing correctly, because this high consideration will result in highest efficiency of the final outcome of solar electricity generator.

These days its real simple and convenient for us to buy the kits from market which helps us in building our DIY Solar Panels. It doesn’t require high investment, but now its quirt within budget. But then again, before even buying those economic kits we should give some thought to our requirement as well. Its very important that first you do you home work about the solar panels. First off, make sure you have enough room on your roof to actually install the DIY Solar Panels. That’s actually very crucial part of the whole process, that you should have enough space for the panels. Again logic is that the amount of electricity that you want to generate is directly going to be associated by the wattage corresponding to the DIY Solar Panels. There are kits available in market beside the huge amount of guides that we can get from everywhere through various sources of information. All these are comprehensive and easy to understand. Genuinely for the consumers who want to cut short their electricity bill.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/diy-solar-panels-678012.html