Sunday, July 20, 2008

Solar Collectors: Simple Way to Utilize Sun Power

Passive solar collectors can be simple items that are heated by the suns rays to produce solar energy. It is somehow the opposite of active type, which works by producing electrical power to charge batteries or  powering small appliances in a direct manner.

Many experts would advise home and building owners to face their houses toward south; this makes sun power collector devices to be easily operated by the sun. This face-the-south advice has been done by many for the longest time and people swear that most sun shine fall on the south most of the day.



Passive sun energy collecting devices such as skylights, sun power tubes and insulated windows are usually found in passive sun powered homes, providing great illumination for the home during most of the day hours. Sky light devices, for instance, can be used in small rooms and bath and are extremely effective in illuminating these areas of the house.

Collectors at windows build up enough heat that can also be utilized at home. These energy converting devices have proven to be effective that more and more consumers have realized its importance in complementing conventional electricity as an alternative source of power. 


With the demand for these devices on the rise, many manufacturers produce them to meet the requirements of the public. Such passive solar energy collectors are easily available and can be bought at most major hardware stores and home improvement shops. It is also possible for people to assemble and install them – one only has to for plans and instructions on how to build them from the Internet.

Needless to say, for homeowners and consumers who have needs for passive energy, there are now alternative solar gadgets that are meant to meet such needs. Indeed, time is near when energy from the sun and other alternative and much cheaper power sources are harnessed in an efficient and inexpensive manner. Alternative energy will have become more easily available, cheaper, and more commonly used in many ways within passive solar homes in these modern times.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Flexible Solar Panels: Amorphous Type

Flexible solar panels are possible one of the most advanced sun power technology devices that have been discovered in the most recent years. They allow your solar systems to stay stronger, more durable, and unyielding particularly during bad weather conditions.

Also known as amorphous panels, these alternative sun-powered gadgets are likewise known to possess a good number of benefits and advantages as well as their own share of disadvantages - details that every meticulous consumer must be aware of. Your preference to utilize these solar panels for sale on most hardware stores and even on online shops, is largely dependent on your energy requirement, monetary budget and local climate.

Good Qualities of Flexible Solar Cell Devices

Flexible/Stretchable – this type of sun gadgets can be stretched in a manner that it will perfectly fit your home’s rooftop. This is quite different from the traditional sun panels that are known to be not stretchable and can hardly fit perfectly the typical roof.

Can be stored for a long time – These amorphous gadgets are also unique in that they can be stored by rolling up when not in used. It is easy to roll these panels as a thin backing substrate layer is applied to the panel proper.


Bad Qualities

Less efficient and reliable – One disadvantage of this type of panel is that they are known to be less efficient than the other types. The reason for such inefficiency is because they fit much looser together. Normally, sun powered gadgets must be fitted together in a tight way in order to gather and create solar power and electricity more efficiently.

However, this is sometimes not true for flexible panel devices. The reason why they turn out to be less efficient is largely because of the incompetency of the fitter or the one installing it on the roof. If the installation is done in utmost care, ensuring the proper fitting together of the panels, then they will move the current more efficiently and hence perform just quite well. 


This is the reason why we should not try to do the installation ourselves if we can't assure the quality of the process. It is simply advisable for an owner to request for the services of a technician or expert installer from the company where the gadget is bought. This is to make sure that the flexible solar cell device is properly installed on top of your home's roof.