Monday, February 21, 2011

Solar Home Panels - Environment-friendly Power Gadget


We all want to save a significant part of our budget, what with the many expenses that we have to meet in our household month after month. Fortunately when it comes to power, we can try going for the free and renewable solar energy and use solar home panels instead of forever depending of the common electricity that we get every day from the local grid.

Indeed, with the kind of economy that we have today, it is economical if we are able to cut down on our daily budget with the use of these devices. What’s great about them is that you can choose the appropriate model and size to match your residential power needs. And if there is the surplus of energy created by these gadgets, we can have them stored in battery for future use. You have the option to sell them to the local grid as surplus energy. Likewise, there is also opportunities to earn solar power rebates in places such as in New Jersey and California.

Where can we buy home solar panels?



These gadgets, which are actually made of semi-conductors that work with photovoltaic cells, are easily available in the market.

If you want to purchase your unit in the comfort of your own home, then you can try logging online and buy the gadget of your choice from a website shop. Of course, you will have to choose the shop that has a complete variety of solar panel products in order for you to have a wide inventory from which to choose from.

The economical do-it-yourself solar kit as well as the portable solar panels can be very economical for use especially if you maintain just a small household. If you want to own DIY kits, these are easy to buy even in your local hardware and home stores.

These devices are the ideal choose of consumers with limited budget such they are priced lower than the large and heavy duty type. These DIY gadgets are easy to use as they come with ready and easy-to-understand manuals containing simple steps on how to operate the kit.

Benefits of solar home panels


They can actually cut down on the electric expenses by as much as 80 to 90 percent.
If you decide on totally using power from the sun and cutting of your connection with the local grid, then you might need to use more panel devices.

Portable types, which can be used for home needs, can also be used anywhere. For example, you and your family go out-of-town or on a camping trip using the recreational vehicle. These means that you will need power to run your RV’s small appliances such as stove and radio.

Also, many might be having second thoughts about using sun-powered panels because of existing solar power pros and cons. But it is obvious that the advantages are much more than the disadvantages. One of the most important benefits of solar panels is that the power that we derive from them is clean for the environment. It is so unlike the traditional sources of power such as the electricity which only produces and contributes pollutants to the environment. We all know that the common power that is used worldwide comes from carbon fossil and coal, all of which are major contributors to the detriment of our environment.

Whether use are using the home or the portable panels, you are 100% assured that the energy that they produce is free from pollution. This makes you proud as you know that are contributing to the protection and preservation of the environment. Of course, this is aside from the fact that you are able to save because of the cut down on power bills.
Image credit: mikecogh

Sunday, February 20, 2011

How Does Solar Panel Work?


Have you ever wondered and simply ask the question how does solar panel work? Indeed, it can really be amazing just to think how a gadget that you installed on top of your roof can work to produce electrical power in order to run the home appliances and equipment that you have in your home or office. While you might not give any serious thought about the mechanics that goes with the operation of solar powered home panels, it is certainly worth knowing it especially if you realize that its use can be very helpful in the preservation of the cleanliness of our environment.

How does a solar panel work, really?


For those who want to know the effectiveness of these alternative power gadgets, they simply collect energy, or PV, from the sun and convert it to electric power. Basically, PV cells are the main components of these device, and are made simply out of special silicon materials. Such materials in turn are made of sand that is manufactured into big computer chips. These chips are made to work as semiconductors.

The rays of the sun are absorbed by the photovoltaic panels, and into a PN junction wherein which the sun energy is transformed into electric power. This PN junction is actually where negative and positive forces work to create the electric field.

Once the much needed power is created by the solar electric panels, the power is transported into electrical wiring around the house. Actually, the electricity is originally a DC type, but since normally homes in the United States run on AC, all of the DC power will be transported to an inverter in order for it to be converted into AC. Thus such converted power can now provide energy to all the homes, offices and other establishments that use the PV systems.

The surplus power that the panels capture is stored in big battery systems meant to collect such power. They are usually found in protected exterior areas of the homes. Also these batteries can be found in basements or any other hidden storage in the house. For those residential and business owners who have great need for electricity, there are batteries that are capable of storing power that can be used continuously for one long week, even longer.

So for those who might ask “how does a solar panel work” It can be quite tricky to know how it really works, especially for the technologically challenged individual. But as long as one is able to purchase his sun power kits, it can be quite easy to install them on the roof, what with the instruction that accompanies the unit. But if you decide that you simply want to have an easy time, it is advisable to simply let a professional do the installing of your unit.
Image credit: Michael Deegan