Posts Tagged ‘how to make solar cells’

Heating The Pool Using Solar Energy

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Have you been thinking of utilizing solar power to heat your swimming pool? You can!  Installing solar panels to heat your pool won’t cost you much. You can even build them yourself for less than 0 in materials and less than a weekend’s worth of work. An added benefit is that, after the initial installation cost, you won’t be paying an ongoing fuel bill.

The How To Build Solar Energy Report

Before you decide to install solar panels to heat your pool, there are a few key things to think about. First, will your solar panel system be exposed to ample sunlight during the course of the day? The solar panels used for heating pools are simple passive collectors. They normally consist of plastic, water-filled coils encased in shatter-resistant glass. As water collects in the coils, it gets heated by the sun, then pumped into the pool.

If your property has a lot of shade trees, there may not be enough sunlight for a passive solar pool heater. However, a clear south- or west-facing rooftop is an ideal location for solar panels to get the full benefit of sunlight.

The Most Popular System To Solar Panel is Now Self-Build

Next, how much difference is there between the outside air and the temperature you want your pool to be? For example, if you’re trying to heat your outdoor pool in Michigan to 78 degrees in freezing weather, you’ll want to stick with a pool cover and a serious gas heater. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Florida to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.

When you do install a solar heater, you’ll still want to cover your pool for such times when the air is cooler than your pool’s water temperature. Any time you notice steam rising from the pool’s surface, it’s best to use the pool cover to retain the heat.

Watch The Clip on Building Solar Panel Cell

If you’re new to solar heating systems, here’s a word of caution. Some people mistakenly believe that they might save even more money if they used the pool’s solar heater to heat water for their home. Sorry, but the two systems don’t combine well. The water in your pool contains chlorine and muriatic acid. It won’t do any harm to swim in it or to swallow a little, but you really wouldn’t want to add it to your home’s drinking water system. Solar water heating for your home is an whole different project.

Which Type of Solar Panels

Friday, December 11th, 2009

There are basically two types of solar panels: electricity producing and heat generating. They cannot be used interchangeably, so you need to know the difference. That aside, both will be of benefit to you if you are contemplating saving on energy bills.

See How Solar Panel to Make Energy or Heat Systems Work Here

A solar thermal collector uses energy from sunlight to heat water and even other fluids, like oil. The liquid is heated by the sun as it runs through tubing, hoses, or coils in the panel. These kinds of panels are great for heating swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and hot water for homes and businesses. These panels can also be used for baseboard heating units and hot water flooring systems for heating building interiors. Although no additional heating fuels are needed once these are installed, they will usually require some kind of motorized pump to circulate the fluids.

Solar photovoltaic cells help generate DC (direct current) electricity. Typically, they use semi-conductor material (silicon) in the panel, which interacts with sunlight to produce electricity. This electricity can be used to run household and electrical appliances, or even the whole house if the system is big enough. The panels are only able to produce electricity when they are receiving direct sunlight.

Using Solar Panel to Make Your House or Pool Warm

To ensure that you have continuous energy twenty four hours and through all weathers you can include a back-up battery unit with your system. You can use less expensive lead-acid batteries (like you car uses), but you will need to make sure they are filled with distilled water in order to maintain their charge. You can also use more expensive batteries. Sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries don’t need maintenance to keep their charge. Freeze-resistant gel batteries are ideal for colder climates.

For both the thermal collector and the photovoltaic systems, glass panels are used to encase their collection systems, and both must have direct sunlight to function. The panels are ideally situated in a location that faces south and allows maximum access to sunlight throughout the day. Solar panels can be used in any location to utilize the sun’s energy, but they won’t work as well in areas that typically have a lot of overcast days during the year.

Even in mostly sunny regions, it’s always a good idea to add a backup generator to both kinds of solar panel systems. If you are maintaining a green lifestyle, you can use biodiesel to power your generator. And the generators can be used if your battery storage fails, or whenever there is an unexpected period of overcast days.

You Can Use Solar Panel to Build Your Own Domestic Energy: Find Out Here

Solar Panels: The Added Value

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

If you are considering installing a solar energy system in your home, you know can be a important decision and investment, and you may want to know if it will make your home more valuable. The answer depends on many factors. Here are some points to consider.

Solar Energy: Makes Home Economic Sense

First, how aware is your area of the benefits and value of using solar power? If there is a lot of interest and involvement in the “green” movement, there’s a good chance that buyers will view the solar energy system as an asset and will be willing to pay more. But if your community has little eco-friendly involvement, for example there’s not much recycling or concern for environmental issues, buyers may disregard the expense and work that went into installing your solar panels.

But even in a place where people never think about green living, most can relate to saving money.  If you can show a paper trail of your energy savings over a period of time, the new owner will have proof that the solar power system will be an asset.  With heating and cooling bills often running into several hundred dollars a month for some families, savings on utilities becomes important.

Transfering The Power Away From The Energy Company

But what if you’ve only had your solar panel system for a short time? How can you prove energy savings? Contact your utilities company and request a statistical projection of cost reduction over time. You can also obtain data from the company that did your solar energy system. Most of the larger solar installation companies have marketing departments that collect this type of data to show people how solar panels will generate energy savings for them.

Another factor to consider is how common solar power systems are in your housing market.   If solar panels are common, the real estate agent will be able to give you real statistical data that shows the difference in selling price between houses with solar power systems and those using only public utility electric service. If you can obtain this kind of data, you will have some great proof to show a potential buyer.

See This Money Saving Handyman’s Home Build Project to Off Grid Solar Power

On The Solar Panel Issue

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Earth4Energy Review

We hear about solar energy in the news almost every day. But have you ever wondered if installing solar panels on your home would be a good decision for your family? Here are a few great reasons to consider it.

This Is A Quick Instructional Video on How A Solar Panel is Made

The economic climate is finally looking up for those who want to utilize solar energy in a personal way. There are now (or will soon be) federal tax credits that can lower the cost of residential solar energy system installation by as much as thirty percent. And don’t forget about incentives that may be offered by your city or state to help people convert to solar energy. The list of government entities that offer these kinds of incentives is growing.

In addition, you will see immediate savings in the form of lower monthly electricity bills, since it will be your solar panels that will be powering your appliances during the day. And if your utility company participates in net metering, it’s possible that you could pay nothing for your electricity.  With net metering, you can sell back any excess electricity that your solar panels generate to the electric company for a credit to your account.  So when your solar panels generate a surplus during the day, the electricity that comes from the grid at night could end up being free.

This Explains How To Make A Solar Panel Easily

Solar energy is also great for the environment. It is produced in the same place where it is used, so there are no fuel transportation costs or emissions, and no plant maintenance costs. Solar energy does not contribute to global warming. There is no pollution from burning oil or coal, and it does not produce nuclear waste that will contaminate the earth for years and years. And finally, it is a great way to protect yourself and your family against the future energy price increases that experts are forecasting.

The future of this planet is of the utmost concern to many environmentalists. Solar energy now plays a key part of the methods being developed to curb the greenhouse effect around the world. You may think that your power company should offer the solutions to energy shortages. Act now! The DIY enthusiast can now obtain step-by-step instructions on how to build his own solar panels more economically. Remember that RESEARCH IS KEY, as you do not want to fork out later for mistakes that could have been avoided if this simple step were taken.

The Do-It-Yourself Guide on How To Make A Solar Panel

Buying Solar Panels – How Do I Select The Best Company?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Buying Solar Panels: How to Pick the Best Company

After you have made the decision that you are going to install solar power on your home, you need to locate a reliable company to buy them from and to install them.  But how do you find the best choice?  Here are some tips to help you choose.

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Experience matters.  If you are fortunate enough to live in a location where solar panel installation has been established, you may be able to find a company which has been in business for two or three decades.  If so, they should be able to provide ample references for you to contact.  It will also be easy to check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if they have a clean record.  

Ask them what makes they recommend and then guides on the internet|use the internet to locate some reviews of the manufacturers].   Find out what types of warranties the equipments comes with.  In addition, ask about what types of labor and workmanship warranties are offered by the contractor.  You will generally find 10-year warranties on the solar panels and 3 to 10-year warranties on inverters, pumps and controls. Workmanship should carry at least a one year warranty.

You Do Actually Reduce Your Costs By Constructing Your Own

Many Solar Power Companies specialise only in the methods that are predominantly “off-grid” and you should then figure out before you decide to employ them if you wish to continue tied to the local grid.  Yes, there are definite differences between the installation of the two systems.  But off-grid systems are much more complex than on-grid systems.  An off grid installer will most likely be very qualified to connect your system to the local power company, especially since since the person will be overseen by the local building inspectors.~There is no need to be concerned if an installer has experience only in off-grid systems and yours will be on the grid. While there are definite differences in how the two systems are installed, off-grid system installation is much more complex. So an off-grid installer will most likely be very capable of hooking up your system to the local power company. And, in any case, he or she will be monitored by the local building inspectors.}    

Membership in a professional body for alternative energy vendors might also be an indicator of professionalism.  But first determine what the requirements are to join the organization before you take it into consideration.  Memberships are not compulsory, and many only require a membership a fee.  Other organizations (such as the Solar Energies Industries Association) require continuing education and field experience in to qualify for membership.

The best referral is always word of mouth from a trusted person.  If you know of a person who has had solar panels installed recently, question that person if they were happy with the company they used.  You can also find out from a local real estate agent.  They usually know the reliable busnesses in the area.

The Best Three Home Solar Power Review


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