John Mackinnon asked:
Solar panels that capture the abundance of energy sent to us each and every day can be just the relief we need from the high cost of electricity. It almost seems like a crime to turn our backs on this wonderful gift of more free energy than we can possibly use. This is especially true today because it is possible to build your own solar panel with simple tools for less than $200. These homemade solar generators are capable of reducing household electricity costs by 50% or more.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Photons, the energetic particles found in sunlight, strike the individual solar cells and bump electrons out of place. The electrons are, in effect, pushed out of the cell and into the wires that connect all the cells together. Ideally each cell will generate about .5 volts of electrical pressure. 80 solar cells wired together in one panel should generate about 100 watts of power.
The Secret Of Making Cheap Solar Panels
The secret to making an inexpensive solar panel is in scrounging low cost or free solar cells. The lower the cost of this project the faster it will pay for itself. Using your own labor to assemble free solar cells into just one panel should pay back the original costs in just a few months. Buying a brand new pre-assembled and installed panel for over a $1000 might take 5 -10 times longer.
The Parts Of The Complete Solar Panel System
Plan A: This is the simplest system. The direct current DC electrical output from the solar panel goes to a bank of deep cycle batteries for storage. The batteries are then connected to an inverter that converts the DC Current to the kind of alternating current that most household appliances require. This is then wired to directly power a specific group of appliances completely separate from the house wiring.
Plan B: Takes the above system a step further by connecting to the electrical wiring in your house at the main fuse box. Legally, this step almost always has do be performed by a certified electrician. Some power companies will actually pay you in the form of energy credits for sending excess energy back out into the grid.
Plan C: This system works completely off the grid for homes that have no electric power coming to their home at all. The key element here is to have back-up sources of power interconnected with the solar panels for supplying power on days that there is no sun. Windmill generators and gas powered generators often serve as additional sources of power.
The Advantages Of Solar Panel Systems
Besides providing almost free electricity, solar panel systems are quiet, non-polluting, low maintenance, safe and if properly weatherproofed could last up to 50 years. They can also be a life saver if you live too far from the electric grid to economically afford to extend the transmission lines to your location.
If you tie into the electric grid, it is even possible to get paid by the power companies for any electricity generated over and above your personal needs.
The Need For A Good Plan
Despite the simplicity of a building your own solar panels, it is important to have a complete set of plans. Good plans should, at the bare minimum include the following:
1. Ideally these set of plans will originate from authors that have successfully built and used solar panels themselves. 2. The plans should give a brief background of simple electrical terms like watt, volt and amps. 3. A detailed explanation of the different types of solar cells and exactly where to find them. 4. Wiring diagrams for understanding how to wire the individual cells together. 5. How to build a protective case. 6. How to run this power into your house directly to certain appliances or to hook up to the current household wiring.
The simplicity of capturing the sun’s daily gift of free energy to reduce or even eliminate your electric bill is almost unbelievable. Equally amazing is the fact that we live in an age of abundant free and low cost used solar cells. Don’t you think that it is time to solve your own energy crisis instead of waiting for our Government or the Power Companies to fix it? Take the easy first step and grab a set of plans for building your own solar panels.
Content
Solar panels that capture the abundance of energy sent to us each and every day can be just the relief we need from the high cost of electricity. It almost seems like a crime to turn our backs on this wonderful gift of more free energy than we can possibly use. This is especially true today because it is possible to build your own solar panel with simple tools for less than $200. These homemade solar generators are capable of reducing household electricity costs by 50% or more.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Photons, the energetic particles found in sunlight, strike the individual solar cells and bump electrons out of place. The electrons are, in effect, pushed out of the cell and into the wires that connect all the cells together. Ideally each cell will generate about .5 volts of electrical pressure. 80 solar cells wired together in one panel should generate about 100 watts of power.
The Secret Of Making Cheap Solar Panels
The secret to making an inexpensive solar panel is in scrounging low cost or free solar cells. The lower the cost of this project the faster it will pay for itself. Using your own labor to assemble free solar cells into just one panel should pay back the original costs in just a few months. Buying a brand new pre-assembled and installed panel for over a $1000 might take 5 -10 times longer.
The Parts Of The Complete Solar Panel System
Plan A: This is the simplest system. The direct current DC electrical output from the solar panel goes to a bank of deep cycle batteries for storage. The batteries are then connected to an inverter that converts the DC Current to the kind of alternating current that most household appliances require. This is then wired to directly power a specific group of appliances completely separate from the house wiring.
Plan B: Takes the above system a step further by connecting to the electrical wiring in your house at the main fuse box. Legally, this step almost always has do be performed by a certified electrician. Some power companies will actually pay you in the form of energy credits for sending excess energy back out into the grid.
Plan C: This system works completely off the grid for homes that have no electric power coming to their home at all. The key element here is to have back-up sources of power interconnected with the solar panels for supplying power on days that there is no sun. Windmill generators and gas powered generators often serve as additional sources of power.
The Advantages Of Solar Panel Systems
Besides providing almost free electricity, solar panel systems are quiet, non-polluting, low maintenance, safe and if properly weatherproofed could last up to 50 years. They can also be a life saver if you live too far from the electric grid to economically afford to extend the transmission lines to your location.
If you tie into the electric grid, it is even possible to get paid by the power companies for any electricity generated over and above your personal needs.
The Need For A Good Plan
Despite the simplicity of a building your own solar panels, it is important to have a complete set of plans. Good plans should, at the bare minimum include the following:
1. Ideally these set of plans will originate from authors that have successfully built and used solar panels themselves. 2. The plans should give a brief background of simple electrical terms like watt, volt and amps. 3. A detailed explanation of the different types of solar cells and exactly where to find them. 4. Wiring diagrams for understanding how to wire the individual cells together. 5. How to build a protective case. 6. How to run this power into your house directly to certain appliances or to hook up to the current household wiring.
The simplicity of capturing the sun’s daily gift of free energy to reduce or even eliminate your electric bill is almost unbelievable. Equally amazing is the fact that we live in an age of abundant free and low cost used solar cells. Don’t you think that it is time to solve your own energy crisis instead of waiting for our Government or the Power Companies to fix it? Take the easy first step and grab a set of plans for building your own solar panels.
Content
Jason Gilford asked:
Can’t bear these soaring electricity-bills anymore? Well, “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is definitely something you should seriously examine. The first impression may not reveal that, but this technique can be implemented quite easily by any novice user. In the following quick article you’ll be able to explore and learn more about how it works.
Short overview
The ’secret’ behind this unique “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is about getting one of these special guides that walk you through each and every step on how to easily make Solar-Panels. Take your time when choosing a guide; check whether it offers the following: clear information, detailed diagrams, video tutorials, and technical support. Anyway, here are some key-advantages and tips that can help you to know a little more about this topic.
Advantages
While examining what is in it for us, we quickly find the following:
* Uses natural and clean resources.
* Enables us to store the produced elect.-power at zero cost.
* Very quick return on investment (ROI).
* It is already proven to work for thousands of people.
* One-time investment that lasts for life.
Advice
In order to optimize it, make sure to place the solar-paneling unit in a spot that gets the most sun at all times of the year.
Article summary
Many home-makers already recognized the fact that “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is a ‘must have’ for the simple reason that it truly works, and most importantly it saves up 80% on elect. expenses. It would be quite easy to find other pluses provided by this exceptional ‘machine’, simply because it is innovative. It is highly recommended to simply get it so you could enjoy from the exciting opportunities that it provides.
Content
Can’t bear these soaring electricity-bills anymore? Well, “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is definitely something you should seriously examine. The first impression may not reveal that, but this technique can be implemented quite easily by any novice user. In the following quick article you’ll be able to explore and learn more about how it works.
Short overview
The ’secret’ behind this unique “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is about getting one of these special guides that walk you through each and every step on how to easily make Solar-Panels. Take your time when choosing a guide; check whether it offers the following: clear information, detailed diagrams, video tutorials, and technical support. Anyway, here are some key-advantages and tips that can help you to know a little more about this topic.
Advantages
While examining what is in it for us, we quickly find the following:
* Uses natural and clean resources.
* Enables us to store the produced elect.-power at zero cost.
* Very quick return on investment (ROI).
* It is already proven to work for thousands of people.
* One-time investment that lasts for life.
Advice
In order to optimize it, make sure to place the solar-paneling unit in a spot that gets the most sun at all times of the year.
Article summary
Many home-makers already recognized the fact that “Creating Solar Panels Electricity” System is a ‘must have’ for the simple reason that it truly works, and most importantly it saves up 80% on elect. expenses. It would be quite easy to find other pluses provided by this exceptional ‘machine’, simply because it is innovative. It is highly recommended to simply get it so you could enjoy from the exciting opportunities that it provides.
Content
houston bruce asked:
With dwindling resources, global warming and ever increasing prices more than ever people are looking to build solar panels and wind power generators as a means for a solution. But a professional solar system or wind power system can cost into the thousands. That has turned many off on the idea as the solution. But a lot of resourceful people have began looking into “do it yourself” ways to make home made solar panels and home made wind power systems to cut cost.
With enough trial and err these individuals have found ways to build your own solar panels, but there is a lot of work and learning to o it and many of these people end up turning to solar panel kits. These build your own solar panel kits come with everything to build your solar panel in your garage or backyard and could be the best choice for most people.
Solar panel kits are very simple and can be done by almost every one. Several larger companies now sell these kits and compared to having a professionally built system are much more affordable. They include very easy instructions and everything you need to build your own solar panels. When you consider all it takes to try and gather all the parts you need from different sources you could save yourself a lot of time by going with a kit.
If you want to build your own solar panels there are a lot of guides and resources to help you. When you build your own solar panels you then have the understanding and knowledge of how it all works and if there is ever a problem you know how to repair it without having to call someone and that alone could save you a lot of money. Also building your solar panels can just be fun.
Content
With dwindling resources, global warming and ever increasing prices more than ever people are looking to build solar panels and wind power generators as a means for a solution. But a professional solar system or wind power system can cost into the thousands. That has turned many off on the idea as the solution. But a lot of resourceful people have began looking into “do it yourself” ways to make home made solar panels and home made wind power systems to cut cost.
With enough trial and err these individuals have found ways to build your own solar panels, but there is a lot of work and learning to o it and many of these people end up turning to solar panel kits. These build your own solar panel kits come with everything to build your solar panel in your garage or backyard and could be the best choice for most people.
Solar panel kits are very simple and can be done by almost every one. Several larger companies now sell these kits and compared to having a professionally built system are much more affordable. They include very easy instructions and everything you need to build your own solar panels. When you consider all it takes to try and gather all the parts you need from different sources you could save yourself a lot of time by going with a kit.
If you want to build your own solar panels there are a lot of guides and resources to help you. When you build your own solar panels you then have the understanding and knowledge of how it all works and if there is ever a problem you know how to repair it without having to call someone and that alone could save you a lot of money. Also building your solar panels can just be fun.
Content
Rajkumar asked:
Many people are interested in finding ways to cut down on their energy bills. There are some things that you can do on your own to harness the power of the sun and save a great deal of money on your monthly utility bills. In fact, you are able to build your own solar panels and begin to harness the power of the sun to make your own power. Solar power is available to anyone who wants to learn how to harness it. With a little bit of work and an initial investment you can begin enjoying a great savings on your electric bills.
To begin making your solar power, you will need a few things to get started. The solar kit that you will use will convert the energy from the sun into electric power that will power the appliances in your home. The biggest investment that you are likely to make is in the solar panels that will capture the energy from the sun. You can make these panels on your own and install them on your roof or in your yard.
There are solar panels available for you to buy, however, they can be very expensive. The most important part of your solar panel is that it is sturdy and reliable. The cost can be cut considerably if you make the solar panels on your own. A kit that will help you build your solar panels will save you a great deal of money on the cost of the panels. A purchased solar panel can cost you a few thousand dollars, but the ones that you make yourself, will only cost you under two hundred dollars.
You will also need a good guide to building the panels. There are some free guides available online, that will guide you through the process, but you might want to consider one that you purchase. Just make sure that the guide is not too difficult to follow and that there are illustrations so that you can be sure you are building the panels correctly.
Once you begin using solar energy, you will be able to enjoy some savings on your electric bill. In fact, even on a cloudy day your batteries are, indeed, charging. You will be able to store energy in the batteries and if you produce more than you use, the utility company may buy it from you. This can actually bring some money in your home while you are saving on energy.
Be sure that you do some research on the solar panel guide that you choose. It is a simple process, but the time it will take you to read through difficult instructions will make the process very frustrating. Read through some of the guide if you are able to so that you can determine how easy it is to use. The use of solar energy in your home will have a dramatic impact on your family budget. Put some money back in your pocket and harness the power of the sun.
Content
Many people are interested in finding ways to cut down on their energy bills. There are some things that you can do on your own to harness the power of the sun and save a great deal of money on your monthly utility bills. In fact, you are able to build your own solar panels and begin to harness the power of the sun to make your own power. Solar power is available to anyone who wants to learn how to harness it. With a little bit of work and an initial investment you can begin enjoying a great savings on your electric bills.
To begin making your solar power, you will need a few things to get started. The solar kit that you will use will convert the energy from the sun into electric power that will power the appliances in your home. The biggest investment that you are likely to make is in the solar panels that will capture the energy from the sun. You can make these panels on your own and install them on your roof or in your yard.
There are solar panels available for you to buy, however, they can be very expensive. The most important part of your solar panel is that it is sturdy and reliable. The cost can be cut considerably if you make the solar panels on your own. A kit that will help you build your solar panels will save you a great deal of money on the cost of the panels. A purchased solar panel can cost you a few thousand dollars, but the ones that you make yourself, will only cost you under two hundred dollars.
You will also need a good guide to building the panels. There are some free guides available online, that will guide you through the process, but you might want to consider one that you purchase. Just make sure that the guide is not too difficult to follow and that there are illustrations so that you can be sure you are building the panels correctly.
Once you begin using solar energy, you will be able to enjoy some savings on your electric bill. In fact, even on a cloudy day your batteries are, indeed, charging. You will be able to store energy in the batteries and if you produce more than you use, the utility company may buy it from you. This can actually bring some money in your home while you are saving on energy.
Be sure that you do some research on the solar panel guide that you choose. It is a simple process, but the time it will take you to read through difficult instructions will make the process very frustrating. Read through some of the guide if you are able to so that you can determine how easy it is to use. The use of solar energy in your home will have a dramatic impact on your family budget. Put some money back in your pocket and harness the power of the sun.
Content
John Mahoney asked:
Solar panels are devices made to convert solar energy into either electricity or heat. While most think of it as new technology, the basic concept has already been in use since around a hundred years ago to heat water in homes. Declared by many as one of the alternatives to oil and coal power with the most potential, the use of solar panels has been steadily gaining ground as the technology advances further.
The origins of solar panels date way back to the early 1839 when French physicist Antoine Cesar Bequerel came across the correlation of light and electricity through the photovoltaic effect in an experiment with an electrolytic cell made of two metal electrodes in an electrolyte solution. He observed that output increased when the cell was exposed to light.
Around forty-four years later, the first genuine solar panel was created by Charles Fritts. His invention was made by sheets of selenium coated with a thin layer of gold.
From then on up to mid-20th century, many experimented with the idea of solar energy. During this time, a Baltimore inventor by the name of Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar water heater. Also, Albert Einstein wrote and published a thesis on the photoelectric effect and received a Nobel Prize in Physics for his research years later. Another contribution was made by a Carnegie Steel Company employee named William Baily who invented the very first solar collector by putting copper coils in an insulated box.
Later on, while working for Bell Laboratories, American inventor Russell Ohl patented the first proper silicon solar cell in 1941. With this innovation, Bell Laboratories went on to produce the very first crystalline silicon solar panel thirteen years later. The original mass-production model’s design had 4% efficiency in energy conversion. The technology was continually improved over the years, leading to solar panels with at least 6% efficiency.
The technology went on to be used for space missions. Space satellites were one of the first things to use solar panels in practice. By this time, the US had already started to produce solar panels with 20% efficiency. Nowadays, Spectrolab and Emcore Photovoltaics lead the world in solar cell production, producing panels with 28% efficiency.
Most solar panels are made out of pure silicon, which is a semi-conductor that is ideal for channeling energy. With impurities and foreign substances removed, the silicon serves as the ideal neutral platform for transmitting electrons. As silicon’s natural state holds four electrons, it is to be understood that according to modern chemistry that it can handle four more. Once a silicon atom combines with another, they will share their electrons to form a stable molecule containing eight valence electrons and giving it a neutral charge. This concept is the basis for modern solar panels.
As an alternative source of energy, solar panels have pros and cons that come along with its implementation worldwide. It is clean and can be used at any place where there is adequate sunlight. However, that is also its drawback as you will need sunlight for it to create electricity. Also, it is still expensive as the technology as an independent power source has yet to become within reach of mainstream.
However it may be; solar panels, along with other alternatives as wind turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, and so on, do have the potential to replace conventional fossil fuels as the main source of energy. As long as research and interest on the technology remains present, it is possible
Content
Solar panels are devices made to convert solar energy into either electricity or heat. While most think of it as new technology, the basic concept has already been in use since around a hundred years ago to heat water in homes. Declared by many as one of the alternatives to oil and coal power with the most potential, the use of solar panels has been steadily gaining ground as the technology advances further.
The origins of solar panels date way back to the early 1839 when French physicist Antoine Cesar Bequerel came across the correlation of light and electricity through the photovoltaic effect in an experiment with an electrolytic cell made of two metal electrodes in an electrolyte solution. He observed that output increased when the cell was exposed to light.
Around forty-four years later, the first genuine solar panel was created by Charles Fritts. His invention was made by sheets of selenium coated with a thin layer of gold.
From then on up to mid-20th century, many experimented with the idea of solar energy. During this time, a Baltimore inventor by the name of Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar water heater. Also, Albert Einstein wrote and published a thesis on the photoelectric effect and received a Nobel Prize in Physics for his research years later. Another contribution was made by a Carnegie Steel Company employee named William Baily who invented the very first solar collector by putting copper coils in an insulated box.
Later on, while working for Bell Laboratories, American inventor Russell Ohl patented the first proper silicon solar cell in 1941. With this innovation, Bell Laboratories went on to produce the very first crystalline silicon solar panel thirteen years later. The original mass-production model’s design had 4% efficiency in energy conversion. The technology was continually improved over the years, leading to solar panels with at least 6% efficiency.
The technology went on to be used for space missions. Space satellites were one of the first things to use solar panels in practice. By this time, the US had already started to produce solar panels with 20% efficiency. Nowadays, Spectrolab and Emcore Photovoltaics lead the world in solar cell production, producing panels with 28% efficiency.
Most solar panels are made out of pure silicon, which is a semi-conductor that is ideal for channeling energy. With impurities and foreign substances removed, the silicon serves as the ideal neutral platform for transmitting electrons. As silicon’s natural state holds four electrons, it is to be understood that according to modern chemistry that it can handle four more. Once a silicon atom combines with another, they will share their electrons to form a stable molecule containing eight valence electrons and giving it a neutral charge. This concept is the basis for modern solar panels.
As an alternative source of energy, solar panels have pros and cons that come along with its implementation worldwide. It is clean and can be used at any place where there is adequate sunlight. However, that is also its drawback as you will need sunlight for it to create electricity. Also, it is still expensive as the technology as an independent power source has yet to become within reach of mainstream.
However it may be; solar panels, along with other alternatives as wind turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, and so on, do have the potential to replace conventional fossil fuels as the main source of energy. As long as research and interest on the technology remains present, it is possible
Content
Pam Eisenberg asked:
The most popular portable solar panel systems have to be the 12 volt system. Due to their sizes, they may not provide enough heat to warm your entire house, but they do offer more than enough energy to run your portable devices and recharge them. Like their much larger counterparts, they run better under direct and full exposure to the sun but obviously require more time to generate the same amount of electricity. They will also run on cloudy and rainy days, but not on indoor lighting. However, development of solar panels which work under indoor lighting is in progress and will be available to the market within an estimated 4 to 5 years.
Portable solar panels provide great convenience to people with lots of outdoor activities. They, however, need to be handled with enough care, just like any other technical devices.
1. Make sure your panel has built-in regulator.
The built-in regulator is able to control that the panel only generate the amount of energy that is required by the devices being recharged. This is a feature that all superior portable solar panels have, and it eliminates the risk of overcharging which may well destroy the device being recharged.
2. Avoid folding solar cells
In reality, portable panel systems are foldable and thus can be put into a big pocket or purse with ease. But the solar cells themselves are far from being foldable. It is exact the same case as a weight belt: it is flexible, but that’s only because the fabric they are attached to is flexible. Similarly, in case of solar panels, the fabric which holds them is foldable, thus allowing for the cells to fold with them.
Therefore, be wary of mishandling the solar panels. They may be advertised as being durable, hardy and waterproof, but under no circumstances should you fold the cells themselves, or pierce or poke them with anything sharp.
3. Do not use your panel to charge a regular battery
This may sound too obvious, but many people are still doing it. So, bear in mind that your panel only works for rechargeable batteries.
4. Buy customized connector for your panel
Equipment for connections should be bought separately as they aren’t provided. The recharging plugs in your devices should have customized connectors for them.
5. “Trickle charge” your car to make sure its battery is full
In case you plan to trickle charge your car, or snowmobile battery or boat, battery clips are essential. The portable solar panel is to be situated in such a place so that it gets the maximum amount of sunlight, after which it is to be plugged in to the cigarette lighter socket or the clips are to be attached to the battery. This really comes in handy when the temperature is really low, and you need to keep your car parked for indefinite periods of time.
Compared to grid electricity and the likes, portable solar panels are an expensive alternative, but they are very useful if you camp outside for long intervals of time, or like hiking or working inside your car. In addition, they are invaluable as backup systems during power failures.
Create a video blog…instantly.
The most popular portable solar panel systems have to be the 12 volt system. Due to their sizes, they may not provide enough heat to warm your entire house, but they do offer more than enough energy to run your portable devices and recharge them. Like their much larger counterparts, they run better under direct and full exposure to the sun but obviously require more time to generate the same amount of electricity. They will also run on cloudy and rainy days, but not on indoor lighting. However, development of solar panels which work under indoor lighting is in progress and will be available to the market within an estimated 4 to 5 years.
Portable solar panels provide great convenience to people with lots of outdoor activities. They, however, need to be handled with enough care, just like any other technical devices.
1. Make sure your panel has built-in regulator.
The built-in regulator is able to control that the panel only generate the amount of energy that is required by the devices being recharged. This is a feature that all superior portable solar panels have, and it eliminates the risk of overcharging which may well destroy the device being recharged.
2. Avoid folding solar cells
In reality, portable panel systems are foldable and thus can be put into a big pocket or purse with ease. But the solar cells themselves are far from being foldable. It is exact the same case as a weight belt: it is flexible, but that’s only because the fabric they are attached to is flexible. Similarly, in case of solar panels, the fabric which holds them is foldable, thus allowing for the cells to fold with them.
Therefore, be wary of mishandling the solar panels. They may be advertised as being durable, hardy and waterproof, but under no circumstances should you fold the cells themselves, or pierce or poke them with anything sharp.
3. Do not use your panel to charge a regular battery
This may sound too obvious, but many people are still doing it. So, bear in mind that your panel only works for rechargeable batteries.
4. Buy customized connector for your panel
Equipment for connections should be bought separately as they aren’t provided. The recharging plugs in your devices should have customized connectors for them.
5. “Trickle charge” your car to make sure its battery is full
In case you plan to trickle charge your car, or snowmobile battery or boat, battery clips are essential. The portable solar panel is to be situated in such a place so that it gets the maximum amount of sunlight, after which it is to be plugged in to the cigarette lighter socket or the clips are to be attached to the battery. This really comes in handy when the temperature is really low, and you need to keep your car parked for indefinite periods of time.
Compared to grid electricity and the likes, portable solar panels are an expensive alternative, but they are very useful if you camp outside for long intervals of time, or like hiking or working inside your car. In addition, they are invaluable as backup systems during power failures.
Create a video blog…instantly.
Tim Mcdonald asked:
With our current economic melt down and energy prices fluctuating daily, many of us are thinking of installing solar panel power to contribute to our homes’ energy needs, and reduce our power bills.
But how much solar panel watt power do we need to say halve our power bills? And how much will that power cost us to install?
Here is a four step process that you can follow to answer these two vital questions:
1 – Calculate Daily Power Used:
To do this, get your last 12 monthly power bills and calculate your average kilowatt hour (kWh) usage per month. The reason we use 12 is because our power consumption fluctuates with the seasons. But if you do not have all your power bills, then simply use last month’s one.
Then divide your monthly usage by 30 (the average number of days in a month, to get your daily power used.
- So for example: If you have a monthly power consumption of 800 kWh, then your daily amount is 800/30= 26.7 kWh per day.
- Now if you want to only halve your power bill then you need to produce 26.7 / 2 = 13.4 kWh of solar panel watt power per day.
2 – Calculate Total Solar Panel Watt Needs:
To do this, you first need to determine how many usable hours of sunlight your area receives per day. This is where a solar insolation map comes in handy – you can view one from our original article on our website.
Once you know your daily sunlight hours, go back to your daily kilowatt hours needed and divide it by the daily sunlight hours, then multiply it by a factor of 1.25 (takes into account energy losses from the solar panel watt wiring, battery , and inverter)
- Continuing from our example: Our solar panel watt needs equal:
13.4 kWh / 5.5hrs x 1.25 = 3.045 kW or 3045 Watts per day.
This means we need solar panels with the capacity to produce at least 3045 Watts of power.
3 – Calculate Solar Panel Watt Costs:
This step will help you work out the cost of the solar panels needed to make 3045 Watts of power. At the moment the highest average cost for solar panels in the US is $4.85 per Watt.
- In our example: It will cost us at the most 3045 x 4.85 = $14,768 to install solar panels to halve our power bill. And that’s before wiring, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and electrician costs.
4 – Offset Tax Credits And Rebates:
Before we jump the gun and think it will cost us at least $14,768 for 3045 Watts of solar panel watt power, we need to take tax incentives and rebates in account.
With the new renewable energy tax credits going into effect from January 1, 2009, and state-side rebates from states such as New York, Connecticut, New Jersey or California, our solar installation costs will be much lower than expected.
- Let’s use our example: If we were from California we would receive tax rebates of about 20% of the cost, and a federal tax credit of 40% on the remainder. So after rebates and credits, our solar panels would cost us:
$14,768 – $14,768 x (20%) – $14,768 x (1 – 20%) x 40% => $7,089.
Since there are many factors that go into calculating your solar panel watt costs, please only use our steps as a rough estimate. Some things were impossible for us to take into account, such as special offers by solar installation companies, where they offer you discounts on the full installation (including charge controller, inverter, battery, grid-tie electrician costs, etc).
Anyway, from what you can see it would cost us around $7,089 to buy enough solar panels to halve our power bill. We, instead, either get our solar cells at cost or source them for free, and wire up our own solar panels, which obviously saved us a lot of money. The good news is, anyone can learn to find cheap solar cells and make their own solar panel watt power.
Content
With our current economic melt down and energy prices fluctuating daily, many of us are thinking of installing solar panel power to contribute to our homes’ energy needs, and reduce our power bills.
But how much solar panel watt power do we need to say halve our power bills? And how much will that power cost us to install?
Here is a four step process that you can follow to answer these two vital questions:
1 – Calculate Daily Power Used:
To do this, get your last 12 monthly power bills and calculate your average kilowatt hour (kWh) usage per month. The reason we use 12 is because our power consumption fluctuates with the seasons. But if you do not have all your power bills, then simply use last month’s one.
Then divide your monthly usage by 30 (the average number of days in a month, to get your daily power used.
- So for example: If you have a monthly power consumption of 800 kWh, then your daily amount is 800/30= 26.7 kWh per day.
- Now if you want to only halve your power bill then you need to produce 26.7 / 2 = 13.4 kWh of solar panel watt power per day.
2 – Calculate Total Solar Panel Watt Needs:
To do this, you first need to determine how many usable hours of sunlight your area receives per day. This is where a solar insolation map comes in handy – you can view one from our original article on our website.
Once you know your daily sunlight hours, go back to your daily kilowatt hours needed and divide it by the daily sunlight hours, then multiply it by a factor of 1.25 (takes into account energy losses from the solar panel watt wiring, battery , and inverter)
- Continuing from our example: Our solar panel watt needs equal:
13.4 kWh / 5.5hrs x 1.25 = 3.045 kW or 3045 Watts per day.
This means we need solar panels with the capacity to produce at least 3045 Watts of power.
3 – Calculate Solar Panel Watt Costs:
This step will help you work out the cost of the solar panels needed to make 3045 Watts of power. At the moment the highest average cost for solar panels in the US is $4.85 per Watt.
- In our example: It will cost us at the most 3045 x 4.85 = $14,768 to install solar panels to halve our power bill. And that’s before wiring, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and electrician costs.
4 – Offset Tax Credits And Rebates:
Before we jump the gun and think it will cost us at least $14,768 for 3045 Watts of solar panel watt power, we need to take tax incentives and rebates in account.
With the new renewable energy tax credits going into effect from January 1, 2009, and state-side rebates from states such as New York, Connecticut, New Jersey or California, our solar installation costs will be much lower than expected.
- Let’s use our example: If we were from California we would receive tax rebates of about 20% of the cost, and a federal tax credit of 40% on the remainder. So after rebates and credits, our solar panels would cost us:
$14,768 – $14,768 x (20%) – $14,768 x (1 – 20%) x 40% => $7,089.
Since there are many factors that go into calculating your solar panel watt costs, please only use our steps as a rough estimate. Some things were impossible for us to take into account, such as special offers by solar installation companies, where they offer you discounts on the full installation (including charge controller, inverter, battery, grid-tie electrician costs, etc).
Anyway, from what you can see it would cost us around $7,089 to buy enough solar panels to halve our power bill. We, instead, either get our solar cells at cost or source them for free, and wire up our own solar panels, which obviously saved us a lot of money. The good news is, anyone can learn to find cheap solar cells and make their own solar panel watt power.
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Roberto Luongo asked:
The increasing cost of organic fuel and its hazardous effect on environment are opening the door for the massive usage of alternative energy sources. Organic fuel is exhaustible in nature and the the whole globe is worried regarding what will happen when they are exhausted. The most viable solution for this situation is to use renewable energy sources like sun, wind and tide to reduce the dependence on organic fuel. With the help of solar panel, you can convert the sunlight into energy to meet your daily energy requirements like heating water and production of electricity.
Solar panels can be installed on the roof of your house and connected to the in-house heating system. Solar panels when designed to heat water only are known as thermal solar systems. The collector of this system is capable of absorbing solar radiation and converting it into heat. After it, the process of heat conduction is done to transfer the heat from the collector to the water tank.
Photovoltaic systems are the solar panels capable of producing electricity. In case of photovotaic solar systems, an electrical field is created by placing a positively charged layer of silicon against a negatively charged layer of silicon. When sunshine falls on this field, electric charge is created. Then with the help of conductors, this charge is conducted to power household appliances.
There are many advantages of installing solar panel. This offers you the access to free and clean source of energy. You can check the environment pollution and reduce your fuel and electricity bills. Now, some of the states in US are offering incentives on solar panel installation. Estimates show that solar panels, within five years of installation are capable of covering the investment on it. It is definitely a wise investment if you are planning to stay in your home for a longer period.
Create a video blog…instantly.
The increasing cost of organic fuel and its hazardous effect on environment are opening the door for the massive usage of alternative energy sources. Organic fuel is exhaustible in nature and the the whole globe is worried regarding what will happen when they are exhausted. The most viable solution for this situation is to use renewable energy sources like sun, wind and tide to reduce the dependence on organic fuel. With the help of solar panel, you can convert the sunlight into energy to meet your daily energy requirements like heating water and production of electricity.
Solar panels can be installed on the roof of your house and connected to the in-house heating system. Solar panels when designed to heat water only are known as thermal solar systems. The collector of this system is capable of absorbing solar radiation and converting it into heat. After it, the process of heat conduction is done to transfer the heat from the collector to the water tank.
Photovoltaic systems are the solar panels capable of producing electricity. In case of photovotaic solar systems, an electrical field is created by placing a positively charged layer of silicon against a negatively charged layer of silicon. When sunshine falls on this field, electric charge is created. Then with the help of conductors, this charge is conducted to power household appliances.
There are many advantages of installing solar panel. This offers you the access to free and clean source of energy. You can check the environment pollution and reduce your fuel and electricity bills. Now, some of the states in US are offering incentives on solar panel installation. Estimates show that solar panels, within five years of installation are capable of covering the investment on it. It is definitely a wise investment if you are planning to stay in your home for a longer period.
Create a video blog…instantly.
Jon Kelly asked:
Shopping For Thin Film Solar Panels
There are a wide array of choices when it comes to choosing solar panels. Homeowners looking to purchase panels have many types to choose from, and one of the most popular and widely used is currently thin film solar panels. These solar panels are being frequently used because of their versatility. They can be placed in a large variety of locations, and they are often more durable than other types. Thin film solar panels tend to have less breakage and wear than other rigid models.
Thin Film Solar Panels Options
If you are shopping for a good quality thin film solar panels at an affordable price, there are a few flexible solar panel models that you should research. One of these might be the best choice for your home. The current leader in lightweight, thin film solar panels is currently the PowerFilm 20 Wall Rollable Solar Panel. This creative and unique panel is a great option for many consumers.
These panels are completely unlike any of the current competition. The integrated thin film solar panels are produced with a unique roll-to-roll process, which results in a truly roll-able panel that is one of a kind. They perform well in most conditions and are ready to connect up to batteries. There are also many accessories offered for the PowerFilm 20 Wall Rollable Solar Panel, so you have more options depending on your needs.
Another great choice is the ICP PowerFlex flexible solar panel. They are powerful enough to charge anything from RV batteries to field electronics, but they are so lightweight and easy to transport that you can take them with you wherever you go. Transportable panels need to be durable, and this brand delivers. The solar cells in these thin film solar panels incorporate technologies developed by NASA and the military to create a design that is both innovative and difficult to damage.
You will have a choice of 5, 10, and 20 watt thin film solar panels, which all roll into a convenient storage tube for transport. Moving these thin film solar panels from one location to the next is a breeze. All models will also come with reinforced corner brackets. This allows you to transport them without worrying they will break.
When you decide to shop for a thin film solar panel, look for the one that will suit your needs the best. What will you be charging and what kind of energy requirements does the device have? If you can picture what situations you will most often be using your panels, you can decide how best to put them to use. Thin film solar panels often come at affordable prices, although you may not want that to be your top priority. Getting a slightly higher quality or wattage model may allow you more flexibility and a longer life. Solar panels are an item that you will want to last, so purchase the best that you can afford.
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Shopping For Thin Film Solar Panels
There are a wide array of choices when it comes to choosing solar panels. Homeowners looking to purchase panels have many types to choose from, and one of the most popular and widely used is currently thin film solar panels. These solar panels are being frequently used because of their versatility. They can be placed in a large variety of locations, and they are often more durable than other types. Thin film solar panels tend to have less breakage and wear than other rigid models.
Thin Film Solar Panels Options
If you are shopping for a good quality thin film solar panels at an affordable price, there are a few flexible solar panel models that you should research. One of these might be the best choice for your home. The current leader in lightweight, thin film solar panels is currently the PowerFilm 20 Wall Rollable Solar Panel. This creative and unique panel is a great option for many consumers.
These panels are completely unlike any of the current competition. The integrated thin film solar panels are produced with a unique roll-to-roll process, which results in a truly roll-able panel that is one of a kind. They perform well in most conditions and are ready to connect up to batteries. There are also many accessories offered for the PowerFilm 20 Wall Rollable Solar Panel, so you have more options depending on your needs.
Another great choice is the ICP PowerFlex flexible solar panel. They are powerful enough to charge anything from RV batteries to field electronics, but they are so lightweight and easy to transport that you can take them with you wherever you go. Transportable panels need to be durable, and this brand delivers. The solar cells in these thin film solar panels incorporate technologies developed by NASA and the military to create a design that is both innovative and difficult to damage.
You will have a choice of 5, 10, and 20 watt thin film solar panels, which all roll into a convenient storage tube for transport. Moving these thin film solar panels from one location to the next is a breeze. All models will also come with reinforced corner brackets. This allows you to transport them without worrying they will break.
When you decide to shop for a thin film solar panel, look for the one that will suit your needs the best. What will you be charging and what kind of energy requirements does the device have? If you can picture what situations you will most often be using your panels, you can decide how best to put them to use. Thin film solar panels often come at affordable prices, although you may not want that to be your top priority. Getting a slightly higher quality or wattage model may allow you more flexibility and a longer life. Solar panels are an item that you will want to last, so purchase the best that you can afford.
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Linda Allen asked:
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. The science behind this conversion is known as photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic Cells or solar cells as they are more commonly referred to are the major components of any residential solar power system.
Photovoltaic (PV) produces electricity directly from the electrons that are freed when sunlight hits the surface of the PV cell and interacts with the semiconductor material in the PV cell. These cells are wired together to form a PV module, which is the smallest PV component sold commercially. The PV modules range in power from 10 watts to 300 watts.
The raw material for the solar panel is silica (sand). The manufacturing process removes all of the impurities and defects, and results in a solar-grade silica feed stock. From there the silica is coated with Boron or Phosphorus to tweak the frequencies of light silica responds to.
When sunlight hits the solar cell with enough energy the photons in the light knock electrons free in the silicon crystalline structure forcing them through an external circuit or Direct DC Load and then returning them to the other side of the Solar Panel to start the process all over again (thus the renewal source).
The flow of freed electrons results in a voltage output of approximately 0.5v per single crystalline solar cell. The Amperage output is directly proportional to the cells surface area – about 7amps for a 6 inch square solar cell. Typically you will see 30 to 36 cells wired in series or in parallel with other solar modules to from a complete solar array to charge your battery bank, within your solar power system.
The PV module produces direct current (DC) but your home uses alternating current (AC). Therefore, solar panels require that we include a converter in the system to convert the DC current to AC current. This is accomplished with an inverter, a special piece of equipment that converts or changes DC electricity to AC.
Once the solar array (the collection of solar panels wired together in your solar power system) starts producing electricity you can use the electrical power, store it for later use or sell it back to your local utility if your system is connected to the grid. Selling back to the utility is referred to net-metering.
As more and more homes convert to solar power we can expect to see major improvements in the efficiency of solar cells just as we experienced improvements in gas mileage in cars with carburetors, fuel injection, etc.
In order to store the unused electricity for later use, you will need to incorporate batteries into the solar power system. These batteries serve the same purpose as the batteries in a car. Every time you start your car, the ignition is utilizing the stored electrical power in the battery to turn over the starter motor. Have you ever tried to start your car and nothing happens? If the starter is working properly, you know that the battery is dead and there is no electrical current available to power the starter which in turn starts the motor.
Solar batteries store the excess PV electricity until it is needed at a later time to run your appliance or the lights, etc. Once the batteries are fully charged you need to turn off any incoming power or they will be damaged. The solar batteries are DC just as the battery in your car. This means the batteries will be installed in your solar system between the Photovoltaic Cells and the inverter.
Note: You will be better off purchasing the best deep cycle batteries you can afford. Industrial deep cycle batteries can cost $200 each, but have a life expectancy of 5-8 years. Your car battery will only last 1 year in deep cycle applications.
It is worth noting that even though lead acid batteries are not environmentally friendly; the alternative of relying on fossil fuels is a poorer choice.
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Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. The science behind this conversion is known as photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic Cells or solar cells as they are more commonly referred to are the major components of any residential solar power system.
Photovoltaic (PV) produces electricity directly from the electrons that are freed when sunlight hits the surface of the PV cell and interacts with the semiconductor material in the PV cell. These cells are wired together to form a PV module, which is the smallest PV component sold commercially. The PV modules range in power from 10 watts to 300 watts.
The raw material for the solar panel is silica (sand). The manufacturing process removes all of the impurities and defects, and results in a solar-grade silica feed stock. From there the silica is coated with Boron or Phosphorus to tweak the frequencies of light silica responds to.
When sunlight hits the solar cell with enough energy the photons in the light knock electrons free in the silicon crystalline structure forcing them through an external circuit or Direct DC Load and then returning them to the other side of the Solar Panel to start the process all over again (thus the renewal source).
The flow of freed electrons results in a voltage output of approximately 0.5v per single crystalline solar cell. The Amperage output is directly proportional to the cells surface area – about 7amps for a 6 inch square solar cell. Typically you will see 30 to 36 cells wired in series or in parallel with other solar modules to from a complete solar array to charge your battery bank, within your solar power system.
The PV module produces direct current (DC) but your home uses alternating current (AC). Therefore, solar panels require that we include a converter in the system to convert the DC current to AC current. This is accomplished with an inverter, a special piece of equipment that converts or changes DC electricity to AC.
Once the solar array (the collection of solar panels wired together in your solar power system) starts producing electricity you can use the electrical power, store it for later use or sell it back to your local utility if your system is connected to the grid. Selling back to the utility is referred to net-metering.
As more and more homes convert to solar power we can expect to see major improvements in the efficiency of solar cells just as we experienced improvements in gas mileage in cars with carburetors, fuel injection, etc.
In order to store the unused electricity for later use, you will need to incorporate batteries into the solar power system. These batteries serve the same purpose as the batteries in a car. Every time you start your car, the ignition is utilizing the stored electrical power in the battery to turn over the starter motor. Have you ever tried to start your car and nothing happens? If the starter is working properly, you know that the battery is dead and there is no electrical current available to power the starter which in turn starts the motor.
Solar batteries store the excess PV electricity until it is needed at a later time to run your appliance or the lights, etc. Once the batteries are fully charged you need to turn off any incoming power or they will be damaged. The solar batteries are DC just as the battery in your car. This means the batteries will be installed in your solar system between the Photovoltaic Cells and the inverter.
Note: You will be better off purchasing the best deep cycle batteries you can afford. Industrial deep cycle batteries can cost $200 each, but have a life expectancy of 5-8 years. Your car battery will only last 1 year in deep cycle applications.
It is worth noting that even though lead acid batteries are not environmentally friendly; the alternative of relying on fossil fuels is a poorer choice.
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