Showing posts with label Solar Panels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solar Panels. Show all posts

Monday, 20 October 2008

Alternative-Energy-Why-Alternative?




Alternative Energy, Why do we address it as Alternative?

The sun is something that has been used for it's energy for much longer than modern day man has walked our planet, cold bloodied animals have used it to warm their blood, plant life uses Photosynthesis to produce energy to grow and humans use it to keep warm.

Why is it then that we see Solar energy as an Alternative Energy Source?

Solar energy is responsible for our global weather, the wind, the rain both rely on the solar energy to drive our weather patterns across the planet.

Currently our technology for creating energy from the sun (Solar Photo Voltaic) is primitive, we are achieving somewhere in the region of 20% efficiency, I believe with better funded research and time we will be able to extract much more power in the form of DC Electricity, maybe nearer to 70% I would imagine this will make Solar PV installations much more common place.

Whilst the Sun shines and the wind blows we should strive to harness our energy needs from these sources, learn to minimise our waste of heat and power and become much more energy efficient.

We can do it, we all just need educating on how to tackle our individual power requirements before we are beyond the point of no return.

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Learn-About-Solar-Panels-PV-Modules


Solar-Electric Panels AKA: solar-electric modules, photovoltaic (PV) panels

PV arrays can increase the system’s daily energy output by 25 to 40 percent. PV panels are a solar-electric system’s defining component, where sunlight is used to make direct current (DC) electricity. Behind a PV panel’s shimmering facade, wafers of semiconductor material work their magic,using light (photons) to generate electricity—what’s known as the photovoltaic effect.Other components in your system enable the electricity from your solar-electric panels to safely power your electric loads like lights,computers, and refrigerators.

PV panels are assigned a rating in watts based on the maximum power they can produce under ideal sun and temperature conditions.You can use the rated output to help determine how many panels you’ll need to meet your electrical needs. Multiple modules combined together are called an array.Although rigid panels are the most common form of solar electricity collector, PV technology also has been integrated into roofing shingles and tiles, and even peel and-stick laminates (for metal standing-seam roofs). PV modules are very durable and long lasting

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Wood-Forge-Project-Going-Ahead


Previously I have mentioned a wonderful little project to supply off grid power to a Metal Casting Wood Forge Down the far south of England.

The new 140W Panel arrived today from the manufacturers. I am extremely impressed with the Solar PV Panels construction. Open circuit is 21.8V and will charge 2 x deep cycle SLA batteries at 12V. The Pure Sine Wave Inverter arrived late last week so I am currently contstructing the sub frame for the panel to be mounted on.

I'll be posting some pictures of the setup once it is installed at the forge some time soon.

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

The-Green-Guide-National-Geographic-Society


I stumbled on a great site 'The Green Guide' owned and run by 'The National Geographic Society'

It covers many Green Topics including, Carbon Neutral Products, Green Issues (Of Course) Green Travel, Green Living and much more.

Their website is http://www.thegreenguide.com/

Don't forget to visit the homebrewpower Forum, it's free, it covers tons of subjects about Carbon Neutral Power Generation (Wind Turbines, Solar, CHP, MCHP, WVO & WMO Burners & many other interesting topic's)

It is brand new, free to join and specifically for like minded people.

Andy Mahoney
http://www.homebrewpower.co.uk