Solar Power - Solar Energy Panels

Posted under environment by Seb Tennyson

The image of a large, dark-blue panel atop a rooftop supplying solar-powered electricity is now familiar. Though relatively few homes have them, thousands of magazine stories have been written over the past 30 years accompanied by photos depicting them. Because of their relative rarity, such systems have become regarded as ‘the wave of the future’, with that future always just out of reach. The sticking points are always solar energy panels cost and efficiency.

But there are dozens of cost-effective solar-panel applications available today.

A great example of solar energy is solar powered lawn lights. If you haven’t seen these they typically have stakes about a foot long with lights mounted on top of the stake. On the top of the plastic or copper light casings are small solar energy panels. Since the panels are typically small they usually don’t generate a great amount power, but not much is needed for them to do the job. Since these lights require no wires they can be quickly placed anywhere as well as moved for lawn maintenance. The nice thing is that since they use no batteries and the bulbs are ultra-long lasting they can last for years without any maintenance.

Thousands of people have used solar powered calculators for decades. What you might be unaware of, though, is that this same technology has recently been expanded to encompass laptops. Currently they don’t generate enough power to run a standard hard drive or monitor; however, solar power has been combined with new inventions to make that unnecessary, organic cells.

A standard solar cell uses layered wafers of silicon doped with phosphorus. But other elements and more complex molecules are also subject to the photoelectric effect. Many organic molecules will shoot off electrons when struck with light. They’re not currently as efficient, but they make up for it by being flexible and super cheap. They can be incorporated into certain inexpensive plastic alloys.

This technology makes it possible to create affordable keyboards and monitors that can be folded or rolled-up. This technology will make it possible to roll up a computer like a newspaper and tuck it in your pocket. When you want to use it you simply unroll it and power it up using available light.

There are yet many more applications that can be powered by a solar system. One common use is electrical fencing. Whether you need to power a dog retainer system or a cattle barrier, low voltage systems are often used to keep animals in check. A small stun doesn’t harm, but it’s often enough to keep them from wandering outside the perimeter. Many can jump over standard fencing, but electrifying the system discourages the attempt.

Powered boats, like cars, have batteries that start the engine and power small electrical devices when the motor is off. Running lights, speedometer and more. But those batteries need to be recharged after use. In the usual case, the running motor recharges the battery, putting back the power needed to start it.

Clearly, however, this doesn’t always work given the number of battery chargers that are on the market. Since electrical outlets are not in plentiful supply out in the middle of a lake it might be next to impossible to recharge a battery when the motor does not work. In these cases solar powered chargers can come to the rescue when you need them the most.

Solar powered chargers can also come in handy to recharge RV batteries as well. However, in the case of RV’s solar powered systems can be useful beyond those emergency needs.

Generator often give RV’s power when the motor has been turned off. However, generators are typically noisy and need either gasoline or diesel fuel which is messy and smelly. This might not be your ideal situation when trying to enjoy the outdoors. Solar powered systems can supply at least part of the energy needed however it can easily run a radio, a DVD and/or TV, or a small refrigerator.

The great thing is that you can rely on solar power for more than electricity. Heating your water is another popular home-oriented application for solar power.

The suns energy can be focused on small areas using small parabolic dishes. The energy can then be transmitted to a water storage system. Not all such systems are solely for inside the house either. The hot water supplied using solar energy can be used to bathe the dogs outside or provide an alternative to washing the car with cold water.

Warm water is typically better for cleaning and makes any outdoor washing chore easier. Solar heating systems provide a reservoir of warm water to wash the exterior of the windows, supply a sink in the garage and other uses around the house and garage.

Today you can find solar energy panels systems that are more efficient and inexpensive than ever. Solar panels provide independence from utility companies for all your electrical and hot water needs. That fact alone makes them a good deal.

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