Residential Solar Panels – The Basics
By Les Goss

These days it seems like everyone is talking about finding ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lower our energy bills, and cut back on our carbon emissions. One of the solutions gaining renewed interest is small-scale solar power for our homes. Before you make the choice to install solar panels, it’s a excellent thought to learn some of the basic information regarding residential solar panels and how they connect to your existing system.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight to electric current. There are many current applications you’re familiar with, such as calculators and wristwatches that use similar technology on a smaller scale. More complicated systems provide power for communications satellites, water pumps, and the lights, appliances, and machines in homes and workplaces. Many road and traffic signs along highways are now powered by PV.

While solar thermal systems use heat from the sun to heat water or air, PV does not use the sun’s heat to make electricity. PV systems produce some electric current any time the sun is bright, but more power is produced when rays of sunlight are perpendicular to the PV panels.  Electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in PV cells make an electric current.

Types of Residential PV Systems

If you are considering adding a PV system to your current home, you should know that it can be metered in such a way as to allow you to get credit for electric energy produced by your PV system.  Currently, 42 states plus the District of Columbia have net-metering regulations that may allow you to sell the extra power you produce back to the utility company. In effect, net-metered PV systems use the existing utility grid as storage. Before you buy or install any solar power generation equipment to be net metered, you should call your electric utility service provider, and find out from them all of the utility requirements and rules for installing and interconnecting a generator.

PV systems that are not connected to the utility grid are called remote, stand-alone, or off-grid systems. In remote areas where existing utility lines are a considerable distance away, PV is often the least expensive way to provide electricity to a building.

Off-grid systems have the same components as grid-connected systems, except that they need storage batteries to supply electricity when the sun is not bright, and do not need an inverter to tie into the grid. Also, off-grid PV systems may need additional components such as an auxiliary generator, or even a wind turbine.

How Residential Solar Panels Work

The material that converts solar energy into electricity is called a semiconductor. There are two types, one of which has a positive electrical charge, and the other a negative charge. When the two are placed together, an electrical current is produced, much like a battery with its positive and negative poles.

The device that holds these semiconductors together is called a PV cell. Cells produce electricity through a process called the photoelectric effect. The sunlight that is absorbed in the cell transfers its energy to the electrons in the cell’s atoms. This extra energy knocks some electrons out of their normal position, and they join the flow in the electrical circuit.

PV cells typically provide just 0.5 to 2 watts, so they are joined in series or parallel strings to form modules that produce up to 300 watts. Connecting in parallel boosts the current, while a series connection will increase the voltage. Modules are then connected together into larger structures called arrays. The more modules you string together, the larger the array, and the more electricity you can produce.

Les Goss is a teacher helping homeowners learn more about alternative energy sources for their homes. He invites you to learn more about residential solar panels at [http://cheapsolarpanelsnow.com]http://cheapsolarpanelsnow.com. He also has an informative blog at [http://homepowersystemsblog.com]http://homepowersystemsblog.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Les_Goss http://EzineArticles.com/?Residential-Solar-Panels—The-Basics&id=2981296

Provides bright light and helps provide a better sense of security around the house and garden. Features Dual 5 white LED lamps (10 total LED) with PIR (passive infra-red) motion sensors. Illuminates when PIR detects movements. Each individual lamp can swivel up and down or side to side. Programmable timer allows you to set light to illuminate period from 0 seconds to 2 minutes. Provides over 500 operations when timer is set at 30 seconds when rechargeable battery pack is fully charged. Solar panel can be used remotely via 15 ft. cable or clipped into mounting bracket. Product Dimensions – 8″ W x 9.8″ H

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Meanwhile ancient school large scale solar powered generators continue to work in other part of the world.

Duration : 0:9:39

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As small as four hours of direct sun on this flashlight’s built-in solar panel provide all the power its three ultra-bright lifetime LEDs need to shine for more than eight hours. Shock- and water-resistant housing has a momentary blink switch that can be used instead of the steady-on setting whenever you need to preserve your night vision. 7″”L x 1″”D. China.

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Duration : 0:4:20

Technorati Tags: Chromagen, Infinergy, solar heating, solar hot water

Duration : 0:7:35

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Caleffi iSolar multi-functional temperature differential controller with add-on system functions, the iSolar series can be used for a wide variety of applications and has inputs for four PT1000 sensors. Preset factory defaults are defined for control of a standard solar water heating system with a second relay (some models) to divert any surplus heat. The auxiliary relay can be used to maintain the tank temperature, protect the system from overheating, or use another source to heat the storage tank. Caleffi iSolar – Electronic Differential Temperature Control Unit with optional add-on system functions. Capable of Managing one Collector Fields or one DHW storage tanks. Operating hours counter for solar pump, tube collector special function, as well as heat quantity balancing. Features and Benefits of the Caleffi iSolar – Solar Control Unit : System-monitoring-show. Up to 4 temperature sensors Pt1000 9 basic systems selectable. Heat balancing. Function control. Thermostat function (time controlled). Parameterisation and control of the system by Service Center; Software is possible. User-friendly operation by simple handling. Solar operating hours counter and thermostat function optionally. VBus. Mounting: wall mounting, mounting into patch-panels is possible. Show: System screen for systems visualisation, 16-segment show, 8 symbols for system status and operating control lamp. Operation: by 3 pushbuttons in the front of the housing. Factory tested. Product Warranty 2 Years Warranty

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Duration : 0:2:27

Technorati Tags: black, DHW system, flat-plat, glass, hot water, panel, solar

FACT: If we want to avoid catastrophic war, suffering, and global shortages of energy, we need to start looking to space seriously for solutions.

Space Based Solar Power is the first step.

Music – “Pulse” by Yoko Kanno

www.energyfromspace.org

Duration : 0:4:29

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Solar SLR-25 Sport Tank Bag – Nelson-Rigg Solar SLR-25 Sport Tank Bag Solar charging system for most mobile phones MP3 players iPhone iTouch digital cameras and GPS Navigation Connectors for most Apple Nokia Samsung Motorola PSP and Sony Ericsson devices Includes secure 4-point strap mounting system with an optional magnetic mount Can be also used as a tail pack with optional mounting kit Removable solar bag with shoulder strap Expandable main compartment Optional map pocket included Top quality UV-treated Tri-Max? ballistic nylon Highly reflective accents Lined interior Maintains its shape even when empty Fail safe heavy-duty zippers with pull fobs Protective material to hold the bag firm without slipping or marking bike 100 waterproof rainstorm cover Lifetime No Hassle warranty Includes one solar panel one battery pack and device connectors Main compartment measures: 12L X 8W X 6H Standard 12L X 8W X 10H Expanded Holds 9.44 Liters 15.73 Liters expanded PATENT PENDING

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