Volts From The Sun
One hundred square miles of solar panel arrays in the southwestern U.
S.
A.
could provide all of the electricity needs of the entire country although distribution of that electricity would be tricky.
On a clear day, the sun provides as much as 1,000 watts per square meter.
The more efficient solar panel is the better we can take advantage of this energy.
You may have wondered "how do solar panels work?" When you are examining how a solar panel works you have to consider the physics of solar assemblies.
Solar panels work by using semi-conductors that absorb energy in the cell when light hits them.
This energy is released as electrons from the solar panel and generate the electric power used to power appliances, cars, homes, satellites, and other electronic devices.
Most solar panels today range from 10% to 20% efficiency.
The models used for homes are likely to be on the lower end of the spectrum.
Scientists using solar condensers and sun tracking software have generated as much as 40.
7% efficiency.
When installing solar panels on a house pay special attention to the direction the photovoltaic panels face when you are mounting your solar panel unless you have a solar tracking system.
In the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels should be south-facing if possible to achieve maximum efficiency.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true and sun panels should be north-facing.
The number of panels you need for your home depends on what you need to power with it.
Low energy appliances are on the market to help you to achieve lower amounts of electricity use.
Some equipment can be powered by DC electricity.
For instance, many portable electronics end up using a power wart to convert AC to DC.
For an even lower environmental impact, you should consider doing things like drying your clothes on a clothesline rather than in a clothes dryer.
You also need to have batteries to store the electricity you generate for night-time use and rainy days.
Unless your home runs on DC power you will also need an inverter to change the electric power from DC to AC.
If you are wondering about a more in-depth explanation of how photovoltaic panels work there are sites such as howstuffworks.
com and wikipedia.
com that will give you a more detailed analysis of how photons interact with silicon and other semi-conductors to generate the electricity that provides the power you will use.
There is also a book called Solar Power Your Home by Rik DeGuther that provides a step-by-step instruction about how to solar power your home.
Additional articles and resources about solar power can be found on the author's website and in the website newsletter.
One interesting article about solar tax incentives is especially noteworthy.
S.
A.
could provide all of the electricity needs of the entire country although distribution of that electricity would be tricky.
On a clear day, the sun provides as much as 1,000 watts per square meter.
The more efficient solar panel is the better we can take advantage of this energy.
You may have wondered "how do solar panels work?" When you are examining how a solar panel works you have to consider the physics of solar assemblies.
Solar panels work by using semi-conductors that absorb energy in the cell when light hits them.
This energy is released as electrons from the solar panel and generate the electric power used to power appliances, cars, homes, satellites, and other electronic devices.
Most solar panels today range from 10% to 20% efficiency.
The models used for homes are likely to be on the lower end of the spectrum.
Scientists using solar condensers and sun tracking software have generated as much as 40.
7% efficiency.
When installing solar panels on a house pay special attention to the direction the photovoltaic panels face when you are mounting your solar panel unless you have a solar tracking system.
In the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels should be south-facing if possible to achieve maximum efficiency.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true and sun panels should be north-facing.
The number of panels you need for your home depends on what you need to power with it.
Low energy appliances are on the market to help you to achieve lower amounts of electricity use.
Some equipment can be powered by DC electricity.
For instance, many portable electronics end up using a power wart to convert AC to DC.
For an even lower environmental impact, you should consider doing things like drying your clothes on a clothesline rather than in a clothes dryer.
You also need to have batteries to store the electricity you generate for night-time use and rainy days.
Unless your home runs on DC power you will also need an inverter to change the electric power from DC to AC.
If you are wondering about a more in-depth explanation of how photovoltaic panels work there are sites such as howstuffworks.
com and wikipedia.
com that will give you a more detailed analysis of how photons interact with silicon and other semi-conductors to generate the electricity that provides the power you will use.
There is also a book called Solar Power Your Home by Rik DeGuther that provides a step-by-step instruction about how to solar power your home.
Additional articles and resources about solar power can be found on the author's website and in the website newsletter.
One interesting article about solar tax incentives is especially noteworthy.