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Solar Panels – Lighting for the Beginner

The use of solar energy need not simply be the preserve of those wishing to spend thousands to reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint. Often overlooked, is the ability of solar power to provide reliable, cost effective power in situations and locations where mains power is unavailable or impractical.

Potential Uses for Solar Lighting

Solar power can be used to provide reliable power in remote locations throughout the year, even in the UK. There are many situations where a mains free power supply may be required. These range from recreational garden lighting through to essential remote communications and street lighting.

Solar lighting is a relatively new concept to most people and yet has huge potential to bring light to buildings where before electrical power was unavailable for either practical or economic reasons.

Solar lighting systems are ideal for stables, farm buildings, remote dwellings, garden sheds, garages, kennels, summer houses, garden studios and offices, log cabins, greenhouses, beach huts, children’s play houses, garden lighting, street lighting… the list goes on and on!

Solar Lighting Benefits

Solar lighting can be put to good use anywhere that the sun shines. The cost often compares very favourably with a new mains power connection or the installation of a generator, and in addition to this the power produced is totally silent and free.

The other great thing about solar panels is that they have no moving parts and as a result are virtually maintenance free. All they need is a bit of a clean once or twice a year to prevent a build up of dirt reducing their output. They usually have a life expectancy of in excess of 15 years and very often come with a guarantee to this effect. In addition to this they produce no polluting emissions and do not to contribute to climate change.

Solar lighting is simple and safe to use and there are complete kits available that make installation a straightforward and fast DIY job. As they run at 12 volts DC, a qualified electrician is not required and building regulations do not apply. Compared to a generator, a solar lighting kit has the added advantages of being totally silent, having minimal running and maintenance costs and is more secure. Criminals find highly portable generators all to easy to carry away and sell on.

In situations where remote buildings are used to house horses, farm animals or pets, having effective reliable lighting is essential for routine tasks such as feeding, mucking out and most importantly to aid good husbandry and care of the animals. In these situations a solar lighting system makes winter and morning tasks easier and safer to carry out. Solar lighting can also provide light for extended periods of time in the case of an emergency, for insyance if an animal is giving birth, or if an animal needs to be examined by a vet.

How Solar Lighting Works

Solar photovoltaics (Solar PV) is the process of capturing the energy from the sun and converting it into electricity. Solar lighting systems capture energy from the sun with a solar photovoltaic panel and then store it in a battery until it is required to power the lights.

There are three main types of solar panel widely available on the market today : monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. Most solar lighting systems use polycrystalline panels as these provide the best balance in terms of price and efficiency.

Using a solar lighting system needs a slight change in mindset from our usual gung-ho attitude to using mains power! The power that is taken from the battery, when the lights are switched on, needs to be replenished from the Solar Panel when the sun shines. You may have noticed that the sun doesn’t shine every day(!), so the battery is sized to ensure that there is enough power stored on a sunny day to provide power for a series of overcast days. The size of the solar panel and battery therefore, should be dictated by the estimated typical daily requirement for light and the estimated daily provision of sunshine. In general terms, the lower the requirement for power, the cheaper the system.

Most solar lighting systems use low energy lights and very often run these as at 12V rather than the usual mains 230V as this is the most efficient way to use the stored power. If 230V lighting or power is required this can be achieved with the use of an inverter that can be bought separately and easily added to the system.

Providing lighting for 2-3 hours per day in the winter and in excess of 7 hours per day is very easily achievable at a cost effective level in the UK. Extended requirements for power in the winter months can add significantly to the cost of a system, but this often still compares favourably with the cost of installing a new mains power connection. In situations where winter demand for power is high, it is often cost effective to add a small wind turbine to help with winter battery charging and to keep the cost of the total lighting system down.

The time of year has a major effect on the amount of sunshine we receive, so winter lighting requirement tends to be the starting point for designing a system.

Conclusion

Solar lighting is a practical solution to the lighting requirements of many people who have buildings that cannot be served by mains power or where the provision of mains power is prohibitively expensive. DIY kits are available that are relatively cheap and are simple to install or, for more complex situations, bespoke systems can be designed and installed.

The solar energy used does not contribute to climate change, produces no pollution, and is completely silent. Solar panels have no moving parts, so they are reliable and virtually maintenance free. And to top it all, there are no running costs, so once installed the electricity doesn’t cost you a penny.

IC endorses Chris Tyrrell who writes for Ecofreak, specialists in solar panels and other solar technologies. Visit the website for more details.

Tips Build Your Own Solar Panels for Residential Solar Energy

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.

Building your own solar panels can be a great investment saving you thousands of dollars. Start building your own solar panels save money and have some fun.

Maryland Pushes to Be National Leader in Solar Industry

In Maryland, where $18 million of the $54-million federal stimulus package is slated to spark economic recovery via alternative energy, a local delegate is pushing for a new bill in the capitol that would make solar energy more affordable to homeowners.

Sue Hecht (D – Frederick County) spoke in Annapolis recently about the bill, which – if passed – would target residential solar energy as the most promising venue to create new jobs and reduce the cost of electricity on a house-by-house basis.

The act, as proposed, would mandate that regional energy suppliers meet a certain percentage of output as solar energy credits, which would come from residential solar panels.

Several energy companies, including Pepco and Delmarva Power, oppose the measure, saying that it creates extra costs that will have to be absorbed by the power producers.

Maryland, like other states, faces an energy crisis. Customers of Baltimore Gas & Electric are facing a 72-percent increase this year. Consumer interest in solar, which spiked in the early 1970s, faded when federal and state incentives dried up in the 1980s. Now, the threat of skyrocketing energy costs, and rolling brownouts as soon as 2011, have consumers reconsidering their solar options.

In 2007, Maryland lawmakers approved an initiative that would mandate two percent of the state’s power from solar by 2022. In January of 2008, state lawmakers also designated almost $600,000 in grant money for residential and small business solar installations, and upped each grant from $3,000 to $10,000. The state has also waived sales tax on solar panels and peripheral equipment (HB670), promised not to up property taxes to reflect solar installations (SB621), and provided a venue for homeowners and businesses to sell renewable energy credits from the electricity generated by solar energy systems.

Maryland counties have also participated in aggressively pushing solar, with tax exemptions available in Anne Arundel, Harford, Montgomery and Howard counties. In the latter, participation has risen more than 400 percent in the last year alone.

A complex of bills called the Solar Energy Act fall under:

HB 700, which would allow solar thermal installations to be eligible for renewable energy credits, or RECS, which utilities would purchase and apply towards the renewable portfolio standards (RPS). HB 1236, which would establish a Maryland Clean Energy Loan Payment Program that would provide financial assistance for renewable energy or energy efficiency projects for residential projects that uses bond financing to support loans against property taxes similar to a program established in Berkeley, Ca. These low-risk loans allow homeowners to pay off the cost of solar installations on an installment basis. HB 1060, would mandate an electricity supplier like Pepco to collect renewable energy credits, or RECs, specifically from small, distributed generation solar energy to meet the Maryland’s RPS standard.

According to Malcolm Woolf, the director of the Maryland Energy Administration, these bills, if passed, would put the state in a position to become a national leader in the solar industry. Proving yet again that solar is more than the sum of its parts, and relies on the vision and enthusiasm of regional leaders to achieve parity with conventional forms of electricity.

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet’s solar energy resource page contains articles and tools such as our solar calculator to help with your solar project.

How to Make Good of Outdoor Solar Lighting Products

Outdoor solar lighting products are used for outdoor lighting applications. Outdoor solar lighting products are suitable for gardens and landscapes. They are economical and easy to install. Most outdoor lighting products are made by stainless steel lights and solar garden décors.  These products are safe and easy to use.  They do not require wiring or electricity. They contain solar collector panels that convert sun light into electricity.

Outdoor solar lighting products are easily available in the market. They provide wide selection of solar lights and solar green lights. These light equipments are most popular in UK and Ireland.  They can save energy and cost of customers. Solar panels, solar security lights, solar floodlights, car-parking lights are some common example of outdoor solar lighting products. 

Outdoor solar lighting products are available in the market with economical prices; most ecommerce websites are offering some of the best available products. Some websites provide discount and free delivery of outdoor solar lighting products. These lighting products can detect your walk area and they can be used as wall or steps lights. They are based on highest quality standards.  They can make your steps and walls classy and excellent. They are durable and reliable. They can make your steps safe and easy to use. These lighting products are organized according to their types. They are beautiful and affordable and most Outdoor solar lighting products are used in nighttime.

Outdoor solar lighting products are based on alternative source of energy and they are cheap and economical. These solar lighting products need very little technical attention this is a very good advantage of solar lighting products. ‘Most lighting products are available with solar powered outdoor lighting options. 

Outdoor solar lighting products are attractive and enjoyable.  They can save your valuable money and electricity. They need very little maintenance cost.  They need to install at appropriate location to get essential solar radiation. Solar radiation is necessary for optimal charging of batteries. Outdoor solar lighting equipments do not need wiring and electricity for installation. They collect solar energy all the day and store it in batteries without any special equipment.

Experts or sales representative will help you to select proper location to install your outdoor solar lighting equipments. They will help you to install your Outdoor solar lighting equipment in such as way that it will get sufficient solar radiation.

The amount of light get from an outdoor solar lighting product will depend on the amount of time to recharge batteries. They are available in many stores with attractive discounts. .  

Outdoor solar lighting products are used for outdoor lighting; they can make your home safe and attractive. Landscape professional will help you to select proper out door lighting equipments, this will help you to place your outdoor solar lighting equipment at proper location, and thus it will increase the attractiveness of your home and backyard.  These lighting products are cheap and durable.

Security lighting, home lighting, warehouse lighting are some of the common applications of Outdoor solar lighting products.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Outdoor Lighting For Years. For More Information on Outdoor Solar Lighting, Visit His Site at