Many of us will no doubt look at the various appliances we use on such a frequent basis and find some amusement from the idea that our laptops and gaming consoles could be the cause of such damage to our environment. After all, they produce no harmful emissions; no dangerous by products or chemicals…so really, what is the big deal? Is it just some sort of conspiracy by the eco-fascist brigade to spoil our fun, and derail the progress of legitimate free market economics? No. Irrespective of whether you power your appliances by means of a portable battery supply or from the mains power supply, the simple truth is that you are inflicting further harm upon the environment.

Electrical batteries and other traditional forms of power supplies for most electronic and electrical appliances have provided the powers that be with a considerable headache when it has came to the logistics of successfully disposing of them. Many politicians have opted to bury their heads in the sand along with the tonnes and tonnes of the junk by relying on that tried and tested method of landfill sites. The downside with this approach is that the electrical batteries cannot be broken down by natural means, requiring some synthetic input be it a chemical solution or an energy based reaction. What this means then is that we have mountains of these items that cannot be safely disposed of, safe for time….and the clock is continually ticking against us.

Thankfully, research has finally came to fruition and borne a remarkable new product: the solar powered battery charger. What makes this item so ideal for the current dilemma is that it is rechargeable meaning that the consumer can use the item in question for much longer periods of time which in turn reduces the need for manufacturing the chargers in the first place. This single fact in of itself means that the pollution and toxins which are an unhappy by product of the process can finally be put to rest.

To learn more about how Solar Powered Battery Chargers could not only save you money but also give you complete freedom from mains power then please visit my Solar Energy Blog.

First of all, understand that lighting devices which relies on solar power generally use a backup battery to operate. Solar cells are used to charge the battery during the day, and the battery powers the light during the night. The solar cells might be attached to the device, or might be located nearby.

This type of lighting is often used in remote locations, where conventional power sources are unavailable, and lights can not be connected to the power grid. They are also used for outdoor lighting, or as landscape lights around the home or garden.

Components of Solar Powered Lights

There are four basic components of a solar powered light. Many solar lighting systems are sold with these components already integrated, but it is good to know what the components are:

• The batteries
• The solar cells
• The lamp
• A charge controller

When purchasing solar lights, the majority of the cost involved will be for the solar cells. These are the most expensive parts of the device or system. Be sure your system is installed within some type of weatherproof housing, so that the solar cells and electrical connections will withstand the elements. Ensure that the electrical parts are protected from moisture at all times.

The charge controller is like the “brain” of a solar-powered light. It protects the batteries from overcharging, and maximizes the electrical output of your solar cell array. It also controls the duration of the light’s operation. Without a charge controller, your setup will not function properly.

Uses of Solar Powered Lights

Most solar powered lights are used to illuminate outdoor gardens and walkways. The lights are generally cordless, and you can therefore move them around easily (unlike with conventional lighting systems, where you must dig ditches and run the wires through).

One disadvantage solar lighting has, in comparison to conventional lighting, is that its stored solar power diminishes over time. That means that while the light may be strong during the first few hours of operation, it will then gradually grow dimmer as the night goes on. This might not be seen as a disadvantage by some, because most outdoor activities occur during the early evening hours. Different solar lighting systems also have different capacities, and some last longer than others.

Keep in mind that solar-powered lights depend on sunshine to operate, and their performance can thus be influenced by weather conditions. If the weather is cloudy or rainy, then there will be less battery power than there would be on a sunny day. There are also different levels of quality, where solar lights are concerned – the cheaper ones tend to be less efficient and do not last as long.

Hopefully in the near future, improvements in solar technology can make solar lighting less expensive, and more efficient, even during bad weather.

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Anna promotes and educates on the uses of clean energy and solar power. Visit her website on Solar Energy to learn more about Home Solar Power.

Or, if you are looking for solar powered lights for your own yard, patio, or garden, you can find a wide selection of solar lights at Solar Powered Lights.

Most of you may be assuming that you have to have some sort of engineering degree or be a DIY genius in order to make your own solar panels. But doesn’t have to be the case. Learning how to make solar panels is a lot easier than you think. In fact, anyone can build their own solar panels, from teenagers on up, and you can do it in a weekend. Plus, you can build your solar panels for the fraction of the cost of what a pre-made solar panel system would cost you.

The great thing about learning how to make solar panels on your own is that you have a lot more control over the size of the system. This means that you can create a highly scalable system that can fit your needs as they grow.

My number one tip before you even start your solar panel project is having a quality manual. And, don’t be surprised at how easily you’ll find the supplies you need. In fact, you’ll find most of what you’ll need at your local hardware store. I’m talking about stuff like plywood, rolls of copper wire, and sheets of glass. You can also find inexpensive photovoltaic cells for your project quite easily, either over the internet at places like eBay, or from local retailers.

It’s not going to take you very long to make your solar panels. The average, inexperienced do-it-yourselfer can make their own 100-Watt panels in about a day, provided they have all their materials at hand. 100-Watts may not sound like much, but you’ll be able to power some of your smaller appliances, or perhaps even your workshop so you’ll be able to build more solar panels and your first panel will provide all the power! Now that’s pretty neat.

But, before you begin, you must get your hands on a good, quality manual that will provide the detailed instructions you need. It should be able to teach you how to make solar panels even if you’re not very mechanically inclined. You get what you pay for so don’t skimp when you’re ready to purchase your manual.

The final cost of making your solar panels is pretty low so you can afford a quality manual. I won’t lie to you. Making your own solar panels isn’t easy, and will take a bit of effort, but with the right manual you’ll be on you’re way to learning how to make solar panels to meet all your energy needs in no time. Then sit back and relax the next time the power goes out on your block. You’ll be the only one watching TV, and heating up food in the microwave while everyone else is eating a canned dinner by candlelight.

Yes, a professionally installed solar panel systems can cost thousands. Who has money to spare in today’s economy? Make the choice to go “solar” today, and learn how to make solar panels on your own. You’ll be saving money, and the environment. For more information, visit http://renewableenergyathome.info.

* What are PVs and how do they work?

Certain materials like gallium arsenide, crystalline and amorphous silicon, and copper indium diselenide produce electricity when they absorb light. This is called the photoelectric effect. solar power systems cells are typically made of a thin layer of such photosensitive material. Light hitting the solar cell raises the energy level of the electrons within. At an elevated energy state, the electrons are able to escape from their molecules and create an electric current.

* How can you tell if your roof is a good candidate for solar cell installation?

Solar cells work best when exposed to direct sunlight. Ideally, you could put a panel of cells on a motorized mount that follows the sun’s path through the sky, but that’s usually not practical for a roof. The next best thing is a roof mounting where the pitch has an unobstructed southern exposure. Depending on your latitude and the angle of your roof’s pitch, your PV system installer may suggest optimizing the angle of your PV modules with an elevated mounting rack so that they can catch more light.

You also need to be cognizant of how much weight your roof can bear. If your roof already has two layers of shingles, you probably shouldn’t add home solar power panels to the load.

An alternative to solar panels is a relatively new product, “solar shingles”. These are shingles into which PV cells have been incorporated. If your roof needs to be replaced anyhow, solar shingles offer the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Finally, PV cells lose efficiency as the temperature rises. In warm climates, you may be better off exploring alternatives like wind-power. In places like Florida and California, public utilities are bringing solar thermal electric power plants online. Such systems, though primarily feasible only for installations much larger than the single-family home, actually turn out to be more efficient and cheaper than PV systems when it’s hot.

* What components make up a roof-mounted PV system?

PV cells output direct current, and can be connected in series to increase the output voltage. Though there are specialized appliances available that run on DC, most PV systems have the cells send electricity through an inverter. This converts the solar cells’ DC to standard household alternating current. The output from the inverter is then integrated into the house’s electric system. Smaller systems mostly just supplement power from the electric company, reducing your overall bill.

If you install a larger system and make your home very energy efficient, you may have often had a surplus of electricity. You can either store this for later in on-site batteries, or feed it back to the electric grid. If you feed your surplus back to the grid, the electric company may actually pay you. This is called “net metering”, and is the law in more than thirty-five states. It’s a good deal for you, and it’s a good deal for the electric company because your PV system is most likely to produce surplus electricity exactly when peak demand occurs. Your surplus-producing PV system could actually help avert power outages.

* How much does a PV system cost?

The initial cost of a roof-mounted solar array can range from $6,000 for a small supplementary system to $30,000 or more for a large “off-the-grid” system. The capital cost of such a home-based PV system is rather abstract, though. It would be better to compare what you are currently paying per kilowatt-hour to an amortized per kilowatt-hour cost for a PV system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, that cost is about $0.25 per kilowatt-hour. In most places, this is more than what the utilities charge.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that there are many state-sponsored incentive programs for solar energy. Take advantage of them, and you could break even. For information about these programs, you should consult the National Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), prepared by the North Carolina Solar Center. The database covers incentive programs meant to promote the development of renewable energy.

In addition, the cost of the electricity your PV system produces is insulated from deregulation, rate-hikes, and inflation — that amortized twenty-five cents per kilowatt-hour cost will still be twenty-five cents thirty years from now. Who knows what your local electric rate will be?

And there’s more good news. By going solar, you are reducing the amount of coal and natural gas burned at power plants, you are reducing the amount of carbon dioxide we pump into the atmosphere, and you are asserting your energy independence.

Putting solar cells on your roof is an idea whose time has come. Home-produced solar electricity is feasible, makes sense, and is within the reach of most homeowners.