Solar Cells from Tobacco Plants May Be a Reality Soon

As the world continues its quest to use less fossil fuels, the latest possible solution comes from the most unlikely of sources: the tobacco plant. This new discovery is based on the possibility of literally programming the cells of the plants to get solar cells from tobacco plants. More »

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Solar cells, also called photovoltaic (PV) cells by scientists, convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the PV effect. The PV effect was discovered in 1954, when scientists at Bell Telephone discovered that silicon (an element found in sand) created an electric charge when exposed to sunlight. Soon solar cells were being used to power space satellites and smaller items like calculators and watches. Today, thousands of people power their homes and businesses with individual solar PV systems. Utility companies are also using PV technology for large power stations.

Solar panels used to power homes and businesses are typically made from solar cells combined into modules that hold about 40 cells. More »

Passive Solar

Step outside on a hot and sunny summer day, and you’ll feel the power of solar heat and light. Today, many buildings are designed to take advantage of this natural resource through the use of passive solar heating and daylighting.

The south side of a building always receives the most sunlight. Therefore, buildings designed for passive solar heating usually have large, south-facing windows. Materials that absorb and store the sun’s heat can be built into the sunlit More »

Concentrating Solar Power

Many power plants today use fossil fuels as a heat source to boil water. The steam from the boiling water spins a large turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity. However, a new generation of power plants with concentrating solar power systems uses the sun as a heat source. The three main types of concentrating solar power systems are: linear concentrator, dish/engine, and power tower systems.

Linear concentrator systems collect the sun’s energy using long rectangular, curved (U-shaped) mirrors. The mirrors are tilted toward the sun, focusing sunlight on tubes (or receivers) that run the length of the mirrors. The reflected sunlight heats More »

Solar Energy Basics: Sizing Up Your System

Solar energy Basics – Sizing a Solar Electric System to Fit Your Needs

In regard to solar energy basics, the process for determining the size of your solar electric system is the opposite order of what we just went through in the previous example. First, you determine how much energy you need on a daily basis in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This data can be found on your electric bill on a monthly basis if you have one for your location.

Otherwise you will need to go through the process of estimating your energy consumption. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis, take your monthly estimate and divide by 30. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis More »

Overview of a Solar Energy Panel: Solar Energy Panels

When it comes to renewable energy technology, solar energy panels, which are known by some as photovoltaic modules, are one of the most popular. Basically a solar energy panel is the smallest unit that is replaceable within a PV array.

The panel offers support for a variety of different PV cells and the amount of electrical output will depend on the number of cells and the size of the cells, the conditions of the environment, and of course the electric interconnection of those cells.

When it comes to the output of a specific solar electric panel More »

Looking at Passive Solar House Plans – Passive Solar Energy

Ideas on using passive solar energy around your home. The article following was written by Pam, a resident of Houston Texas. She offers some great ideas in the area of passive solar house plans. She writes:

Actually, part of my system actually came from among a bunch of peanuts, the packing, not the eating kind. I have two small windows in my bedroom which were un-insulated and provided almost no usable light, but let a security light shine in my face at night. More »

Easy to Learn How to Make Solar Panels: Make Solar Panels

Learn How to make solar panels

Plenty of people have been looking into installing solar panels in an effort to combat rising energy costs. When most of these people see the prices of the professionally installed panels they realize it may not be a luxury they can afford. There is an easier, more cost efficient way to harness power from the sun and that is to learn how to build solar panels yourself.

Any motivated do-it-yourselfer can learn how to build solar panels for their home, workshop or business. When compared to the cost of purchasing and installing a pre-made solar energy system, learning how to produce solar panels for your energy More »

How to Build a Solar Panel

Here is information on how to build a solar panel. With energy resources dwindling fast and global warming changing climates across the globe, more people look towards renewable energies for reducing their carbon footprint. However, even the most environmentally passionate person cannot pursue such endeavors without the proper financial resources. The professional installation of a solar energy system can cost in the thousands, so many resourceful individuals are turning to the many great resources that help you build your own solar panel.

It is possible to completely build your own solar panel, but for the most part, these panels are small and do not produce the wattage necessary to power more than a simple lamp and only for a couple of minutes. The most effective way to produce power from the sun More »

Deciding on your Solar Energy System: Solar Energy Facts

Solar Energy Facts – Choosing the Right Sources of Renewable Electricity for Your Location

Here is an article from The Alternative Energy Store which discusses the process of choosing the proper renewable energy system for your home or business. This section will deal mostly with solar energy facts.

“Without taking into account financial incentives available by state and national governments, solar air heating, solar water heating and micro hydro electric systems have the best financial payback periods. However, in part due to rebates and people’s familiarity with solar electric and wind power systems, they are the most popular with homeowners and businesses.

Selecting what type of renewable energy to use to power your home or business is More »