Renewable Power

Small-scale solar panel applications

Solar power (also known as photovoltaics) is one of the most valuable forms of energy due to its sheer abundance and relative ease of implementation. However, many people dismiss the use of solar power because of a preconceived notion that it’s all (expensive solar arrays mounted on the roof, backup battery system, power converters) or nothing. While this is an application of solar power, it is most certainly not the only one.

In fact, there are many small-scale applications that the average person can easily implement for a relatively low cost. Electronics charger dock Probably the most widely applicable usage of solar power is charging electronic devices. There are products available that provide a dock for multiple devices, such as a cell phone, mp3 player, and PDA, to connect to and recharge. However, there are now solar power versions of similar products on the market. Just place the dock on a window sill and plug in your devices. It may seem like an insignificant amount of power to save, but since these devices are generally charged every day, the power consumption adds up.

These chargers (both the electrical and solar power versions) are generally attained at around the $100 mark. That figure might scare some people away, but over time, through conserved power costs, it really pays for itself. However, with a bit of electronic know-how, a do-it-yourself version can be made for a fraction of the cost. Just purchase a few solar cells and solder them to adapters that hook into the devices in question. It won’t be as fancy as the commercial product, but the effect is the same. Garden lights Lights are often used for indoor and outdoor gardens.

The indoor variety are often heat lamps or incandescent lights used for actual maintenance of the plants, whereas outdoor lights are often just for aesthetic purposes (or to prevent after-dark stumbling). Solar panels work well for both applications. For internal usage, the principle is much the same as the electronics charger dock: place the solar panel in a window sill and connect the light to it. I have not personally seen commercial products of this type, but I would be willing to bet that they exist in some form. If not, a bit more handy-word is required. Cut off the two- or three-pronged plug on the lamp and solder the leads to the solder pads on the solar panel. This process is simple and easy to learn, although it does require some basic tools (solder, soldering iron, possibly a desoldering tool). As for the outdoor lights, the process isn’t quite the same. After all, outdoor lights are redundant during the day when the sun is out, so the system requires that the sun’s energy emitted during the day is stored and used after dark.

This method is slightly more complicated, but fortunately, there are commercial products that get the job done. And basic setups are inexpensive, too, at around $30-$40. (There are some available for less, as well as more, but the aforementioned range will provide a quality product that is easy to setup and use.) Fans Perhaps the most expected use of solar power is operating fans. After all, when the sun is out, the temperature is high, thus the need for a fan. Fans can be placed indoors (on a window sill), or outdoors (on a porch, in the yard, etc.) and range in size. Deck and patio systems are very popular uses for solar power; with some concealed wiring, one could operate several mounted or free-standing fans with a single solar panel. Even hand-held solar fans are feasible. Commercially available (as well as a fun do-it-yourself project), hand-held fans are great to travel with, as they can be used anywhere that sun is present, and there is no need to carry extra batteries. Virtually all electrical devices can be operated by solar energy. Even computers, music players, and cell phones have solar power sources available for purchase. With a little motivation, anyone can save power and money by implementing solar solutions for electronic items around the house.

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology
realated subjects including Solar panels. For more information about John visit his website
www.techstore.ie.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/smallscale-solar-panel-applications-900726.html

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