Before you read this guide I suggest you read this info on the benefits of solar power. If you already know all the pros and cons of using solar energy then read the guide below.
Step 1°: Calculate the Potential Solar Radiation Power
If you are planning to install a Photovoltaic Solar Energy System, the first thing you need to do is figure out how much solar energy you can expect your panels to absorb, based on the average daily solar radiation for your area.
For most parts of the United States, an average of 4-5 kWh/m²/day can be achieved, though in some regions it is possible to achieve up to 8.
To find the output for your area, please refer to this map put out by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Resource Assessment Program. In the delineation kWh/m²/day, the kWh stands for kilowatt hour, with “m” being the area of the absorber, or in this case, the photovoltaic cell, put into square meters. Solar panels, on average, work at about 7 to 17% efficiency.
Therefore, if you live in an area with an average solar radiation of 4.5 kWh/m²/day, and you have a total surface area of 1 m² (corresponding to 1.55 squared inches) of photovoltaic cells, you can expect to generate 0.315 kWh/day (315 Watt/day) estimating an average solar panel efficiency of 7%.
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Lighting is important to everyone. When the sun goes down we expect the lights to be just a click away. Sometime we may take advantage of our lighting and miss it when it is out. Lighting is used in many different ways.
You can have different wattage bulbs of your lighting as well as different colors. Your lighting source may be a lamp, an overhead light, a porch light and a flash light, just to name a few. Light can be taken with us or left behind. The source that powers your light is what this article is about. Learn about indoor and outdoor lighting using solar power and ways you can get this type of lighting.
Indoor Lighting
Some really great ideas for indoor solar lighting include using it inside of your sheds, gazebos, garages, or inside your home. You don’t need to continuously change light bulbs. The installation is easy and your maintenance is minimal. You need to install a solar panel that can receive the most possible sunlight in your area. That’s it.
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Solar power is the latest in saving the planet and conserving our energy. Solar power is energy produced from the sun and has great results when you use both energy and conservation. With solar power becoming more popular there is also the need for solar power products.
People are now building solar power houses to live in more efficiently. They also want appliances, lighting, heating, water pumps and water heaters to be solar power efficient as well. That is why we now have a way of purchasing solar power appliances to use in the kitchen. Appliances are usually the most costly appliance in a home as they usually run almost continuously and get used often.
Appliances Available
Now you don’t have to go through the time and effort of making your home solar power but using regular standard appliances. With solar power appliances it is easy to become solar power all the way.
Refrigerators: The one great thing about solar power refrigerators is that they offer the convenience of a refrigerator and freezer in one at a minimal amount of cost. They are thermostat controlled which allows you to set the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. There is minimal noise as it runs because the power to it is a natural constant flow. They also come in a variety of sizes as well as colors in order to fit into any solar power kitchen.
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