by Ron Young
Pat Young holding the Efergy Elite2 Meter from Article 7-Metering
In this continuing series of articles I provide insight into the basics of designing and purchasing your own off-the-grid renewable energy system.
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Go to the articles page or click on the individual article links:
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PART 4 SAFETY
PART 5 INVERTERS
PART 6 WIND
PART 7 METERING
(Source: solareagle.com)
Cyber expert on SMART GRID: massive vulnerability, who’s accountable? (by ThePowerFilm)
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In this series of articles I provide insight into the basics of designing and purchasing your own off-the-grid renewable energy system. The initial series of articles deal primarily with solar energy components, developing a load analysis, understanding deep cycle batteries, solar panels, charge controllers and inverters along with their associated ‘balance of system’ components.
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Click on the title above to access the PDF download page or click on these individual article links:
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Another incredible lighting idea that will light up the lives of anyone that lives in a dark cabin or home. One of those duhhh why didn’t someone think of this sooner! Having been in some of those third world homes depicted in the video I can only wonder if it is not a mixed blessing in some ways.
The mind reels! ROADS MADE OF SOLAR PANELS
The Solar Roadways project is an inspiring and exciting story of Scott and Julie Brusaw and their idea to change our world. Definitely worth a look.
The marriage of these technologies right now is not too elegant but in the very near future this type of lighting product will be seen in every shape, size and conceivable application …what else can be easily combined with a low power source, it boggles the mind. Security triggers, digital photo devices, door openers, PDA’s et al. This solar powered LED lightbulb designed to replace kerosene lamps as a lighting source in the developing world is, according to Nokero the Hong Kong company that developed the bulb, going to aid 1.6 billion people who still lack sufficient access to electricity. Many burn fossil fuels for light, which can be dangerous and expensive. At about the size of a 100w incandescent bulb it incorporates four small solar panels into a water proof case that contains five LED’s and a replaceable NIMH battery. When fully charged it will provide about four hours of light although a typical charge of one day will give two hours of light. The idea is to hang it outside during the day to recharge and bring it inside at night. LED’s are incredibly long lasting bulbs exceeding tens of thousands of hours of life expectancy. They are not easily damaged by impact such as dropping them. The solar panels in the lights also have a life expectancy of several years.
A common and useful question asked by those considering the purchase of PV solar and other renewable energy equipment. How long does it last? This goes straight to understanding of return on your investment over time and is an important consideration for most of us that haven’t won the lottery. PV panels have always had amazing life spans. I’ve seen solar modules in the back country that have bullet holes through them and are still functioning -albeit at a little lower power than their original rating. Here is an excellent article on tests that were performed on a thirty year old module that is still performing at it’s original rated power. These days most reputable solar panel manufacturers have a 20 - 25 year warranty. This usually means that they are warranted to perform to a minimum percentage of their rated power output (often 80% over say 25 years). go to the article
This is one of the best solar ad campaign I have seen, by Solon AG Fuer Solartechnik, manufacturer and distributor of solar cells and photovoltaic power panels, which operates in Germany and Switzerland.
A 12 cubic feet refrigerator uses about 800 kilowatt hours per year
A 500 Watt portable heater uses about 150 kilowatt hours per year
A 3 ton central air conditioning system uses about 2000 kilowatt hours per year (assuming 4 months summer usage)
A clothes dryer (4 hours per week) uses about 1000 kilowatt hours per year
A 10 gallon fish tank with light and heater uses 400 kilowatt hours per year
Lighting for 5 rooms uses about 1000 kilowatt hours
A 100 Watt light bulb (for 5 hours a day) uses 180 kilowatt hours a year. Fluorescent lights use about 1/4 of the energy of a regular light bulb
A Color Television (6 hours a day) uses 600 kilowatt hours a year
A TV (3 hours a day) uses 200 kilowatt hours
A Video recorder (3 hours a day) uses 75 kilowatt hours
A personal computer (10 hours a week) uses 150 kilowatt hours. A small laser printer uses 90-100 watts while printing and 5 watts when electricity connected, but not printing.
courtesy Solarbuzz
