Solar Home Plan » how solar power works http://www.solarhomeplan.net Solar enegy information and products for home and business Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:10:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.solarhomeplan.net http://www.solarhomeplan.net/wp-content/plugins/maxblogpress-favicon/icons/favicon-50.ico Solar Home Plan Passive Solar Lighting http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-energy/passive-solar-lighting/ http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-energy/passive-solar-lighting/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:39:12 +0000 J Bobyn http://www.solarhomeplan.net/passive-solar-lighting/ If your thinking about making mega savings to your energy bill why not have a go at building your own solar panels? It’s much simpler than you think But that’s not the only way to use the sun’s energy to help light your home. Here are four more ways you can use solar lighting for your house.

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Skylights: Of the passive lighting sources used in houses, skylights are the most common. They are a great way to utilize natural light, particularly in small rooms or rooms without windows. Skylights can sometimes deliver more natural light to a room than windows, because their rooftop placement exposes them to the sun during the day.

Solar light tubes: Solar light tubes are effective for rooms without windows such as hallways, closets, interior bathrooms, and garages. This may seem like modern technology, but solar light tubes were evidently utilized by the ancient Egyptians.  Solar light tubes are usually smaller than skylights, usually only 9 to 12 inches around. They are installed through the roof, and use a reflective substance in the tube to increase the amount of light they deliver. Because of the reflective material, the tubes can be functional even on overcast days because they don’t require direct or bright sunlight to work well. Although solar light tubes can be added to most existing roofs, it’s easiest to put them in during construction.
Solar exterior lighting is very practical. It is powered by small solar cells that collect sunlight during the day, then store it for use at night. If the lighting fixture doesn’t receive enough direct sunlight, the solar cell(s) can be mounted in a sunny location and wired to the fixture.

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You can buy a solar powered version of just about any kind of exterior lighting. Porch and patio lights, spotlights, and even security lights with motion detectors can all be powered with solar cells. This is a great feature for security lighting because it will continue to function during power outages.

If your landscaping is something to be proud of then lighting will really help to show this off in the evenings too. They have many uses and come in a variety of sizes and styles. Can you imagine arriving home in the evening or when friends visit and see your beautiful gardens illuminated looking like a magazine cover? Low level lighting can be used to outline driveways and garden borders. Taller lighting fixtures will illuminate outdoor living areas like patios or gazebos. For lighting sidewalks or paths, choose mid-level lighting with non-glare screens. There are even solar party lights (sometimes called stringlights) you can use for special occasions or for decoration for outdoor living areas.

Passive solar lighting is one of the easiest ways to utilize solar energy. Try out some inexpensive outdoor decorative lighting and add to it as you feel comfortable. If you buy a new house or replace your roof, think about using skylights and even solar light tubes.

Here’s our recommended guide to solar lighting. It gives tips on all sorts of ideas that you can use solar energy to cut down on your energy bills. Be self sufficient. Be different. This indeed is the future.

A Easy DIY Guide To Homemade Solar Cell Technology

]]> http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-energy/passive-solar-lighting/feed/ 0 Living Off-Grid http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/living-off-grid/ http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/living-off-grid/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:52:01 +0000 J Bobyn http://www.solarhomeplan.net/living-off-grid/ You Can Live Off-Grid
The shortage of power, the accelerated use of consumable energy, the ever-growing need for energy resources, the persistant warnings concerning the environment are enough proof to let us know that it’s time we do something. So, what can we do? For starters, why not try living off the grid? If I have startled you with that proposition, let me tell you that living off the grid not only helps the environment and helps conserve energy; it also reduces your electricity bill substantially. Now, that’s a real-life benefit apart from how you will greatly benefit the environment. believe me, you will feel good doing this.

If you would like to discover how you can go off-grid visit:: Living with Off Grid Solar Power

Let us first take a look at the benefits of being off-grid..
• less dependence on exhausting resources: Who wants to depend on public utilities forever? Living off the grid allows you to rely solely on yourown resources and not the ones provided by the government or big companies. How many times have you felt furious when faced with a power outage in the middle of some important project or a party? Wouldn’t it be great to take charge of such factors that affect your life? With alternative power solutions, you can. take a look at this and learn how you can save your money: Find Out How You Can Use Off Grid Solar Power

• When you use naturally available resources, you don’t have to pay a thing!: Think about how you’d feel when you no longer have to pay for the electricity you use. Wouldn’t it be delightful to use all you want and not give a thought to the electric meter? You can take advantage of the abundant, available power that nature herself provides to light your home and prepare your meals. Your quest for power can now be satisfied with solar and wind power solutions.  
• Save money by reducing your bill: How would you like to go to your mailbox and never again find an electic bill? Using alternative power solutions gives you a rapid return on your investment, as you will eventually be powering your home for free! 
• Preparing the way for a healthier environment: Don’t you want to thank the people who planted trees years ago knowing that the trees wouldn’t grow to maturity for many years to come? They planted those trees for the generations to come. Make the future of your future generations secure by providing them a healthier, more ecologically sound world. Cut down on the use of non-renewable energy sources..

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If your are questioning whether living off the grid is doable, check out alternative energy solutions. You might be surprised to find out that they are not only economically beneficial but very feasible as well.

]]> http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/living-off-grid/feed/ 0 Solar Panels: Are They A Good Option For My House? http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/solar-panels-are-they-a-good-option-for-my-house/ http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/solar-panels-are-they-a-good-option-for-my-house/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:32:40 +0000 J Bobyn http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panels-are-they-a-good-option-for-my-house/ If you’ve been questioning whether your house is a good candidate for solar panels, here are some things to consider. Factors such as the direction that your roof faces and the placement of trees on your property can make a difference. You will also need to decide whether or not you want your electrical system tied to the local power grid. Following is some information to help you decide if solar panels are a good choice for your home.

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A major factor is deciding if your system will be grid tied or off grid. Grid tied means that your electric system will be connected to the local electric utility company. As long as sunlight is hitting the solar panels, they will be generating electricity to run your appliances. During periods when your solar panels don’t have access to sunlight (nighttime, cloudy days), your appliances would be getting electricity from the local utility company.

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An off grid system works independently and is not connected to a utility company. These are more found more in rural locations where utility poles are distant and getting hooked up is extremely expensive. With off grid systems, excess electricity is stored in batteries (similar to car batteries) and a back-up generator is usually utilized. The solar panels provide electricity during periods of sunlight, and at night or during inclement weather, the batteries or generator take over.  

For either system-grid tied or off grid-roof pitch and facing direction, and objects that can block sunlight all play a part in placement of your solar panels. For optimum efficiency solar panels require direct sunlight for as much of the day as possible. Large trees that shade the roof as well as taller buildings that might block the sun need to be considered. As each house has various combinations of these factors, each house must be individually evaluated. Accurate measurements and surveys, as well as a site inspection by a qualified installer will provide the necessary information to choose the best solar panel configuration for your house.

The Ultimate Guide To Earth4Energy Solar Panel Project

]]> http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/solar-panels-are-they-a-good-option-for-my-house/feed/ 0 How To Service Your Solar Panels http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/how-to-service-your-solar-panels/ http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/how-to-service-your-solar-panels/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:50:00 +0000 J Bobyn http://www.solarhomeplan.net/how-to-service-your-solar-panels/ If you worry that having solar panels installed on your home will result in costly, time-consuming maintenance, you can stop worrying. Residential solar panels are manufactured using thick glass encapsulate the solar cells and are then affixed to metal racks.  As the solar panels have no moving parts, they require minimal maintenance once they are installed.

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However, this can be affected by your locality, the weather typical for your area, and and the number of trees in your yard.  For instance, if you reside in a region where there is a lot of snow in the winter, you may have to spend some time following a heavy snowfall cleaning off the solar panels so the sun can penetrate them. Or if you live in a region that has frequent dust storms, or in an urban area where there is a lot of dirt in the air, you may need to clean the glass panels occasionally to maximize their effectiveness. But if there is a ample amount of rain, that should keep the solar panels clean enough to function properly.

If there are a lot of deciduous trees on your property, including evergreens, you may need to see that the leaves or needles don’t cover your solar panels. But a quick swipe with a broom should do the trick.

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As we know, the solar panels are not the only aspects of the system. If yours is an off grid system, it will include storage batteries and perhaps a back up generator. These things will require more monitoring and continual care than the solar panels themselves. It’s always wise to plan for periodic examinations to ensure that your entire solar energy system is functioning properly.

If your solar panels are connected to the grid, you will still have the inverter as part of your system. It changes the electricity that your solar panels produce into alternating current that your appliances can use. Although it has no mechanical parts, it is an important component and should be regularly inspected.

See What To Do Next

]]> http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/how-to-service-your-solar-panels/feed/ 0 Solar Panels – How Much Energy Will My Home Require? http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/solar-panels-how-much-energy-will-my-home-require/ http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panel/solar-panels-how-much-energy-will-my-home-require/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:58:30 +0000 J Bobyn http://www.solarhomeplan.net/solar-panels-how-much-energy-will-my-home-require/ If you are planning to install a solar power system in your home, you will need to determine your current rate of energy consumption.  Normally, you can obtain this information from your local power company. Using this data as a baseline, you can design your solar energy system to correspond to the needs of your home. The climate in your region will have an impact on energy use, as will the direction your windows face, the number and location of trees on the site, and the kinds of appliances you use.Even the type of light bulbs you use can make a difference. For Ways To Find Out About Cutting Electricity Bills Go To: DIY Make Solar Solar Power Energy

The annual temperature extremes in your geographical area will be a important factor. Being in an area with extreme temperatures will require more power to heat or cool your home than if you live in a moderate climate. In a cold climate, south-facing windows help lower your heating bills. North facing windows in a hot climate can reduce cooling bills.

Mature trees can shade your house in the summer, lowering cooling bills, while the denuded limbs in the winter will allow sunlight in. These factors can all contibute to how much energy you use. In addition, installing adequate insulation in walls, roofs and floors help reduce utility bills in every climate.

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If you can, change all of your appliances to energy efficient models. Newer appliance models often use as much as 50% less energy than older models, particularly if they need repairs and are not working at top efficiency. Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs also makes a significant difference in reducing electricity consumption. After you have evaluated your house for these factors, you can plan to build a solar photovoltaic system by multiplying your average daily kilowatt hour consumption by about .25. This should give you an approximation of the daily kilowatts your solar panels will need to generate in order to supply your current power requirements.

To Find Out Innovations that you can also Help to lessen the Danger on the Planet whist reducing your Energy costs visit: The Latest on Make Solar Power Guide

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