Energy Conservation Tips: The Elements of a Homemade Solar Panel

Why solar panels? With the ever-present threat of Global Warming looming over our heads, clean and renewable energy is an appealing alternative to electricity generated from fossil fuels. Solar energy can reduce the monthly cost of electricity. It is a technology amenable to DIY projects.

Solar panels harness the power of sunlight to generate electricity through the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. If money is no object, a contractor can be hired to obtain and install a solar system for you. For those of us in the "other" category, there are other less expensive options. These include purchasing solar panel kits, refurbishing used solar panels, and the ultimate DIY of making panels from component parts. Solar panels can create a more self-sufficient household in which they meet your all or most of household electrical energy needs. The ideal scenario would have the electricity generated will exceed the needs permitting electricity to be sold back to the Grid.

Although the there are other component required for more complex systems, the basic elements of a homemade solar panel system include four items: Solar panel(s); Charge controller; Battery; and Inverter.

The solar panel: While we see the system as a solar panel, the total voltage is the sum of the voltage of all the photovoltaic cells in the system. To determine how many panels are needed we need to look at and average out the energy usage that appears on our bills.

The charge controller / regulator: The charge controller helps to maximize the life of the battery by the prevention of overcharging. It also follows the discharge status of the battery day and night.

Battery: The electricity not immediately used is stored by a battery or series of batteries. Deep-cycle or marine batteries are preferable to automobile batteries because they are capable of storing all or virtually all of the electricity generated by the solar panels, thus minimizing waste.

Inverter: Solar panels generate and store electricity as DC or Direct Current, whereas our appliances utilize AC or Alternating Current. The job of the inverter is to convert DC to AC to meet our household needs.

If a solar panel system is designed with the intent of generating enough electricity to "sell back" to the Grid, then the components will include the AC Breaker Panel, and the Kilowatt-per-Hour Indicator are required. The KW per Hour indicator, for example is necessary to track how much current is provided to and from the grid to determine the charge or credit that appears on your monthly electric bill.

We should also not forget the obvious energy saving tips including the shutting off of lights in unused rooms and the use of Energy-saver fluorescent bulbs.

To summarize, homemade solar panels can provide a great opportunity for a DIY project. They are also only one of several great energy conservation tips.

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March 08 2009 | Home Improvement | No Comments »

Home Built Wind Generator – Roll Your Own And Reduce Your Bills

It may seem implausible to you to dispense with your utility company, but for many people this is becoming a reality. And the motivation is many fold. however, top of the reasons is that it can save money.

It goes without saying that electricity bills go up each year and don't seem to go down. Why this is the case is a subject of debate but the reality is that most of the raw materials that are used in power stations as finite materials that get more expensive to obtain. Whatever the reasons for the rises it is spurring people on to look for alternatives. And one such alternative is a home built wind generator.

Why a Home Built Wind Generator?

Well, why not is the best possible answer.

Upon installing your wind generator, you have a pretty much maintenance free source of free energy. Sounds like a good reason to me, however there are a few caveats. You need to be situated in an area that gets an adequate amount of wind. You also need a plot of spare land on your property to locate the turbine.

Kits Vs Home Grown

The popularity of alternative energy has encouraged many products to be launched in the home built wind generator field. Basically, you can buy a kit or you can buy plans and build the generator from scratch. The kit is easier to put together and requires less expertise but will cost more. If you do it yourself you have more scope to customize your turbine for your location or needs.

If you like a challenge or have some DIY skills then the kit is your best bet. Prices will vary depending on what your requirements are but it is a more cost effective solution than paying professionals to install a wind turbine.

If you have the skills and want to build a wind generator from scratch then you'll find a book or website that can show you how to build one (Some websites and products even come as videos if you prefer learning that way). The materials for your generator can be purchased second hand on places like ebay if you are on a budget.

It is all a matter of your mechanical and electrical abilities as well as craftiness in substituting materials. However, hopefully the end result is a home built wind generator that actually produces a little energy.

For most people, a home built wind generator will be used to supplement their existing grid power. It may provide enough power to run some of your kitchen appliances each month. This can knock a bit off your energy bills.

Having a wind generator is also better for the environment and puts less reliance on dwindling fossil fuels.

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January 25 2009 | Home Improvement | No Comments »