Archive for October, 2009
Daes anyone know how to charge a device like an iPod or rechargeable batteries with a homemade solar panel?
if so, Please help!
You need enough solar cells connected in series and parallel to provide enough power (in strong sunlight) to charge the batteries.
Each small solar cell will put out a little over 0.7 volts in strong sunlight. It doesn’t matter how big (area) the single cell is — it will still only produce 0.7 volts. BUT… the larger the area, the more current you will get.
So, lets say your battery pack is 3.6 volts (pretty standard for Lithium ion packs). That means you will need at least; 3.6 divided by 0.7 = 5.1 cells in series. 5 cells will not produce quite enough voltage, so you need at least 6 cells in series to produce voltage to even start to charge the batteries (it is good to have a slightly higher charging voltage anyway). If your battery is only 1.2 volts, then you need 2 cells in series (for 1.4 volts total). If your battery pack is some other voltage, then you need to add up 0.7 volt cells until it is over the voltage of the battery pack.
Now, it becomes a matter of how much current do you want, to charge the batteries. The higher the current, the faster the charge time.
You could get one huge solar Panel that is 5 feet by 2 feet, produces 200 Watts, and you could charge your little 3.6V battery pack about 1 minute. I don’t think you were thinking of that. LOL
You need to figure out how many individual cells you want to use in groups of 6 (in series), and connect those groups of 6 in series all in parallel to increase the charging current.
Then it is just a matter of connecting the positive output of the solar cells to the positive terminal of the battery, and negative to negative. Then let the sun do the rest of the work.
Since your voltage *is* slightly higher than the battery pack you must carefully watch the temperature of the batteries. When they get very warm, it’s time to pull the plug on the charger.
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\Where can I buy solar panels for my home?
Here in California, we get a lot of sunlight year round so I am looking to install solar panels at home to save some energy. Where do I start looking? Are there stores that sell them? What type should I get (or rather, what types are there)?
What would be a good price range? And lastly, how much energy would it really save? Thanks for any help!
go on line there are piles of them don’t forget wind energy check out Jay Leno’s home and garage he is going right of the grid with his power and he has the name of the companies he buys from there was an article in Popular Mechanics awhile back on it
how do i make my own solar eclipse glasses?
whats a cheap, easy, and good way to make my own solar eclipse glasses?
Make a pinhole camera. This is easy to do and presents zero risk to your eyes.
Addendum: Photographic neutral density filters do not always attenuate infrared. Consider what you are risking if you get it wrong, and always use something that is known to be safe for solar observation.
Don’t be so scared that you miss the show, but do be careful. This is one area of astronomy where you really can hurt yourself.
Where can I find out how much it would cost to install solar panels for electricity?
My house is approximately 2,500 sq ft and we use about 1800-2500 kWh/month. I live in a very sunny area and I am thinking about installing solar panels for water heating and electricity. I am just researching estimates, I am not ready to contact a dealer or contractor yet, but I really have no idea where to start. Any informative sites or answers would be greatly appreciated.
The link below is to an estimation program. You have all the information you need for it to estimate for you. It is quite accurate. The estimation program works for both solar electric and solar hot water.
This is probably one of the very best sites for finding a qualified solar installer as well.
The second link is a great site for learning more about all types of alternative energy technologies.
I installed solar on my house 4 years ago and it is great. It saves me about $1200 per year on my electricity. You have about twice the total draw of my house (and I thought mine was an energy hog 
. One thing you may want to look at hard is whether you can save some energy by replacing wasteful appliances before you install solar. If you can it will very easily pay to do so. If your house is electrically heated if you can switch to gas that will save you a bunch of money and greatly reduce your electrical usage.
Solar Home Panels
http://solar.adventureonthewave.com is where you can get all the info you need about solar home panels solutions. Go now to http://solar.adventureonthewave.com for your home panels needs
Duration : 41 sec
Solar Panels at Home- Electricity and Make Electricity
Visit http://www.Snurl.com/SunPower and Learn How to make your own solar panels for less than $200 just visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower Answer this question? Do you want to save thousands off the cost of solar panels? Of course you do! You can now make solar panels at home! You have probably read about it or seen it on TV, but have you tried it yourself? Just check out this site and see how easy it can be!
Solar Panels at Home- Electricity and Make Electricity
Duration : 2 min 32 sec
Make your own solar panels – Do it yourself!
Visit http://Earth.Weebly.com and learn how to make your own solar panels and help save the environment. Reduce your electricity bills with solar panels!
Duration : 1 min 10 sec
Solar Power for Home – DIY Home Solarpower
Visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower and Learn How to make your own solar panels for less than $200!
If you are interested in learning exactly how to generate power and reduce your bill then this site is the perfect resource for you! With the ever increasing costs of living, there is no better time than right now to stop throwing money out the window and start generating our own electricity.
Check it out! Visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower
Solar Power for Home – DIY Home Solarpower
Duration : 2 min 32 sec
Make Solar Panels at Home – Homemade Solar Power
Visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower and Learn How to make your own solar panels for less than $200!
If you are interested in learning exactly how to generate power and reduce your bill then this site is the perfect resource for you! With the ever increasing costs of living, there is no better time than right now to stop throwing money out the window and start generating our own electricity.
Check it out! Visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower
Make Solar Panels at Home – Homemade Solar Power
Duration : 2 min 32 sec
How Dye Solar Panels Make Electricity from the Sun
animation showing how dye sensitized solar panels makes electricity, one electron at a time
Duration : 0:2:42