One of the answers to the energy crisis is to apply solar power. Solar power is the energy source of the most powerful and freely available to us now. That is why production of solar energy kits more abundant.
Solar energy kits is slowly taking place in most of the different houses in the world. Householders feel easy, convenient and effective to obtain energy from the sunlight.
Executive Summary about Sun Power by Richard Chapo
Generating electricity from the sun is all about converting sunlight into power. The technology behind solar systems is known as photovoltaic technology. Essentially, this technology involves using sunlight to create a chemical reaction. This process creates a direct current of electricity. The electricity is then converted to usable alternating current electricity and stored in a battery or fed into a utility grid system.
What’s the real truth behind all those ads?
Just searching around online for information about solar power, solar energy, and installing solar panels on your own home, you’ve probably run across many claims which say you can earn money from solar power. So is it true? Yes… sort of.
A professor at MIT, Sheila Kennedy and her team at Kennedy and Violich Architecture (KVA) recently launched SOFT Rockers at MIT 150th-anniversary Festival of Art+Science+Technology (FAST) celebration.
SOFT Rockers is a sleek, solar-powered energy recharging station, disguised as a public furniture (teardrop lounge).
A product design is not just an isolated object, but also the complex network of relationships that constitute it for what it will be understood in context. This work wants to build a network of environmental sustainability and putting the individual at the center of this network.
Vlada Davydova utilizes the solar panels and lights in a new way, Chaise lounge with solar energy.
Description from Vlada Davydova:
This is a concept how to use free solar energy. With this chaise lounge, that have three different positions, you can turn solar energy into electricity and use it, for example, as a backlighting at evening or night, charge your laptop or phone, if you want to work outside, or even use it for another places.
Perfect Green tech gadgets for modern travel. With powerful 20,000 mAh battery and 29 unique adapter tips, this solar charger will power and charge of almost all portable electronic devices.
Full Description after the photos…
The Solar Powered FM Radio Kit allows you to teach children about environmentally friendly energy source of solar energy in a fun and interesting. The kit will make a fully functional FM radio that was designed to be bright and attractive to children.
Adventures in microsolar supported by microelectronics and MEMS techniques
Representative thin crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells – these are from 14 to 20 micrometers thick and 0.25 to 1 millimeter across.
Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used.
The tiny cells could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing.
The solar particles, fabricated of crystalline silicon, hold the potential for a variety of new applications. They are expected eventually to be less expensive and have greater efficiencies than current photovoltaic collectors that are pieced together with 6-inch- square solar wafers.
The cells are fabricated using microelectronic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques common to today’s electronic foundries.
Sandia lead investigator Greg Nielson said the research team has identified more than 20 benefits of scale for its microphotovoltaic cells. These include new applications, improved performance, potential for reduced costs and higher efficiencies.
“Eventually units could be mass-produced and wrapped around unusual shapes for building-integrated solar, tents and maybe even clothing,” he said. This would make it possible for hunters, hikers or military personnel in the field to recharge batteries for phones, cameras and other electronic devices as they walk or rest.
Sandia project lead Greg Nielson holds a solar cell test prototype with a microscale lens array fastened above it. Together, the cell and lens help create a concentrated photovoltaic unit.
Even better, such microengineered panels could have circuits imprinted that would help perform other functions customarily left to large-scale construction with its attendant need for field construction design and permits.
Said Sandia field engineer Vipin Gupta, “Photovoltaic modules made from these microsized cells for the rooftops of homes and warehouses could have intelligent controls, inverters and even storage built in at the chip level. Such an integrated module could greatly simplify the cumbersome design, bid, permit and grid integration process that our solar technical assistance teams see in the field all the time.”
For large-scale power generation, said Sandia researcher Murat Okandan, “One of the biggest scale benefits is a significant reduction in manufacturing and installation costs compared with current PV techniques.”
Part of the potential cost reduction comes about because microcells require relatively little material to form well-controlled and highly efficient devices.
From 14 to 20 micrometers thick (a human hair is approximately 70 micrometers thick), they are 10 times thinner than conventional 6-inch-by-6-inch brick-sized cells, yet perform at about the same efficiency.
100 times less silicon generates same amount of electricity
“So they use 100 times less silicon to generate the same amount of electricity,” said Okandan. “Since they are much smaller and have fewer mechanical deformations for a given environment than the conventional cells, they may also be more reliable over the long term.”
Another manufacturing convenience is that the cells, because they are only hundreds of micrometers in diameter, can be fabricated from commercial wafers of any size, including today’s 300-millimeter (12-inch) diameter wafers and future 450-millimeter (18-inch) wafers. Further, if one cell proves defective in manufacture, the rest still can be harvested, while if a brick-sized unit goes bad, the entire wafer may be unusable. Also, brick-sized units fabricated larger than the conventional 6-inch-by-6-inch cross section to take advantage of larger wafer size would require thicker power lines to harvest the increased power, creating more cost and possibly shading the wafer. That problem does not exist with the small-cell approach and its individualized wiring.
From left to right, Sandia researchers Murat OKandan, Greg Nielson, and Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, hold samples containing arrays of microsolar cells.
Other unique features are available because the cells are so small. “The shade tolerance of our units to overhead obstructions is better than conventional PV panels,” said Nielson, “because portions of our units not in shade will keep sending out electricity where a partially shaded conventional panel may turn off entirely.”
Because flexible substrates can be easily fabricated, high-efficiency PV for ubiquitous solar power becomes more feasible, said Okandan.
A commercial move to microscale PV cells would be a dramatic change from conventional silicon PV modules composed of arrays of 6-inch-by-6-inch wafers. However, by bringing in techniques normally used in MEMS, electronics and the light-emitting diode (LED) industries (for additional work involving gallium arsenide instead of silicon), the change to small cells should be relatively straightforward, Gupta said.
Each cell is formed on silicon wafers, etched and then released inexpensively in hexagonal shapes, with electrical contacts prefabricated on each piece, by borrowing techniques from integrated circuits and MEMS.
Offering a run for their money to conventional large wafers of crystalline silicon, electricity presently can be harvested from the Sandia-created cells with 14.9 percent efficiency. Off-the-shelf commercial modules range from 13 to 20 percent efficient.
A widely used commercial tool called a pick-and-place machine — the current standard for the mass assembly of electronics — can place up to 130,000 pieces of glitter per hour at electrical contact points preestablished on the substrate; the placement takes place at cooler temperatures. The cost is approximately one-tenth of a cent per piece with the number of cells per module determined by the level of optical concentration and the size of the die, likely to be in the 10,000 to 50,000 cell per square meter range. An alternate technology, still at the lab-bench stage, involves self-assembly of the parts at even lower costs.
Solar concentrators — low-cost, prefabricated, optically efficient microlens arrays — can be placed directly over each glitter-sized cell to increase the number of photons arriving to be converted via the photovoltaic effect into electrons. The small cell size means that cheaper and more efficient short focal length microlens arrays can be fabricated for this purpose.
High-voltage output is possible directly from the modules because of the large number of cells in the array. This should reduce costs associated with wiring, due to reduced resistive losses at higher voltages.
Other possible applications for the technology include satellites and remote sensing.
The project combines expertise from Sandia’s Microsystems Center; Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Group; the Materials, Devices, and Energy Technologies Group; and the National Renewable Energy Lab’s Concentrating Photovoltaics Group.
Involved in the process, in addition to Nielson, Okandan and Gupta, are Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul Resnick, Tammy Pluym, Peggy Clews, Carlos Sanchez, Bill Sweatt, Tony Lentine, Anton Filatov, Mike Sinclair, Mark Overberg, Jeff Nelson, Jennifer Granata, Craig Carmignani, Rick Kemp, Connie Stewart, Jonathan Wierer,
George Wang, Jerry Simmons, Jason Strauch, Judith Lavin and Mark Wanlass (NREL).
The work is supported by DOE’s Solar Energy Technology Program and Sandia’s Laboratory Directed Research & Development program, and has been presented at four technical conferences this year.
The ability of light to produce electrons, and thus electricity, has been known for more than a hundred years.
Solar lantern is a simplified practical application of solar cell technology, which has obtained well acceptance in rustic areas where the power supply is temporary and barely. Yet in the urban areas people favor a solar lantern as an option during power issues because of its easy mechanism.
How a Solar Lantern Runs?
A solar Lantern is produced of three essential elements – the solar cell panel, the battery and the lamp. The procedure is really easy. The solar energy is reformed to electric energy by the solar cell panel and put in a sealed maintenance-free battery for later apply during the night hours. A single charge can work the lamp for around 4-5 hours.
Solar technologies is now highly developed, with some progress is being developed to be used every day.
Below 10 Solar Technologies to note:
Initial concept of light tubes developed by the ancient Egyptians, namely by direct use of natural light tubes with reflective material. This is the concept of the oldest and most widespread type of natural lighting of interior space.
Light tubes are also known as “tubular skylight”, “SunScope” or “Tubular Daylighting Device” allow natural light into the darkened interior room of buildings and houses. The people enjoy the natural lighting provided by skylights. However, skylights are often not evenly distribute the light, is the loss of a significant source of energy, and UV light can cause damage to the carpet and furniture. Light tubes, on the other hand, using the sun for lighting interiors without the shortcomings associated with conventional skylights. To prevent the danger of ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the carpet and furniture fading, UV inhibitors formed a dome roof on most models. Another bonus when choosing light tubes is that they provide far more heat slightly, as did the standard skylights. Because of the lack of acceptance of this heat, tubular skylights to save money on air conditioning bills during hot months.
Taking advantage of free sunlight as much as possible, the pipe hole collect sunlight from the roof dome light collector consists of an acrylic lens, bounce it to the bottom of a tube with a highly reflective interior coating, to pull the lens cap is similar to conventional recessed lighting equipment and diffuse sun light evenly throughout the interior rooms. The tube can be bent and adapted to drive around the garret or ceiling obstructions with small loss of light transmitting and can often be installed in less than three hours. Not like the ceiling of need roof to the ceiling of the timber-framed shaft and covered with drywall or wood panels, and the need for structural modifications, so installation is simple and relatively inexpensive.
Roof mounted dome made of high quality acrylic resin specially formulated to enhance the impact strength, chemical, weather resistance and high clarity.
Light tubes can be installed on almost all types of roof materials, including wood and asphalt shingles, concrete and ceramics, and metals. Thanks to a highly reflective coating on the rod, the tube can work efficiently from sunrise to sunset.
Most of the producers of glass tubular solar roof offers a 10-year warranty against defects in materials and post-installation cracks or discoloration. Tubes solar installation contractors generally offer a 2-3 year warranty for the installation of weatherproofing and storm protection.
The average size of the tubular skylight ranges between 10 and 21 inches (254 and 533 mm), diameter, which effectively light of 100-600 square feet (30,48-182,88 meters), interior space. The main factor in choosing a general measure of the distance between the roof rafters and / or ceiling beams.
Prices range from around $ 171.00 to $ 423.00. Installing a solar tube usually cost between $ 500 and $ 800. Both depend on the size of tubes and features installed.
Light tube options include:
Energy-efficient light tubes is an important part of the house and environmentally friendly buildings. Natural light effects on your physical, emotional and psychological well known as the rooms benefit from natural sunlight free will positively impact our environment for future generations. They are environmentally-friendly way to naturally brighten every room, a smart alternative to skylights and artificial lighting.
You may have seen a calculator that has a solar cell? calculator that does not need batteries, and in some cases do not even have the off button. As long as you have enough light, so the calculator can be on at any time and forever. You may have seen larger solar panels, such as in housing or traffic lights, haven’t you? In this article I will review how solar cell work so it can deliver the energy and drive an electronic device.
Today the demand for electricity has become a major requirement in all corners. The presence of power plants sometimes do not solve the need for electricity especially in remote areas where the terrain is always an excuse. Here an alternative energy that can be easily found in nature and can be used as an alternative free energy replacing conventional electricity, because it can turn on household electronics such as televisions, radios and lights.
Solar cells made from pieces of a very small silicon coated with special chemicals to form the basis of solar cells. Solar cells generally have a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm is made from semiconductor materials incision with positive and negative poles. Each solar cell produces usually voltage 0.5 volts. Solar cells is an active element (semiconductor) that utilizes photovoltaic effect to transform solar energy into electrical energy.
Solar cells contain a connection (junction) between two thin layers made of semiconductor materials, each of which is known as a semiconductor type “P” (positive) and semiconductor type “N” (negative).
N-type semiconductor made of silicon crystals and there are also some other materials (typically phosphorus) within the limits that these materials can provide an excess of free electrons.
Electrons are sub atomic particles are negatively charged, so that the silicon alloy in this case known as N-type semiconductor (Negative). P-type semiconductor made of silicon crystal in which there is a small amount of other material (typically boron) which caused the shortage of material free electrons. Lack or loss of electrons is called a hole. Because there is no or lack of electrons electrically negative charged then the silicon alloys in this case as a semiconductor type-P (Positive).
Composition of a solar cell, the same as a diode, consisting of two layers, called PN junction. PN junction obtained by staining a pure semiconductor silicon (valence 4) with the impurity valence 3 on the left side, and one on the right impurity stained with valence 5.
The effect of the electric field in a PV cell
Operation of a PV cell
Basic structure of a generic silicon PV cell
Thus formed on the left side that is not pure silicon again and called P type silicon, while the right side is called silicon type N. In the pure silicon there are two kinds of electrical charge carriers are balanced. Positive electric charge carriers called holes, while the negative are called electrons. After a desecration process, in the P type silicon formed holes (positive charge carriers) in a very large number compared with the electron. Therefore, in the P type silicon holes are majority charge carriers, while the electrons are minority carriers. Conversely, in the N type silicon is formed of electrons in a very large number so-called majority carriers, and holes called minority carriers.
In the silicon rod there was interaction between the P and the N. Therefore called the PN junction. When present, the P associated with the positive pole of a battery, while the negative polar associated with the N, then there is a relationship called “forward bias”.
Under forward bias, electrical currents arise in a series due to both types of charge carriers. So the electric current flowing in the PN junction is caused by the movement of electron and the movement of holes. An electric current is flowing in the direction of holes movement, but opposite direction with the movement of electrons. Just to further explain, electrons moving in the conductor material can lead to electrical energy. And electrical energy is called as an electric current that flows in the opposite direction to the movement of electrons.
But, if the P associated with negative pole of batteries and the N associated with positive pole, then now formed a relationship called “reverse bias”. In these circumstances, the hole (positive charge carriers) can be connected directly to the positive pole, while the electrons are also directly to the positive pole. So, clearly in the PN junction there is no movement of majority charge carriers either the holes or electrons. Meanwhile, the minority charge carriers (electrons) in the part P moves trying to reach the positive pole of the batteries. Similarly, the minority charge carriers (holes) in the N also moved to reach the negative pole. Therefore, in a state of reverse bias, in the PN junction there is also output current even in very small amounts (micro amperes). This current is often called the reverse saturation current or leakage current.
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Anything interesting in reverse bias. When the temperature of PN junction raised they will be able to enlarge leakage current. Means that if given the energy (heat), the minority charge carriers in the PN junction grows. Because the light is one form of energy, so if there is light that hit a PN junction may also produce enough energy to generate charge carriers. This symptoms are called photoconductive. Based on the photoconductive symptoms made of photodiode electronic components from PN junction.
In reverse bias, with increasing intensity of light that hit photodiode can increase the level of leakage current. Leakage currents can also be enlarged by increasing the battery voltage (reverse voltage), but the addition of leakage currents were not significant. When the batteries in the reverse bias circuit is removed and replaced with a load of resistance, the provision of light that can cause charge carriers both holes and electrons. If the illumination light is increased, current output was greater. Such symptoms are called photovoltaic. Light can provide enough energy to enlarge the number of holes in the P and the number of electrons on the N. Based on the symptoms of this photovoltaic electronic components can be created photovoltaic cell. Because usually the sun as a source of light, the photovoltaic cell is also called the solar cell (solar cells) or a solar energy converter.
So the solar cell is essentially a large photo diode and designed by referring to the photovoltaic symptoms so that could produce the greatest possible power. P type silicon is the very thin surface layer so that light can penetrate directly reach the junction. Part P is given ring-shaped nickel layer, as a positive output terminal. Under the P is the N type that is coated with nickel as well as the negative output terminal.
To obtain a large enough power required much of solar cells. Usually, solar cells arranged form the shape of the panel, and is called the photovoltaic panels (PV). PV as a source of electric power was first used in satellites. Then PV as an energy source for cars, so there are solar electric car. Now, in foreign countries, PV has started to be used as a roof or wall of the house. Sanyo has made even a semi-transparent PV that can be used as a substitute for glass.
After getting the output of the solar cell is a direct electrical current can be used to load utilized. But also the electric current can be used as a charge stored by the battery to be used when needed, especially at night because there was no sun.
If the solar cell is used for storage into the battery, then the resulting voltage magnitude must be above the battery specification. For example the battery used is 12 volts, the voltage produced by solar cell must be above 12 volts in order to perform charging.
We recommend that before carrying out the charging battery should be empty because the incoming flow will be filled with the maximum. The unit capacity of a battery is the Ampere-hour (Ah) and these characteristics are usually found on the label of a battery. For example a battery with 10 Ah capacity will fill up for 10 hours with the solar cell output currents of 1 Ampere.
Grid-connected system was applied to many urban areas housing, existing electricity network. The purpose of using solar panels, to save the cost of excessive electricity consumption and help reduce the greenhouse effect caused by the use of fossil fuels which cause excessive air pollution. Electrical energy which is in turn, channeled into the electricity networks that already exist and can be stored in the electricity network. This term is called the Hybrid System, which combine solar power plants with electricity network. Solar systems can also be combined with other power plants such as PV-Generator Hybrid, Hybrid PV-Microhydro, Hybrid PV-Wind and can even be combined into 3 systems of different power to Hybrid PV-Wind-Generator.
The following illustration application of grid connected systems in housing
Caption:
1. Solar panels installed at suitable locations to generate optimal power.
2. Inverter (Controller) function to change direct current (DC) produced by PV into alternating current (AC) that can be applied to household electronic equipment.
3. Box distribution function to distribute the AC current through the PV generated electricity network.
4. Discharging the burden of household air-conditioning system.
5. Electric meter show the current of electricity network will b
Many people, especially those who are beginners in solar technology may wonder how solar panels work. But first, what is the home solar panels? This is a solar-powered gadget that collect and use the energy from the sun through its rays and convert it into power.
Some people use solar panels home gadgets to act as an alternative source of energy for their small household, effectively complements the consumption of electricity from local utilities.
There are still homeowners who invest in residential solar panels are fully able to provide power to the house, run all appliances, water heaters and swimming pool. However, the cost is very expensive if you intend to own and install your own home solar panels that will work as the only source of daily strength. A solar panel unit actually has a very high price from a few thousand dollars.
How solar panels work can be answered simply. He has a photovoltaic cell in a panel that primarily works by collecting energy from sunlight that falls on them, then solar energy is converted into electrical energy for use at home.
You may very well consider this gadget as an investment, because you need to shell out large enough amount of money to buy and install them as your resource. It is a serious investment even if you only need to spend the money early, the amount needed is really great. After purchase you do not have to worry about this as the sun runs his own gadgets, making endless supply of electricity to your residence with the help, of course, the sun.
Many supporters of a clean environment and recommended the use of green house solar panels, if only because the energy that collects and converts power from the sun. Therefore, the power generated is clean and not harmful to the environment of the world. Likewise, you do not have to worry about running out of the sun’s energy for endless supply. Solar energy is a clean renewable energy, and is considered the best alternative energy is there.
