Posts Tagged ‘Energy’

Solaro Energy – POP Display

Solaro Energy – POP Displays for use at home shows featuring the Solaro Day and the Solaro Aire

Homemade Solar Cell: Learn Efficient Ways To Cut Down On Your Home Energy Bill

Homemade Solar Cell: Learn Efficient Ways To Cut Down On Your Home Energy Bill

A homemade solar cell is one of the most efficient ways to power your home using renewable energy. A solar cell converts energy from the sun into electricity and is normally installed on a person’s roof of their home. You are able to purchase these new from different stores, but the problem is that they are very costly. You might spend upwards of ,000. It’s a great way in knowing how to generate electricity for free. A better way is to build your own homemade solar cell. Here is how:

Materials You Need

• Copper Sheeting•Clear Plexiglass/Perpex/Acrylic Sheeting • Some Thin Wood Strip • copper Wire • Duct Tape • Metal Guillotine • Bandsaw • Electric Ring Hob These materials focus on the most cost efficient technologies in terms of cost per generated power.

How A Homemade Solar Cell Works

1.) Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon.

2.) Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity. Due to the special composition of solar cells, the electrons are only allowed to move in a single direction. The complementary positive charges that are also created (like bubbles) are called holes and flow in the direction opposite of the electrons in a silicon solar panel.

3.) An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity. To find out more information about the steps going into building a homemade solar cell, visit building a homemade solar cell.

How To Prepare A Solar Cell

For preparing the solar panel, the solar cells are arranged in rows. These must be connected for a smooth flow of energy. A sheet of plastic or glass is placed on the panel of cells so that they are protected. After this, the edges of the solar panel are framed.

Make Solar Panels – Energy Independence Starts Now

Make Solar Panels – Energy Independence Starts Now

More and more, everyday individuals like you and me want to use more efficient ways to make renewable energy. When you consider the expanding costs of fossil fuels, going green is quickly becoming a realistic option. The Do-It-Yourself energy movement has quickly become one of the fastest and best ways to save money and aid the environment. Making solar panels has never been easier. Not to mention that it’s cost effective and fun.
There are numerous ways to make a solar panel, none of which is all that hard. Depending on the type of materials you use, your solar panel should cost about 200 dollars.
You have a choice of multiple types of materials when you make homemade solar panels. Your first major expense will be to buy the solar cells. Recently on Ebay a  search showed tabbed solar cells for about .80 each and untabbed solar cells for about .10 each.
Plywood might be your least expensive material to purchase, and you may even have some lying around the side yard already. However, rather than plywood, I would suggest using a sheet of white or black plexiglass. It’s lighter, much nicer looking, and will last longer. You can most likely find the size you need at your local hardware store or it can be bought online.
Once you have the back of your solar frame, you’ll have to put a frame around the edge. You can use either aluminum C frame material or wood. Aluminum is more expensive, but it will last a good deal longer and weather the elements better.
Your final piece of the puzzle is the cover. Some people use a sheet of glass. I would not suggest using glass, simply because it’s so fragile. Clear, UV-protected plexiglass is the best option. Make sure, however, that it is UV-protected or it will turn yellow and reduce your panel’s effectiveness.
As you begin your project, plan out each phase and put your plan into writing. You can easily make solar panels with the right guide book. The right manual will help steer you in the proper direction to make good decisions. Start small and work big. Be realistic in your expectations. Your initial panel, may not be the fastest car on the track, but you’ll improve with practice.
Take the time to plan out your solar panel project. Budget your project  and balance cost with longevity. Just because you have an old scrap of plywood lying against the back fence does not mean that you have to use it just to save a few dollars. You may opt for untabbed solar cells to offset the cost of a plexiglass frame over a wood frame. Finally, keep in mind that you will be working with electricity, so have fun, but always be safe.

Solar Power and Energy Top Tips

Solar Power and Energy Top Tips

An increasing number of people these days are turning to alternative sources of energy. It does not come as a surprise, what with fossil fuel prices going up by the day and the rising levels of environmental pollution. Renewable solar power has emerged as the frontrunner among all alternative sources of energy. The power of the sun can be harnessed to generate cheap, clean and renewable energy.

Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0

If you are a homeowner looking to reduce energy bills, then renewable solar power could be the right option for you. Making a solar power system for your home too is not that difficult a proposition. These days there are many useful guides available, which come with detailed step by step instructions, using which you, can the system yourself. In fact, the entire process could be weekend fun for the entire family. Let us take a look at some proven tips that can help you produce renewable solar power in your backyard.

Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0

Tip #1: You will first of all need to have a detailed plan about how you are going to set up the system that is going to produce renewable solar power for your home. Once you have got the plan, then you must get ready all the materials to make up for the various components that will go into making one. Plexiglass sheet, wires, solar cells, plywood and silicon sealant are some of the things that you will need.

Tip #2: You should choose the right location for placing the solar panels in your home. The place should be such which receives plenty of sunlight throughout the year. Ideally a terrace, balcony or a sprawling lawn are good places to place solar panels.

Tip #3: Make sure that using renewable solar power is allowed in your area. The rules generally differ between cities and it is always better that you check with the local authorities.

Making your own solar and wind power for less than 0

Homemade Solar Cell – How You Can Create Cheap Energy

Homemade Solar Cell – How You Can Create Cheap Energy

These days, everyone is talking about green energy, and many people are trying to find ways to reduce electricity costs and help our planet at the same time.

To that end, homemade solar panels are becoming very popular, as they create affordable, clean energy for residences.

It’s not only possible to lower energy costs with solar panels, but you can also earn money from the excess energy produced by your panels.

If you want to make your own homemade solar panels, you must also construct some homemade solar cells.

So, how do you go about making your very own solar cell? Well, first, there are some items that you will need:

Copper sheeting
Copper wire
Thin wood strips
Duct tape
Clear plastic sheeting (Plexiglass, Perspex or Acrylic)
An electric hob ring
Salt water
Emery cloth/Sand paper
A metal guillotine (not essential)
A bandsaw
If you are able to get hold of a metal guillotine, use it to cut a 6 to 8 inch square from the copper sheeting. A guillotine is the easiest method of doing this, but tin snips will work adequately, too.
Next, wash and dry your hands thoroughly. It is crucial that there is no grease on your hands or on the copper sheet. So, take a cloth and remove and dirt, debris or grease from the copper. Then, take a piece of emery and rub the copper down on both sides. When you have finished, the layer of oxidized copper should be gone, leaving you with bright red copper underneath.
Once this is completed, you will need to expose the copper to a heat treatment to form an oxide coating. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not as stupid as it sounds, because the layer you will add is different from the one you have removed. The oxide layer that you will now be placing on the copper is a cuprous oxide. So, place the copper over the highest temperature of your burner. In time, a black crust will begin to form on the copper. Once one side has been treated, leave the copper to cool. If you have nitric acid, this can be used to remove the black layer of oxide. If not, tap the copper plate on a hard surface to remove the loose debris then rub it with your fingers.
Now, you will need to construct a spacer with your pieces of thin wood. Use the duct tape to fasten the wood together, as nails could effect the components of the cell.
Take a piece of Perspex and stick your electrode wire (copper wire) to it. It is best to use a thick wire and you may want to place it in a zigzag form, as this allows you to see what’s going on. However, you want to block as little sunlight as possible.
Place duct tape on one side of the copper plate and fasten the Perspex front module to the plate. Obviously, the bright red oxidized side of the copper should face the Perspex. Then, seal the whole cell with duct tape to prevent leakage, but leave a small opening to add water.
Finally, add salt water to the space between the Perspex and the copper and seal the cell completely.

Then, all you need to do is to connect your homemade solar cell to a multimeter and let the sun do its thing.