Archives: 2009 June

In this article, I am going to talk about what each piece of a solar power system does, and what role the part plays in the system.  You don’t need every part in every solar project, but each component handles a particular job.  A typical solar power system produces electricity, stores it in batteries to be used later and then changes the DC electricity from the battery to the same kind of Alternating Current electricity that comes from the wall sockets in your home.

Solar Panels

Energy from the sun is converted into electricity by solar panels.  The panel has a layer of silicon.  When photons from sunlight strike the silicon, they knock loose electrons.  These electrons become electricity and are sent through wires.  Many solar cells, each of which generates about 1/2 volt are put together to make a single solar panel.  By putting together the correct number of solar cells, any voltage you need can be generated.  You can pretty cheaply and easily build your own solar panel and produce your own free electricity.  For a great guide to building your own solar panel, check out DIY Solar Panel

Charge Controller

The solar panels produce power and then send the power to a charge controller, which charges the batteries. The charge controller makes sure that the voltage going to the batteries is in the right range. In order to make sure that the batteries don’t overcharge it also slowly lowers the power sent to the batteries. Every once in a while after the batteries are fully charge, it will also “top off” the batteries to make sure they batteries stay fully charged. If you’re interested in more detailed information about charge controllers, take a look at Solar Charge Controller

Alternative green energy might be used to describe any unconventional system that is used to generate electric power or heating. There are two distinguishable types of alternative green energy. One is defined as renewable sources of energy and includes, wind power, solar power and various water power options. The second and most controversial types are described as earth-based sources of energy. This second type includes geothermal power and biofuels.

The alternative green energy that uses windmill technology is called wind power. The force of the wind against the blades of a mill is powerful enough to turn electricity turbines. Windmills do have the disadvantage of being unsightly when they are sited with enough density across open terrain. People living close to them have also complained of their noise. Despite these drawbacks, wind power is still classified as a very efficient green energy.

Solar energy is a popular alternative green energy system. The energy of the sun could potentially be harnessed to power every home on the planet. Solar power is used to heat water that is fed into pipes for heating and hot water supply. Solar heated water can be transformed into hydrogen gas which is used for driving turbines. Solar energy can also be converted into direct electricity with photovoltaic solar panels. It is often argued that the production of solar cells is expensive and creates its’ own environmental problems.

One individual is not going to change the world, but we can make a difference as individuals. We may recycle, we may help others, and we can make our own power with DIY Windmills or solar or geothermal or what have you. When we accomplish these things we set an model and other like minded people may follow.

Sooner than you know it not just do you own a DIY windmill but 5 out of the 20 people on your street have their personal DIY windmills. Think about it, carry that through and possibly in a few years 1 out each 100 homes in the US is generating their own power in one way or another. Do you have any thought how much oil we won’t have to utilize when that happens?

It won’t be long and DIY windmills and other types of self generating power will be as common as recycling is today! There are just too many benefits to making your own power.

1.You will save hundreds of dollars each time you get your power bill! 2. Our kids will thank us for what we do to save energy now. 3. You may spend your reserves on more significant things. 4. You will feel great knowing you are taking action and helping the planet

These are simply a a small number of of the 1000’s of reasons why DIy windmills make sense. The fact is that there in fact is no reason why we all shouldn’t be generating our own electricity in one way or another. Price isn’t a basis, with DIY windmills costing less than $200 nearly everybody can afford it. Three companies offer guides that are so easy to follow and have such great support anyone can do it.