When starting a new home DIY solar energy project, one of the many question asked by a beginner is: What component parts will I need to complete my solar energy project? Before you start connecting together the individual component parts on your roof, it helps to get a good quality solar guide that will walk you step by step through the whole process of building, installing and setting up your own home solar energy system. Aside from the obvious of time, tools and instructions, let us look at the basic components you will need to go solar.

For installing a grid-tied solar power system for your home, there are basically 7 main components you will need and we will organise these in the order in which they will be connected into your home solar energy system.

1. Solar Panels -

In most home DIY installations these panels will be built by you from individual parts. You can order discount photovoltaic cells online, and assemble these into complete 80W, 100W, or 120W Solar Panels. But if you do not have the time or skills to build a solar panel from scratch, there are plenty of commercially available panels to choose from. Once built, individual panels are wired together to make larger solar arrays.

2. Solar Array Disconnect -

This is basically just an electrical switch but is an important part of the system. It allows you to disconnect and cut-off the DC power output from your solar panels and array should any repairs be required or if there is a problem with the solar system. This disconnect switch needs to be strong enough to handle the full power output from the panels on a bright sunny day.

3. Battery Charge Controller -

Most home solar systems are built with a battery backup included for when the sun does not shine such as on dull days or at night. The battery charge controller ensures that a consistent amount of electrical power is sent to the batteries so that they are not over charged, and to ensure that the backup batteries do not discharge back through the system at night. In many ways this component is similar to your automotive battery charger so will not be too expensive.

4. Deep Cycle Batteries -

In order to store the solar power generated by your solar panels, your solar system will need deep cycle batteries. Deep cycle batteries are not the same as shallow charge automotive batteries which are designed with thinner lead plates for cars. Deep cycle storage batteries for solar systems are more robust and are designed for the type of charging and discharging cycles they need to endure. New deep cycle batteries are expensive but reconditioned batteries are cheaper. Better still, you may be able to get old dead batteries for free used previously in fork trucks, golf carts, and electric buggies and recondition them yourself.

5. System Power Meter -

This can be optional, but it is listed here as its inclusion will give you a clear way to see how much free solar power is being supplied to your home from your solar panels. Having a system power meter also helps you improve your system to gain the maximum efficiency from your solar installation as well as having the advantage of letting your neigbours know how much money your solar system is saving.

6. Solar Power Converter -

Your solar panels generate DC power, and your home runs on mains AC power, the solar power converter converts the solar energy from the panels into usable energy in the home by providing the DC to AC conversion using electronic switching techniques. In practical terms, the converter allows us to run electric drills, computers, vacuum cleaners, mains lighting, and most other mains electrical appliances that can be plugged into the wall sockets of your solar panels. There are many square wave, sine wave modified wave converters on the market but a good quality 1200W converter likely won't cost you more than $100.

7. Backup Power -

This for when the sun does not shine and the batteries are empty. Most systems will include some sort of backup power. In a stand alone installation this would generally be a diesel generator. In a grid-tied system the utility grid itself would provide the backup power through the converter. But a backup power source can also be a wind turbine or a water wheel as part of a small scale hydro system.

Once you have your 7 components installed, your solar power system gets wired into your normal home electrical panel and unless you are qualified, it may be necessary to get a qualified electrician to connect up the system. Now that you know what 7 components you will need to get your home solar energy system up and running the savings made on building your own panels and sourcing the materials will more than pay for the additional qualified help.

So whether you build your own solar panels from scratch or buy pre-made commercial panels, using solar energy to power your home can be easier than you think. With a grid connected system you can even sell excess electricity you do not use back to the utility company who have been selling it to you for all these years giving you an additional income.

Alternative Energy Tutorials is dedicated to helping and showing you what you need to make Solar Energy a reality, and to help you on your way consider downloading one of the solar guides about homemade solar panel construction from the tutorials website ensuring that you have the necessary information to get your solar energy installation working efficiently and effectively the first time.

When you are trying to figure out the right solar panel set up for your commercial business, there are numerous factors that need to be kept in mind during the process. You first need to be familiar with solar panels and how they work, though you don't have to know the specifics of them.

Solar panels use sunlight to produce electricity by converting it into usable electricity using photovoltaic cells. You will need to place them either on the roof of your building or around the property; they will need to be in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. If you own a business and you are thinking about getting commercial solar panels for Mornington Peninsula buildings, there are some things that you need to consider first.

1. Assess the Facility

In order to find the right solar panel to accommodate your commercial needs when it comes to solar for business requirements, the property will need to be assessed. You can work with a professional in solar power who can figure out whether or not your building is suitable for solar power. They can also make recommendations depending on the amount of space you have and how your building is positioned in relation to the sun.

2. Understand Size

You also need to understand size and why it matters when it comes to your solar energy set up. In some cases you may note that inverter size is increased, which can give an exaggeration of how much power your system has. The inverter is not everything, so you need to look at other facets when it comes to energy production and capacity as well as performance. In this case, your best bet is to speak with a solar energy expert.

3. Quality of Panels

When you are comparing solar panels, you need to look at their efficiency as well as the efficiency of inverters. Even though you may want to focus on solar panel efficiency, this will not tell you how much energy your system will actually produce. The greater the efficiency of the inverter, the more electricity your solar for business will generate and the lower your electricity costs will be.

4. Shade Tolerance

In all cases, you should not have commercial solar panels on Mornington Peninsula businesses in the shade. If your roof is situated in a shady area, you're not going to get as much energy production and your panels will not be efficient. You may see panels that are branded to be tolerant to shade, but your panels should only be exposed to minimal shade at any point no matter what. This is one of the reasons it is extremely important to work with professionals, as you will find your system highly inefficient if it is not set up properly.

When you are getting commercial solar panels installed on your building, keep these considerations in mind if you want to make sure that your system is as efficient and productive as possible.

If you are on the lookout for an efficient air purifier, make sure you don't forget about some essential factors. The two of the most important tones are ACH ratings and HEPA filtration. Given below is the list of some important factors that must be taken into account before you make this purchase. Read on to find out more.

1. Consider the size of your room

If you think you can install just any air purifier regardless of the size of your, you are going to make a big mistake. If you have a big room, make sure you check out different air purifiers, consult the customer service representatives, and then decide on a good unit.

With a small unit, you won't be able to purify the air inside a large room. Therefore, considering the size of the unit is one of the most essential factors when it comes to purchasing this device.

2. Don't buy a noisy unit

Will you be able to sleep in your bedroom with a lot of noise generated by an air purifier? Like most people, you won't be able to sleep well if your air purifier is making a lot of noise throughout the night.

Therefore, you should choose an air purifier that does not produce noise more than 70 DB at full speed.

3. Check for HEPA Filters

What makes HEPA filters so special is their ability to filter at least 99.99% of particles in the air. Apart from this, some of these air purifiers are designed to purify the gases and foul odors. These units contain activated carbon filters in addition to HEPA filters.

4. Check the certification

Some domestic products come with claims that they can help control allergens. However, the reality is that most of these claims are full of exaggeration. If you want to make an informed decision, you should look for the certification of a product. These products pass a number of tests to make sure they can filter out harmful particles in an effective manner.

5. Go for a higher ACH rating

This is an interesting credit rating. It tells you how many times all of the air in your room has been filtered in one hour. So, what you need to do is invest in a unit that comes with a higher ACH rating. The good thing is that these units are known for their higher efficiency.

Therefore, if you want to avoid asthma and allergies, experts suggest that you purchase a unit that comes with a rating of a minimum of 4x. Since these units are much faster, they can purify your indoor air several times in 60 minutes.

6. Avoid units with Ozone Emission

The downside of some of these air purifiers is that they generate ozone continuously while filtering your indoor air. Since ozone is bad for your respiratory system, it is better that you avoid units that generate ozone while operating.

7. Upkeep

Most consumer-grade air purifiers come with a price tag of around $100. However, the price varies on the basis of a number of factors, such as the brand, size, and the type of filters. Apart from this, we suggest that you consider the maintenance factor before making your final call

In short, keeping these factors in mind can help you decide on the right type of air purifier to satisfy your needs.

Whether you are a home or office user, we suggest that you look for the best air purifier to meet your needs. Maintaining your indoor air quality is essential if you want to stay away from a lot of common respiratory infections and diseases. Read on to find out more.

1. Maintenance Cost

With proper maintenance, your air purifiers will continue to work properly for years to come. Before you purchase a device, we suggest that you follow some cleaning and maintenance tips. After all, you don't want to end up spending a lot of money on the units.

2. Filter Replacement

If you have plans to invest in a HEPA air purifier, don't forget to find out about the replacement cost of these filters. Based on the usage and air quality in your house, the lifespan of these filters may be short or long.

Generally, they don't last more than 2000 hours. Apart from this, you must replace the filters after a period of 7 months. The LED on the unit may also turn on to indicate that a filter needs to be replaced.

3. Automatic Monitoring

Make sure that the air purifier comes with an automatic monitoring option. This will help you get an idea of the air pollution level in your house. Moreover, the device features an infrared detector. Therefore, you can easily adjust the speed of the device.

4. Noise Level

The noise level is another important factor that you must consider before making this purchase. We suggest that you go for a larger unit as you can run it at a slower speed to reduce noise level and maintain efficiency.

5. Power Consumption

Unlike other appliances, the power consumption of these units is different. Since you have to keep these devices running 24/7, don't make the mistake of ignoring the power consumption of these devices.

Generally, most of these units consume between 50 and 200 watts. It is a good idea to purchase one that is cost-effective in terms of power consumption.

6. Reputation of the Manufacturer

Before purchasing your desired device, make sure that the manufacturers you are purchasing from are reputable. You can easily find out about the reputation of the provided by reading reviews. Customer experience can tell you a lot about the reputation of the brand.

7. Warranty

If you are going to purchase a unit for several years, make sure you consider the warranty information. Before purchasing a device, the primary components of the device should be covered under warranty.

8. After Sales Service

Don't forget to know more about the after-sales service of the manufacturer. Once you purchase the device, you may run into problems. Therefore, you may have to contact the manufacturer to evaluate the device and get it repaired.

9. Efficacy

The efficacy of the device can be different for different models. Therefore, you may want to make sure that you're not you are going to purchase comes with a higher level of efficiency.

Long story short, before you purchase your desired air purifier from your favorite manufacture, we suggest that you consider these primary pointers. They will help you avoid some common mistakes and make an informed decision.

As far as air pollution levels are concerned, some countries have been hit hard, such as India. If you are from any of these countries, we suggest that you take steps to improve your indoor air quality. As a matter of fact, an air purifier makes the perfect gift for your family. But if you are not familiar with these units, you may need help to choose one. In this article, we are going to talk about 6 parameters that you must consider before purchasing these devices for the first time. Read on to find out more.

1. Types of Filters

Although air purifiers are made from various components, filters are on top of the list. Ideally, your desired unit should contain a filter that is based on HEPA Technology. Actually, these filters contain layers that can filter different sorts of harmful particles, such as PM10 and PM2.5 particles.

These tiny particles may continue to accumulate in your lungs. As a result, you may find it difficult to breathe. In addition, you may suffer from different types of ailments and diseases.

2. Indicators

Another important factor is to look for units that contain indicators. These are light-based indicators. The role of these indicators is to alert the user when the air quality is too bad. Some of these devices may feature blue, orange, or red lights.

If you get a high-end unit, you may enjoy a live monitor that will give you accurate readings in real-time. But the downside is that these devices are more expensive.

3. CADR Score and Size of your Room

Since one type of air purifier may not cover all your needs, we suggest that you consider some essential factors before placing your order. For example, if you have a big room, you cannot purify the air inside it using a small unit.

In a big room, installing a small purifier is not a good idea. These small units will consume a lot of energy but won't be able to purify all of the air inside the room. Therefore, you should get a unit that comes with a higher CADR rating.

4. Filter Replacement

If you have a vacuum cleaner, you know that it needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Similarly, you need to take care of the maintenance of your air purifier as well. After a certain period, the filters become clogged and need to be replaced for the proper functioning of the unit.

Make sure that you get a unit that does not require a lot of maintenance. In other words, the filter should be easy to clean and replace.

5. Energy Usage

Since you will need to run your air purifier from the morning till midnight, you may want to consider the power rating of the unit. If your desired unit is large, it will consume a lot of energy. Besides, you need to consider the noise level of the model before placing your order. Large units require a lot of power. Therefore, you will have to pay higher monthly energy bills. So, these factors should be considered as well.

6. App Connectivity

Although this feature is not required, you may find it useful if the device can connect to your mobile phone through a mobile app. With this type of app, you can monitor your device from anywhere in the world.

Long story short, we suggest that you give these six factors a thought before purchasing your first air purifier.

Unpredictable weather such as storms and flood are a part of life. Therefore, it is important to take the time to prepare your family and property.

There are a number of simple steps you can take to protect personal safety, preserve electrical equipment and deal with potential damage to the home's electrical system. Make sure you are electrically safe by following these 7 tips:

1. Put safety first

Don't attempt do-it-yourself repairs if your property suffers storm damage, including your home's electrical system and any electrical appliances affected. Be ready before a storm or wet season.

- Install a safety switch and test it regularly.

- Know where to turn off your power, gas and water supply in an emergency.

- Pack up electrical equipment that's not in use and store in a safe place.

2. Protect the system

Ask an electrician with experience in domestic electrical services about having lightning protection installed in your switchboard to protect all appliances.

3. Unplug before the storm

• Unplug outside TVs and non-fixed aerials and store in a dry area.

• When a storm approaches switch off and unplug sensitive appliances or equipment.

• Shut down your solar PV system using the safe isolation procedure.

4. Don't connect during the storm

Don't use equipment directly connected to electricity, including the stove, during a storm.

• If you've lost power, turn off your power points and unplug electrical equipment.

• Don't use a fixed telephone during a thunderstorm - it can deliver an electric shock.

• If flood waters are expected, shift electrical equipment to higher locations.

5. Be cautious of wires

Don't go outside to check the damage before an electrician arrives, especially during a storm, as fallen power lines are easily concealed and can be deadly.

• If you are in a car, stay away from power lines, trees and watercourses. Stay in your vehicle.

• If you have a solar PV system that has been damaged in a flood, storm or cyclone you need to have an electrical contractor inspect the system and check it is safe.

• Check your electrical appliances and equipment. Using water-damaged equipment can result in electric shocks and fires.

6. Call an electrician before your energy distributor

If the wires have been torn down in a black out, most houses will require internal repairs before the power can be reconnected.

• Dispose of or have a licensed electrical contractor repair water-affected household electrical items, such as kettles, toasters and televisions.

• Call a licensed electrician to check all hard-wired electrical appliances, such as air-conditioning units or stoves, intended for re-use. This safety check may be required before the power supply can be reconnected.

7. Be confident in your contractor

If you suffer storm damage connect with a local electrician. If you are using power from generators, it can be dangerous if incorrectly managed.

• Connect your generator to your house electrical wiring using a generator change-over switch and appropriate socket. These switches must be installed by a licensed electrical contractor.

• Do not connect your generator to your house using a power point on a power circuit or any other connection point. This can cause dangerous 'back-feeding'.

During storm seasons, it is definitely worth being extra cautious with your home electrical systems and equipment. The practical stops you take could reduce the risk of electrical fires and safeguard your family from any potential hazards.

Solar power is the key to a clean energy future. Every day, the sun gives off far more energy than we need to power everything on earth. That’s why we’re investing heavily in solar plants and why we are now offering solar kits to our customers in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available, and the U.S. has some of the richest solar resources in the world. Solar technologies can harness this energy for a variety of uses, including generating electricity, providing light or a comfortable interior environment, and heating water for domestic, commercial, or industrial use.

Types of solar energy

There are three types of solar energy:

• Photovoltaic solar energy: used to produce electricity;

• Solar thermal energy: used to heat water;

• Passive solar energy: which directly takes advantage of sunlight.

1. Photovoltaic Solar Power

The type of energy is made by converting solar energy into electricity to be stored and utilized later. This conversion is done by using photovoltaic solar cells. Light hitting a photovoltaic cell is converted into electricity by semiconductors. A photovoltaic panel consists of several cells producing direct current, which is then converted into alternating current by an inverter. These Panels can be used in small systems or large plants to generate energy from the biggest renewable energy source; Sun.

Solar electricity, Photovoltaic cooling, Photovoltaic solar lighting are the solar applications we can use to take advantage of photovoltaic solar power.

2. Solar Thermal Energy

This Energy is used to satisfy heating needs by capturing the energy of the sun for heating applications such as buildings, water or swimming pools. Solar thermal power can be used for traditional heating applications to satisfy human needs. 

In recent times many developments in solar thermal technology have been made which makes these systems more reliable and more efficient. New technologies are re-imagining solar thermal systems by incorporating photovoltaic (PV) components in it.

3. Passive solar energy?

Photovoltaic solar energy and solar thermal energy use different technology to capture and process the sun’s energy. This is known as active solar energy. However, solar energy can also be used in a passive way, meaning without needing any type of mechanism to collect and use it. This is the oldest method to take advantage of solar radiation.

What is solar energy used for?

There are many uses of solar energy. The most common uses are:

• Generate electricity;

• Heat water;

• Produce “solar cold” and heating;

• Water crops;

• Illuminate exterior areas;

• Solar cars and other inventions.

Solar energy: pros and cons

Solar energy has pros and cons. It’s important to find an energy that works for you, and determining if solar energy will fit into your daily lifestyle is a priority. Here are some factors to consider when deciding which energy choice is right for you.

1. Advantages of Solar Energy

• Lowers your Electricity Bills

• Environmentally Friendly

• Moves us Closer Towards Energy Independence

• Sustainable

• Low Maintenance

• Benefits the Electricity Grid

2. Disadvantages of Solar Energy

• Expensive Initial Investment

• It Won’t Work at Night

• Limited Energy Storage

• Space Constraints

• Isn’t 100% Pollution-Free

• Depends on Location

How does solar energy work?

STEP 1:  SUNLIGHT ACTIVATES THE PANELS.

Each individual panel is constructed of a layer of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing surrounded by a special film, and wiring.  For maximum effect, the panels are grouped together into “arrays” (an ordered series) and placed on rooftops or in large outdoor spaces.  The solar cells, which are also referred to as photovoltaic cells, absorb sunlight during daylight hours.  

STEP 2:  THE CELLS PRODUCE ELECTRICAL CURRENT.

Within each solar cell is a thin semiconductor wafer made from two layers of silicon. One layer is positively charged, and the other negatively charged, forming an electric field. When light energy from the sun strikes a photovoltaic solar cell, it energizes the cell and causes electrons to ‘come loose’ from atoms within the semiconductor wafer. Those loose electrons are set into motion by the electric field surrounding the wafer, and this motion creates an electrical current. 

STEP 3: THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY IS CONVERTED.

You now have solar panels working efficiently to transform sunlight into electricity, but the electricity generated is called direct current (or DC) electricity, which is not the type of electricity that powers most homes, which is alternating current (or AC) electricity. Fortunately, DC electricity can easily be changed into AC electricity by a gadget called an inverter. In modern solar systems, these inverters can be configured as one inverter for the entire system or as individual microinverters attached behind the panels.

STEP 4:  THE CONVERTED ELECTRICITY POWERS YOUR HOME.

Once the solar energy has been converted from DC to AC electricity, it runs through your electrical panel and is distributed within the home to power your appliances. It works exactly the same way as the electrical power generated through the grid by your electric utility company, so nothing within the home needs to change. Since you still remain connected to your traditional power company, you can automatically draw additional electricity to supplement any solar shortages from the grid.

STEP 5:  A NET METER MEASURES USAGE.

On cloudy days and overnight, your solar shingles or panels may not be able to capture enough sunlight to use for energy; conversely, in the middle of the day when nobody is home, they may collect surplus energy—more than you need to operate your home. That’s why a meter is used to measure the electricity flowing in both directions—to and from your home.Your utility company will often provide credits for any surplus power you send back to the grid. This is known as net metering.

So what exactly is solar energy? And how could we convert it from a “beam” to electrical energy that irrigates our homes with the electricity they need? Does employing this clean, renewable energy have any negatives or limitations? We will answer all these questions in this article, digging into the details of solar energy and how it is received and converted into other forms of energy through solar panels.

Solar energy uses

As we mentioned earlier, the amount of solar energy that our sun emits is very enormous, and what reaches our planet in one day is capable of generating 200,000 times the daily electrical energy we need. But although solar energy itself is completely clean and free, the process of collecting, converting and storing it is very expensive, and this actually limits our use of it.

Solar energy can be employed and converted into two types of energy, thermal energy and electrical energy, and thermal energy is easier to obtain than electric.

Solar energy applications

One of the most important applications of solar energy, especially photovoltaic, is its use in transportation and transportation, for example:

•  In 2013, Australia introduced the first solar-powered bus, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and preserve the environment because an estimated 30% of air pollution is caused by vehicle exhaust. Solar panels.

• “Planet Solar” boat: It works entirely on solar energy, and it can accommodate on board approximately 60 people. This energy allows it to work for 72 hours, even during the night, and at its maximum speed, which reaches 26 km / h.

• Solar Impulse: It is a unique aircraft that operates using solar energy, whether day or night. The organizers of this project hope to launch the first round-the-world flight with this aircraft.

Electric power generation

Photovoltaic solar panels directly generate a continuous electric current (DC), and through this current the electrons move within the electrical circuit in one direction, and by placing a lamp in the path of this current we will be able to operate it as is the case in various types of batteries, and solar energy can also be used to generate an alternating electric current where Electrons are pushed and pulled alternately, generating electric current, just as in a car engine, when the wires are wound along with a magnet, which can be done by many renewable energy sources such as wind, coal, as well as solar energy.

The alternating current electricity was chosen in the US grid, mainly because of the low cost of transmitting it over long distances, and it could be converted at any time to DC using an inverter.