| Picture a beautiful ranch with horses and cattle. In | | | | panel or panels, consisting of a series of PV cells, |
| the center of the picture stands a house that is | | | | which are combined to generate an electrical |
| totally self sufficient from the standpoint of | | | | current usable in real time. In the solar panel, PV |
| electrical power. There are three fundamental | | | | cells are linked together to generate an electrical |
| methods for achieving this outcome. Two are | | | | current which is the sum of the currents |
| mechanical. Wind and water turbines convert the | | | | produced by each cell. The serious DIY can obtain |
| movement of air (from the wind) or water (from | | | | PV cells, attach them to a plywood board, wire |
| a stream, for example) in to electricity. The solar | | | | them together, and cover them with glass for |
| panel, on the other hand, captures the energy | | | | protection. Buying a kit can provide the "less |
| from sunlight and converts it directly into direct | | | | handy" of us with an option which is still less than |
| current. While each has its virtues, only solar | | | | hiring a contractor but much less cumbersome |
| power generates electricity silently without | | | | since the part all contained in the kit. |
| involving moving parts. Thus, your solar panel | | | | Charge controller or regulator - This unit controls |
| system is not subject to the wear and tear of a | | | | the charging of the battery so as to prevent |
| system which generates electricity through the | | | | overcharging. It also tracks the battery discharge |
| movement of a turbine. | | | | status during the evening. By doing this, the |
| One important energy conservation tip is use of | | | | charge regulator maximizes the life of each |
| homemade solar panels to generate a clean, | | | | battery, thereby maximizing the efficiency of |
| renewable, ecologically-friendly alternative energy | | | | your solar energy system. |
| source power household appliances. If you are | | | | Battery - The electricity not immediately used is |
| interested in reducing dependence on fossil fuels | | | | stored by a battery or series of batteries. |
| while reducing your electricity costs this article can | | | | Deep-cycle or marine batteries are preferable to |
| get you started on the path to a "greener" home. | | | | automobile batteries because they are capable of |
| Why solar panels? With the ever-present threat | | | | storing all or virtually all of the electricity |
| of Global Warming looming over our heads, clean | | | | generated by the solar panels, thus minimizing |
| and renewable energy is an appealing alternative | | | | waste. Such batteries are capable of storing |
| to electricity generated from fossil fuels. Solar | | | | considerably more energy than the standard |
| energy can reduce the monthly cost of electricity. | | | | automobile battery. Can auto batteries be use? Of |
| It is a technology amenable to DIY projects. | | | | course, but remember, you will need more of |
| Solar panels harness the power of sunlight to | | | | them to do the same job. |
| generate electricity through the use of | | | | Inverter - Virtually all of our electrical appliances |
| photovoltaic (PV) cells. If money is no object, a | | | | utilize AC or Alternating Current, whereas the |
| contractor can be hired to obtain and install a solar | | | | electricity generated and stored in our solar |
| system for you. For those of us in the "other" | | | | powered system is DC or Direct Current. |
| category, there are other less expensive options. | | | | Therefore, the Inverter is the key to converting |
| These include purchasing solar panel kits, | | | | DC current into AC, creating electricity to power |
| refurbishing used solar panels, and the ultimate | | | | everything from your lights to the refrigerator. |
| DIY of making panels from component parts. | | | | This is the key to the conversion of energy from |
| Solar panels can create a more self-sufficient | | | | the sun into a form that can be used to power |
| household, which meets all or a large portion of | | | | your household appliances. |
| household electrical energy needs. The ideal | | | | If a solar panel system is designed with the intent |
| scenario would have the electricity generated | | | | of generating enough electricity to "sell back" to |
| exceed the household needs permitting electricity | | | | the Grid, then the components will include the AC |
| to be sold back to the Grid. | | | | Breaker Panel, and a Kilowatt-per-Hour Indicator. |
| Although the there are other component required | | | | The KW per Hour indicator, for example, is |
| for more complex systems, the basic elements | | | | necessary to track how much current is provided |
| of a homemade solar panel system include: | | | | to and from the grid to determine the charge or |
| -Solar panel(s) | | | | credit that appears on your monthly electric bill. |
| -Charge controller | | | | As you consider what path you will take on your |
| -Battery | | | | energy conservation quest, don't forget some of |
| -Inverter | | | | the least expensive and most cost-effective |
| Solar panel - The fundamental and essential | | | | options such as Energy-Saver fluorescent light |
| component of a solar energy system is the solar | | | | bulbs. |