Solar Power for the RV

Everyone likes to get away for the weekend and when you get a chance to there is a lot of fun in taking a recreational vehicle, or RV, to go camping in. Your RV could be a pull behind camper or a camper that you can drive. What ever you use RV's usually run off of electricity from another source or they have battery powered lights. When you use electric hook up in a camper you may want to consider turning your RV into a solar powered RV and never worry about electric hook ups again. Enjoy your vacation anywhere without restrictions.

Once you hook up to a power source you are able to have the comforts of home by turning on and off the lights and using the bathroom. If you cannot access a power outlet you may use a generator to supply power to the camper. These generators are nice in a pinch but you have the problems of running out of fuel to keep it going not to mention the noise that it makes. If you want to turn your RV into a solar power RV it is simple to do and with little expense. There are a number of different products that you can buy to make camping fun and modern with little or no effort.

You can mount a solar panel to the RV camper in order to charge your energy in your RV. This is done by purchasing a solar panel mounting bracket that your solar panel will set on. You can buy RV solar panel kits that include both the mount and the panel. Once it is installed you can power your camper and batteries using the suns warmth that was already there and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to do so. Run your solar panel wire to the battery compartment and you are ready to go. Each solar powered kit offers different wattages and sizes so you can select the right one for your RV size and what you will be using.

When you are out on a camping trip you can feel good knowing that you can go anywhere you need to go. Your solar panel on top of your RV will also withstand any type of weather and because a camper is so small it won't take much solar power to operate the RV. Another hot solar powered item to buy for your RV is called the Solar Power Ventilator. This provides the perfect ventilation system for small quarters, such as RV's. When it is hot in the summer or anytime that the sun is shining it doesn't take long for the RV to heat up and become very uncomfortable. The solar power ventilator will run all the hot air out and circulate the air with clean fresh air.

When you take the RV out you want to enjoy your time in the great outdoors without giving up the fact that you have to rely on a power source or go without power completely. If you have to go without power you may find that it is inconvenient and hard to do, especially when you purchase an RV because of the way that it is convenient.

Should You Invest in Solar Power?

Solar power is quickly gaining popularity all over the globe. It is growing at a rate of 2% per year, and if the figures continue to grow, solar energy will be the preferred source of energy worldwide. Most modern nations are encouraging people to rely on this renewable resource so that they can save more and help conserve the environment. The trend can continue to provide benefits for decades to come if well-maintained. Here are some more tips and tricks.

About Location  

First, you have to consider your current location. Are there a lot of clouds or does it rain or snow frequently? How much sunlight do you get per day? Some locations are very ideal for installing solar cell panels, while other people may do better with an electrical or battery source. Places that get around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day at least can do well with a solar energy system. Preferably, tropical and desert areas should start investing in a solar energy system to get the most benefits. Determine the angle of the sun to know which spots are most ideal for installation.  


About Resource  

Are there any available hardware stores that offer the needed parts for your solar energy system setup? Will ordering online be easy and convenient? Are there agencies or professionals who can offer reliable and quality services to install and maintain the solar cell panels. Are the materials affordable and of good quality? These are some questions you need to consider to get the best deals. Ordering online will depend on your location and the mode of transportation. If you think that setting up and maintaining the system will be difficult, it might be better to wait until the technology is more rampant in your area.

About Budget

Solar cell systems are generally costly in the beginning. Later on, you will realize that the costs will start to go down, since the energy stemming from the sun is free and available all the time. You should consider your budget by determining the area that needs to be covered with solar panels. Budget is vital so that you do not go overboard and overspend on things that you do not truly need. You should also consider the gadgets and devices that will be powered via solar means.

Longevity

A well-maintained solar energy system will last for 30 years if you keep it properly. Other setups may only last for a number of months or weeks at most if external conditions are very harsh or can damage the material easily. You can choose to create your own solar cells or just purchase from a source. The longevity of the setup will depend on the quality of the material, the use and applications. Price does not immediately equate to quality or longevity. You should know more about the available brands and check if there are any differences with regards to feature that will ultimately enhance the lifespan. Ask for recommendations from friends and others who have tried the setup.

How to Build Your Own Solar Cell

Solar panels are already considered very cost effective because these provide renewable source of energy. You can actually save more by making your own solar panels, instead of having to buy from a store or hiring a pro to do the installation. You can get a lot of financial benefits by maintaining the material properly. Expect solar panels to last for up to 3 decades if well-maintained. Here are some tips on how to begin your project.

Starting Out 


Begin with the sandpaper and use it to scour the different regions of the copper of one of the available sheets. There should be no corrosion whatsoever on the copper for the process. Wash the copper sheeting using water, soap and either a sponge or a towel. You should allow oil from your hands to get on the copper. Tower the copper until dry. Make sure that you do not touch it directly. Use tongs to position the copper on the hot plate. Switch the hotplate on as warm and hot as possible.

Cook the copper using red hot heats for about 30 minutes. Use a thick black layer of oxides and allow to form at the surface of the copper. Be sure that you do not leave the copper unattended while you are cooking. The oxide layer and the copper below it will cool at various speeds, leading the two to separate. The process can be violent and can lead to accidents if not properly done. Be sure that you do not get too close or leave flammable items near. It will take around 20 minutes to cool everything to room temperature.

More on the Process

Wash the copper in plain water carefully. This will ensure that you get majority of the black pieces off. The red layer of cuprous oxide should remain on the metal. This will form right under the layer of cupric oxide. Get the cooked copper sheet plus the uncooked sheet then fit these into the plastic bottle. Bend each sheet outward so that no part of the two sheets will stay in contact with each other.

It is important that you clip one of the available alligator leads to the top of each sheet to connect these to the meter. The positive terminal of the meter must link to the uncooked sheet. The negative terminal must link to the cooked sheet. Dissolve two tablespoons of salt into a few cups of water. Pour right into the plastic bottle, allowing the water level to rise about 1 inch from the top of the sheet. Put the bottle out in the sun and observe the meter. The meter should rise consistently to about 50 micro-amps. Place the bottle in the shade and allow the meter to go down below ten. Finally, you have created your own solar cell.

More on Building

You can expect to finish the entire process in just 3 to 4 hours. It is important that you check out the different available resources first at your local hardware store and online so that you can get the most out of your budget. You should also consult a pro and other people who have tried building their own solar cell panels so that you can maximize the effect and get the energy you need to power your various devices.

Solar Panels – Pvs At Work

What is PV solar power? You have heard the term, but you are unsure as to its meaning. You are vaguely aware that solar power has something to do with making energy from sunlight. But what is PV solar power? Is it different from other kinds of solar power?

PV solar power is different from other types. Of the two main categories of solar power, active and passive, PV solar power is active. Let's look at it.

Solar Panel

Active solar power relies on solar panels. You may picture them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops.

There are two main types of solar panel. From a distance, both look like rectangular boxes. Both convert sunlight into energy, but in two different ways. The terms for the two solar panel types are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module.

1. Solar thermal collector: This solar panel takes in solar energy from the sun and uses it to heat air or water.

2. Photovoltaic module: This second type of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.
Meet the PV

To answer the question, what is PV solar power, we must know what the PV is. The short answer is that PV refers to a photovoltaic module. "P" is for photo and "V" for voltaic.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "photovoltaic" this way.

"of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances."

In simpler terms, "photo" refers to sunlight and "voltaic" refers to electrical energy. PV panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. Sunlight flows into the solar panel. Electrical energy flows out of the solar panel.

A PV solar panel is made up of many photovoltaic (light to volts) cells. These cells are electrically connected, and then covered with glass. The glass provides electrical insulation. It is also good protection from weather and other damaging forces.

When minimal energy is needed, such as that necessary to power a small appliance, a single PV solar panel is sufficient. When more power is needed, an "array" of solar panels is created by connecting panels to one another. If the power will not be supplied to the power grid, the solar panel(s) is connected to a charge controller, and battery. If it is intended for on-grid use, the solar panel array will be connected to an electrical inverter.

What Is PV Solar Power?

PV solar power is solar energy in the form of sunlight, which has been collected by a photovoltaic module, and converted into usable electricity.

Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable electricity. That isn't much. Late in 2006, however, a new solar cell was introduced. Solar panels that utilize the new cell can convert into electricity 22 percent of the sunlight they collect. Theoretically, the maximum that the cells of a solar panel can convert is said to be around 26 to 27 percent of incoming sunlight.

How does it work? Let's look at a very simple explanation.

Each photovoltaic cell in a PV solar panel is a semiconductor. When sunlight hits those cells, a certain part of the sunlight is absorbed by those silicon cells. The cells take in that part of the sunlight's energy. The cells then transfer the absorbed sunlight's energy to the electrons in the silicon. The electrons begin to flow, and this creates an electrical current. Metal contacts built into the top and bottom of the PV cells draw off that current and it is sent to the grid or battery. It is now usable electricity. The power grid sends it on its way, if you have used an on-grid connection. If you are using a battery, it is stored in the battery awaiting your need.

PV solar power is being used increasingly with great success, and while it is true that cloud cover can affect it, the cloudy country of Germany leads the world in successful use of solar panels.

The Cost of Solar Energy System

Solar energy is free but the tools that will enable you to harness this free energy are not.

If you are planning to install a solar energy system right at your home and would like to know how much it would cost, there are 3 things you need to consider:

First, the cost depends on how much energy your household requires. More energy you require means more solar panels and higher cost of installation. The good thing is, the technology to harness the power of the sun is relatively cheaper than it was several years ago.

Second, the government is offering a rebate to those who will switch to alternative form of energy. That means, the government will shoulder a portion of the total cost of the system.    
Third, you can get tax credits when you switch to solar energy system. The amount of tax rebate depends from state to state but the range can go from $1000 to $2000.  

All these affect the overall cost of your installation.
A photovoltaic system can cost roughly at $8000 to $10000 per 1kW system. This equates to $8 to $10 per Watt. An average American household with 3 bedrooms requires at least 1.5kW to as much as 3kW. Thus, installation can cost from $14000 to $30000, before rebates and tax credits.

Government rebate varies from state to state. As a reference, an average California household that requires 1.5kW system can get as much as $4200 rebate (1.5kW= 1500 watts x $2.80 per watt = $4200).

A household that requires 3kW system can get as much as $8400 (3kW= 3000 watts x $2.80 per watt = $8400).

Before, tax credit goes as much as 30% but it is lowered to 7.5% of system cost after rebate.

So an average household with 1.5kW system can get $735 ($14000 - $4200 x 7.5% = $735) worth of tax credit while the 3kW system can get $1620 ($30000 - $8400 x 7.5% = $1620) worth of tax credit.

Example A: 1.5kW system

Cost of solar electric system: $14000
Less rebate: $4200
Less tax credit: $735

Cost of the system after rebate and tax credit: $9065

Example B: 3kW system

Cost of solar electric system: $30000
Less rebate: $8400
Less tax credit: $1620

Cost of the system after rebate and tax credit: $19980

Again, these are rough estimates just to give you an idea of the cost of installing solar energy system. They do not represent real figures.

Top tips:

Energy independent home has higher resale value and is more preferred by home buyers. So, if you are planning to sell your home in several years, installing solar energy system does not only provide substantial saving on electric bill, it also is a good home improvement option.

If you want to finance the cost of your solar energy installation, include it in your mortgage.

If you want to reduce your electricity load, switch to energy efficient appliances. Buy electric appliances with ENERGY STAR seal.

Low energy requirement means lower installation cost.

Residents of areas with higher electricity rate can benefit most on solar energy system.

If you can't afford the photovoltaic system, you can install solar hot water system that costs roughly from $2000 to $4000.

Solar energy is best for houses that are located far from the existing power lines.