Google

Get Your Own Solar Energy At Home

July 27th, 2008

Many in the solar industry are experiencing change; how silicon is manufactured and in what form it is in when transformed into solar cells, how installations will occur in “kits” or modular systems to limit complexity and time, and how solar systems can now be rented versus purchased outright. There is a new awareness for solar electric systems and how cleaner, greener, energy options are now available for American homeowners.

Popped from their “holes” in the silicon atom, electrons flow through solar PV cells connected in series to produce useful electric voltage. This concept and a little more is the focus of this article. The United States is at the beginning of a huge, wide-spread, pervasive switch to solar energy as a primary energy source for our homes. The manufacturing costs are down, awareness and need is up, and new options to rent solar systems versus having to buy them all line up perfectly.

How do solar PV cells create an electric current?

The remainder of this article explains some of the details related to the internal workings of solar cells and how their arrangement, when placed into a solar array mounted on your roof can make a big difference in the energy output of your solar system.

The internal electric field of the silicon diode creates a flow of electric charges only when sunlight photons strike the silicon. As the photons hit electrons in silicon bonds, they create hole-electron pairs that are free to separate and wander around the silicon lattice or crystalline structure. Free electrons wandering near the p/n junction are pushed in one direction by the internal electric field.

This movement of electronics as a result of the photoelectric effect results in a steady flow of electric charges moving in a circuit within the silicon structure, i.e. an electric current. The flow is directly proportional to the intensity of light and the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells included in the solar PV panel. The greater the sunlight hitting the silicon atom the greater the number of electrons bumped free. Ultimately, this creates a greater number of electrons flowing in and out of the silicon and into the solar inverter.

This whole continuous movement of electrons illustrates why it is so important for all solar cells in a module or solar array to get the same intensity of sunlight. It is important for the solar panels to receive the sunlight from the same direction and not to be shaded by trees or buildings. The exact number of photons from the sun must must strike each solar cell in order to bump the corresponding number of electrons in the next solar cell. In essence, the photons from the sun hit the silicon and cause a chain reaction within the silicon.

The additional movement of free silicon electrons, in and out of the holes produced in the silicon atoms, creates the electric current and flow of energy. Think of a game of billiards; the pool player hits the white ball which in turn hits the green ball into the pocket. This occurs in a chain reaction fashion as you add more balls each hitting each other. The little twist here is the fact that the sun will continually hit the white ball (i.e. the sun photon hitting the silicon atom) as long as the sunlight hits the solar cell.

Solar PV Cells Connected in Series

Individual solar cells produce only a small amount of voltage. They are most commonly connected together in series, positive to negative poles within a solar array, to produce a useful electric voltage.

When photons of sunlight strike solar cells in a string, the internal electric field pushes the electrons out of the cells in a continuous flow through the string. The electrons moving through the silicon structure each gain about one half of a volt during the photoelectric process. The displaced electrons are collected in a grid pattern of wiring printed on the cells.

Module manufacturers connect enough solar cells in series in a single module to produce a useful voltage. The typical high voltage grid tied module has 72 cells in series. Electrons moving about the solar cells get about one half of a volt from each solar cells. After moving through 72 solar cells connected in series gain enough electric voltage to account for about 40 volts.

If more voltage is needed to produce useful electric current for home use, then solar modules can be connected in series. For example, a typical residential solar energy system and arrangement of the solar array has 8 solar modules connected in series. This results in a final operational electric voltage of about 320 volts.

Solar Cells, Arrays, and Solar Modules Connected in Series

In the previous article, we explained a little about the Photoelectric Effect, where photons of light hit electrons in the silicon lattice and provide energy to flow. We also described how electrons flowing from one cell into the next cell in a module gain about 1/2 volt from each cell.

To Rent a Home Solar Energy System or Buy It

The Option to Rent a Home Solar Energy System is fast approaching as a viable option for home electricity needs. The American homeowner has the option to produce renewable energy from the sun by renting a complete solar energy system versus having to purchase one outright. It is an attractive option allowing homeowners to self-produce their own energy and keep the savings every month.

Those who have a suitable location (i.e. 4 to 5 sunlight hours per day, adequate roof spacePsychology Articles, and average energy needs) and are approved for solar system installation via site inspection have the possibility to leverage solar generated electricity in their homes on a rental basis.

What makes for great corporate entertainment?

July 23rd, 2008

If you have been delegated the task of choosing the entertainment for your company’s function, there is one option that will take the pressure away. There are corporate entertainment specialists that you can book online and they will help you with all of the details. They can help with the booking of entertainment, caterers, and a venue if you so choose. The great thing about taking care of the corporate entertainment this way is that you will know that your function is in the hands of professionals who plan events like yours every day. That way no detail will be overlooked and you can join everyone else in enjoying your event!

Upgrade Your Shaving Routine

July 9th, 2008

shave_cream250.jpgUpgrade your shaving routine and get the all naturalĀ bath and body products available for you. I have tried a lot of shaving products even the most expensive of them all. But I have not found and felt the best results until my wife bought me the Bay lime shaving cream, shaving gel and soothing after shave. These were her presents for me on our anniversary and I totally appreciate it compared to other material things. After using it for the first time, I have seen the difference with the things I used before. My face is softer and smoother now than ever before.

Because of these effects, I was also convinced to use the bath and body products used by my wife. I noticed that all of these products have the same brand names. I tried having the mint bath bomb and bath salts and together with warm water, I must say that I feel like going out of the spa when I was finished.

The brand I saw on the products is the Best Bath Store. I checked them online lately and saw that their products are all natural. The testimonials from their clients were the same as what I have experienced lately. You can avail of their products at www.bestbathstore.com. I am sure my wife already earned a lot of points by ordering from them.

Your Backbone To Accomplish Your Goals Is Through Unsecured Business Loans

July 4th, 2008

unsecured business loans could be your backbone to accomplish your plans about your business. Any business, no matter how small it is needs a good finance. If you do not have that, your managing and business skills are put to nothing. So if you think you got the drive and the right attitude towards your dream business, it is time to cut the chase and give in for some small business loans. You could work wonders with that capital and through the right lenders, you will find ease of paying back what you borrowed.

You may have already been having a hard time going to a lot of lending company offices. And got the same experiences in the cyberspace. That means you just have been into the wrong places. If you made the comparison and have not found the right company, then your search is over. Be at the Accommodative Financial Solutions and they could give you the right lenders that could give you a fast and easy approval.

A lot of people have been clamoring for business loans because of these hard times. You might as well be one of them and start your plan for those business ideas you have in mind. Build up your business plans now and see how much do you need to start up and the funds you need as you go along. After that you can go to afsloansonline.com and talk to one of their financial consultants. They could provide you the right lenders and make your dreams come true faster than you would expect them to do.

The Best Way To Find For Share Long Term Care Insurance

June 29th, 2008

The best way to find the most affordable and best valued shared long term care insurance is to shop around. You must be able to see the policies from each company and compare their financial stability, size and what their past customers have to say. At first it could be a little hard for you because you do not have enough knowledge about it. You would eventually learn the ropes and see that each company differently offers each policy. Get the one that you need and see to it that it is the best price and value in the market.

Going to each long term care insurance site could be too demanding. You must be on the right places to get what you desire for. I appreciate the Long Term Care Insurance Tree because they do all the shopping around for their clients. If you want to save yourself from the tedious task of comparing, they are the right one for you! You can receive a free quote and an analysis of each companies policies, financial stability ratings and many more.

The future could be prepared for now. Aging is a part of our life and we must be ready for whatever it may bring us. For more details, you must visit www.longtermcareinsurancetree.com and you can also their blog!