Solar Panel Applications

We have become accustomed to the large dark blue in color panels we regular see on the rooftops which are used for the supply solar powered electricity. Although they are not so common as far as individual homes go as yet, over the last thirty years or so, there have been numerous stories and accompanying photographs in magazines on the subject. Due to the relative rarity of such systems, they are regarded more often than not as a thing of the future, a future which is always just a little out of reach with the sticking points being efficiency and cost.

But these days there are many cost effective solar panel applications available for use.

An example of these would be lawn lights which have become very popular. These are stakes roughly twelve inches in length with lights mounted on the end. The top of the light houses small solar panels and although they do not generate a great amount of power, they do the job well. They are easy to place where you want them and require no wiring whatsoever. They don’t need to be maintained so usually last for years and batteries and bulbs are not necessary as with other forms of lighting.

The majority of us have used solar powered calculators which have been around for many years now. Of course, the same kind of technology has been adapted and now encompasses laptop computers too. At the present time they don’t generate sufficient power to operate a monitor or standard hard drive, but the use of solar power has been shared with new inventions to be able to achieve this, namely organic cells.

The standard solar cell uses layered wafers of silicon coated with phosphorus. However, more complex molecules and other elements are also subject to the photoelectric effect. When struck by light, many organic molecules will shoot off electrons and even though they are not as efficient, they have the advantage of being extremely economical as well as flexible so they can be incorporated into particularly cheap plastic alloys.

This is what makes it possible to produce a keyboard or monitor which can be rolled or folded up at an affordable price. This technology allows you to tuck a computer under your arm or in your pocket and when you want to use it all you have to do is unroll it and it will be powered by the available light.

There are numerous other applications which can be powered by a solar system. An example of this is electrical fencing which can be used to power a cattle barrier or a dog retainer by a low voltage system. The small stun the animal receives keeps them in check without causing them any harm. Whilst standard fencing will not always stop the animal from leaping over the barrier, electrifying the system will discourage them from trying to make that jump.

Cars and powered boats have batteries to start the engines as well as powering small electrical appliances and running the lights, speedometer and other things when the engine is turned off. Such batteries need recharging at regular intervals even though the motor usually recharges the batteries and replaces the necessary power.

However, the mere fact that battery chargers are in existence would suggest this method does not always work. When you are at sea or even near the shore for that matter, it is practically impossible to use a standard charger and this is where a solar powered charger may be the handiest piece of equipment you could have in your time of need.

This charger will also recharge the battery in your RV just as easily in addition to being useful in so many other ways.

An RV is stationary with its motor off on many occasions. Some people have generators to provide power for the RV at these times but not only do generators produce disgusting smelling fumes but they are also heavy on fuel and noisy to run. On the other hand a solar power system is capable of supplying at least some of the energy required. It can power a radio and run a DVD, a television or a small refrigerator.

Solar panels of today come at a much lower cost than ever before and they are far more efficient. They give you the freedom of not having to depend on utility companies and the fact that they can provide much or all of your electrical needs.