Are you better building solar panels from chipped solar cells, or just buying a new one?
It is becoming more common knowledge now that broken, chipped or otherwise damaged solar cells can potentially be used to make a homemade solar cell capable of producing electricity. Basic electrical wiring of several of these panels together has the potential to boost voltage so it can charge a few batteries in a bank, and at least partially power an appliance or two (when connected to a power inverter, of course.)
To many homeowners and do it yourselfers, this is a dream – a really cool project that isn’t too expensive and can reduce electric bills. The more electricity you can produce, after all, the less demand there is for it from the power grid. This lowers your bill. Or, if you are really adventurous, you can even get an electrician to connect your system to your house, and thus produce power that is fed into the grid. In theory, if you produced enough excess power, your meter will actually reverse and you will see credits on your energy bill!
Whoa! Hold on. Nothing we talked about here is illegal, but its time for a reality check. First of all, depending on your energy usage and demands, you would need to produce a lot of power to have an excess in the first place. And based on the solar panels available today, it is highly unlikely you will produce enough power to become a part time energy supplier.
But, it is entirely possible to produce just enough power to reduce your energy bills by $10 or $20 bucks per month.
You can go about this a couple ways, in regards to solar power. You can either build the solar panel array yourself using old broken solar cells and wiring them together yourself, or buying relatively cheap larger solar cells from a wholesaler and wiring them together.
I am currently writing another more detailed article on how to wire together broken solar cells to make a working panel, but the basic concept is this. Gather broken chips or cells of approximately the same size. I’d also recommend taking a multimeter or voltmeter and measure the approximate power output. The reason you want to do this is because when you wire solar panels in series, the power produced will only be as large as the lowest power cell. In other words it makes no sense to group a cell that gives off 200mv with one that produces 65mv, because the 200mv will fall to the 65mv level.
Once you wire and solder the cells together, you connect the cells to a bus, or larger gauge wire that collects the power. Now you just seal the cells (which are placed on wood, or another material), place plexiglass over the cells, seal the unit that that’s it. Connect the two bus leads to another array for increase your power, then to a battery.
You can also add a charge switch or charge controller which avoids letting the battery become overcharged, a diode which prevents power from flowing to the panels at night, a power inverter so the battery power can be converted to A/C, etc.
Building a panel out of new or slightly used solar cells that are whole involves the same basic process, except there is less soldering and electrical construction. The cells are already whole and probably wired. Plus, if you buy or obtain several cells that are rated the same, you can be confident connecting them in series without a serious drop in power.
The process of enclosing them, sealing it, and connecting it is the same. So, which is better? Which gives you more power? And which is more cost effective?
Well, you can generally get broken solar cells relatively cheap or even free if you know where to look. (Call your local highway department, hint-hint). Whole solar cells you will almost always have to pay for, and they can get pricey. However, you may find that more than a few cells in your bargain bag of solar cells do not produce any power at all and are worthless. And each one will produce sometimes wildly different power amounts.
Whole solar panels will almost always give you more power than broken or chipped ones, piece by piece. Five whole solar panels even at 9×9 inches will give you more power generation capability than five chipped pieces.
If you don’t mind doing quite a bit of work yourself, discarding cells that don’t work, and soldering cells together, then the DIY method of building a solar panel out of chipped cells may be for you. You can build the panel as big as you want and get the most bang for your buck.
The whole panel method is easier, requires less work, but still lets you make your own enclosure. However, it is definitely more expensive. Let’s talk costs. Whole panels around 9×9 inches may run you $6-$10 each. By contrast you may be able to score 20 or 30 2″x2″ or 3″x3″ chipped panels for around $25, which is a little over a buck each.
The power each produces will vary on how many cells you connect, and what each cell can produce. (Also, don’t forget the brighter the light source is, the more power is produced.)
Look for future articles on building practical solar panels, experiments, and how much raw power can be generated from each soon.
David Anderson continues to be so completely obsessed with home energy and finding ways to reduce energy bills that he’s now losing sleep over it. He is a regular contributor to the Utility Bill Busters Blog, a site updated (almost) daily with a ton of free tips and resourced for helping homeowners save money on their energy bills. It can be found at http://www.utilitybillbusters.com, and you can check out Dave’s other money saving articles: here
Wholesale Kitchenware – Refurnish With Branded Kitchenwares
The kitchen is an important space in any household. A lot of time is spent in the kitchen, cooking up meals for the family. For this reason, many homeowners tend to spend extra effort in furnishing and designing the kitchen. To furnish the whole kitchen, a lot of thought has to go into the details. For instance, what is the preferred brand? And what is the budget available for the various utensils?
Traditionally, to shop for kitchen items means having to take a walk at the local home appliances store with a shopping list. The goal is to check out the prices, and work out something that is within budget. But today, with the growth of the Internet, online shopping is becoming more and more common place. Homeowners are starting to use the Internet to shop for kitchenware because of the convenience that the Internet can offer. Besides delivering the items to the home, there is also a wide range of products to choose from. These items include (but are not limited to) stainless steel cookware, pressure cookies, and complete cookware sets. Besides having lots of choices, the Internet also has another distinct advantage over brick and mortar stores. There is the possibility of locating incredible deals online. For instance, you may come across an online store selling merchandise at wholesale prices. Buying at wholesale prices means that you are able to get the kitchenware you want at steep discounts. The more you buy, the more you save. Of course, it doesn’t make sense for one household to buy hundreds of sets. Therefore, you need to be creative when you do your buying.For example, you will be doing your neighbors and friends a favor if you can offer them the cookware at discounted prices. Just go around asking if anyone is looking for kitchenware, and let them know that you know just where to get the best deal for them. Take their orders, combine them into a single order, and then make your purchase at the wholesale website.That way, everyone is happy. Your family and friends get high quality kitchenware at low prices. You get the cookware that you want at the price that you are willing to pay. And the wholesaler makes profit. But even though the pricing is at wholesale prices, there may still be a gap between prices. This gap is mainly due to difference in brand, materials, and the items included in the set. A lower end set will cost around $80, which a higher end set can cost around $150. The $150 set consists of 22 pieces of cookware, but the $80 set consists of just 16 pieces. So make sure you read the fine print before making a purchase.
Wholesale Kitchenware available – Contact reliable Kitchenware Distributor Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/wholesale-kitchenware-refurnish-with-branded-kitchenwares-893411.html
Springtime Brings Spring Cleaning
The long, cold days of winter have come and gone. For months your home has accumulated lots of clutter. With springtime upon us, it is time to remove the clutter and do some old-fashioned spring-cleaning. Most of us dread the thoughts of starting such a major project, but plans must be made to get the job done. Here are some tips to help make your spring-cleaning a little more enjoyable.
*Save Time: One of the aspects of spring-cleaning is the time it will take to get the job completed. First of all, look at the areas to be cleaned then develop a schedule to follow. Make the bigger jobs less time consuming by taking it piecemeal. Instead of spending an entire day on cleaning the garage, try tackling it for an hour every afternoon. Before long you will have the area clean and the task can be checked off the list as completed.
*Make A Plan: Before you begin your spring-cleaning, develop a plan and make a schedule for the days you will devote to the project. Be sure to list the tools needed and supplies to have on hand. You do not want to start cleaning only to find you are without the supplies needed to get the job done.
*Family Project: While there are some people that would love to join your efforts to clean your home, garage and storage building, most people especially children would rather be doing other activities on a warm, spring weekend.
Parents can make the work more enjoyable by assigning various tasks to each child and encouraging a teamwork approach. Since no one really likes to work alone, be sure you work alongside of your child. Find ways to make the chores fun by playing music, singing fun songs, dancing around when you can and telling funny jokes while getting the job done. At the end of the day, the work is done and quality time has been spent with your child.
*Donate: Often times we continue to hang on to items that are never used, but add to the unappealing clutter. Instead of continuing to clean around these things, why not box them and take to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill Center as a charitable contribution. For items that are to be discarded, bag these and place at the curb for pick up. By taking this action you are removing clutter that once occupied the shelves and closet space of your living environment. With many of these items removed you will visibly notice less clutter and you will see the benefits of your labor.
By diligently following the plan, you will soon have every task checked off your spring-cleaning schedule and everyone can feel proud of the work accomplished and the teamwork efforts involved. Next, make another plan. This one is to reward your family for their hard work with a fun and relaxing family outing.
Article brought to you by Shirley McNeal, retired social services administrator and owner of My Southern Home Place…The Bargain Store for Wholesale Gifts, Collectibles & Décor located at: http://www.mysouthernhomeplace.com. We celebrate families, children, health and home and our business reflects these core values. We have a passion for bringing you and your family affordable products you will enjoy using and sharing with your friends and family. We invite you to visit our bargain store anytime you like. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/springtime-brings-spring-cleaning-891202.html
Top 5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Wrap Gifts
When everyone on the earth is screaming green, how can an artistic mind remain untouched by the movement. So, if you are that creative person who loves to wrap gifts in unique ways, just be a little more aware and think of some eco-friendly ways to wrap your gifts. Save the earth and be proud of it! Here are some ways to go eco-friendly with gift wrapping, rest you can think yourself, the creative man as you are!
1. Find Corporate Gift Companies with Eco-friendly Wrapping Process
If you are thinking of wrapping up the most awaited corporate gifts, find a brand or company that will use recycled paper gift bags or even jute gift pouches to wrap up these gifts. Take help of Internet, search and search more – demands will sure make these companies adhere to your requirements.
2. Make Daily-Use Items Your Gift Wraps
Utilize your money as also your efforts buying daily use items such as pillow covers, beach towels, decorative bed sheets or organic cloth bags that can be creatively used to wrap up the gifts. This way, gifts as well as the wrappers can be use- double bonanza- did you say!
3. Reuse the Brown Bags, Holiday Gift Bags and Gift Wrappers
Next time, you get a gift, ensure you don’t throw away the gift wrapping bags or papers. Store them. Reuse them to wrap the gifts you’ll give away to your loved ones. If you don’t like the idea of using brown paper bags, just try your hands on finger painting or stamp painting (make stamps with as common a thing as erasers and potatoes). Dip your fingers or stamps in paints and make beautiful designs on the brown paper bags. Now use them for gift wrapping.
4. Unique Gift Tags made from Old Business Cards
Need gift tags to scribe on? Just get hold of some old business cards. Take two of them at a time and glue them on the printed sides with craft glue. Tie a string using the unused wool yarn or ribbon lying around, by punching a hole on the tag. Paint or paste some interesting graphics on the tag and now write whatever your heart wishes to communicate to the gift receiver.
5. Don’t just Wrap up the Attractive Containers
The manufacturers so interestedly choose and make the designs of their containers. Why waste all the efforts. Let them be attractive as they are. If giving something like cookies or chocolates, fill them in attractive bowls with lid – great gift container. Buy a watering can and fill it with gardening supply for your nature loving friend- he’ll sure like the gift as well as the gift holder. If they don’t give the looks of a gift like this, just tie a ribbon or a scarf in an innovative style around the container, hang a gift tag made of old business card and just give it away.
Don’t forget to attach a note with each gift to explain what you have done. Personalize them with tiny paintings, messages and crochet touches, etc. Also request the recipient to recycle or reuse your wrap. It’s their turn to save earth now!
For more eco-friendly craft items like business organizers, kids gift items, letter head, greeting cards, file folders etc. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/top-5-ecofriendly-ways-to-wrap-gifts-891626.html
Can Solar Energy Efficiency Stop Climate Change?
All throughout the news and the internet, global climate change has been rearing it’s ugly head more and more often.
The ice caps are said to be melting at an alarming rate, the sun’s rays are getting hotter, and the ozone layer may be in it’s death throes. What can the average person, including you, do about it all? Solar energy efficiency may be the answer you’re looking for.
Solar energy efficiency should begin with the basic solar panel. Solar panels can come in two different forms, photovoltaic or thermal, but photovoltaic solar panels are the ones used most often in residential homes.
Solar panels technology has led the charge over the past couple of decades to get affordable and durable solar panels into the hands of the average citizen, and this had led to an increase in alternative energy usage.
Solar energy efficiency itself cannot stop climate change. This should be obvious to anyone who’s been paying attention to what’s going on – but, it can do a lot to help.
Using solar panels technology itself is a personal declaration that you’re sick and tired of using environmentally hostile forms of energy, and that you support the research and discovery of newer, alternative energies that will help the planet, and not be a hindrance towards it.
Solar panels, systems and individual, are just a good step in the right direction. After using solar panels technology for a little while, you’ll begin to notice other areas in your life that deal with energy and need improvement. It could instill in you the desire to drive a hybrid car, or cut down on travel and oil spending altogether.
Others will see your use of solar panels and will want to buy solar panels for home improvement. There are a myriad of possibilities out there, but it all starts with you first.
It will take a lot more effort to curtail climate change, and the possible shortages and disasters that it may entail for the future. Becoming energy independent and using solar energy efficiency will go a long way in ensuring that you’re doing your part to help the environment, and that you’re conscious of the troubles that are currently inflicting the planet.
Being informed about the problems is one thing. Taking action against them is in a whole different ballpark altogether.
Also, find out how you could be aiding the renewable energy revolution by visiting Joshua Creighton’s new blog – Choice Energy Resources. All opinions and thoughts are always welcome! Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/can-solar-energy-efficiency-stop-climate-change-889710.html