Homemade Solar Cell

Today’s modern solar panel is the product of hundreds of years of research. This started more than 150 years back when it was noticed that some materials gave off electricity when exposed to light. When we really want to find out who invented solar panels the best way is to take a look at its history.

In 1839, a French physicist A. E. Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. He noted that some materials generated an electric charge when they were exposed to light. This phenomenon is the basis for how most panels work. It was after 44 years in 1883 that the phenomenon was observed in the first photovoltaic cell that was made by Charles Fritts.

The first cell invented by Fritts was made from selenium. The semiconductor had a thin coat of gold around it and was not very effective in generating electricity. The reason, now known, is that selenium is not a very good semiconductor. That is why it was so hard to find a practical use for this device.

In 1954, a relatively effective photovoltaic cell was made by Bell Laboratories. At that time the cost of manufacturing photovoltaic cells was expensive. It costs 250 dollars to make cells capable of generating 1 watt of electricity. Because of such high cost, the photovoltaic cell still had no practical use.

It was in the space age and the widespread use of satellites that really spurred the development of modern solar cells. Satellites required a light weight source of power. Only photovoltaic cells fitted the required power to weight ratio. Intensive research resulted in more efficient manufacturing processes so that one watt of electricity could be generated from $100 of photovoltaic cells.

The oil crisis in the 1970s prompted several big oil companies to look for alternative ways of creating electricity. They correctly predicted that in thirty years, conventional means of generating electricity would not as cheap as before. Exxon was one of the companies that started looking into the promise of alternative energy such as sunlight.

Exxon created Solar Power Corporation or SPC which found ways to optimize the manufacturing of photovoltaic cells. By 1973, a watt of electricity could be made from ten dollars of cells. The man who spearheaded how modern cells are manufactured today was Elliot Berman.

The average cost of generating a watt of electricity from sunlight today is $3.40. When the cost of production becomes competitive with the price of electricity from conventional sources then grid parity is attained. The US government targets 2015 as the year when parity will happen. Expect a shift in alternative ways of electric power generation when this take place. Slowly green power generation will increase its contribution in the nationwide production of electricity.

There is no doubt that the first photovoltaic cell was created by Charles Fritts. But it should be noted that modern photovoltaic power systems are vastly different from the device Fritts made. Today, differing technologies are utilized in harnessing sunlight to generate electricity. Each technology has its own list of names that made each method possible. That is why it is impossible to give credit to one person when talking about who invented solar panels especially when modern technologies are part of the picture.

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Solar panels for pools have caused many inquiring minds to question how they operate and what they are able to do for the home. They utilize the power of the natural light to warm the water of both indoor and outdoor pools. With a proper setup it is possible to use them as a means of heating water for inside the home as well.

These setups work on a very simple principle. There are several parts to one of these systems and they work to capture the heat generated by the sun to heat the water which is then circulated into the pool in question. In fact, any pool can be set up in such a way as the pool’s existing pump will work as a filter.

The main parts of this system are a solar collector, a filter, a pump and a flow control valve. The role of the solar collector is to circulate the pool water that is warmed by the light. There are two types of collectors glazed and unglazed. The glazed collectors have a glass covering that allows for it to be used in weather that is cool.

Those collectors that do not have any glazing, on the other hand, are less expensive but their drawback is that they are to be used in warmer climates where the cold temperature will not cause damage. Also, they are rather inexpensive to produce as they are made out of heavy rubber or plastic that is then treated with an ultraviolet inhibitor. Glazed collectors are more expensive because they are made from copper tubing on an aluminium plane that is then covered with an iron glass covering.

The biggest reason for using such system is to save money. Heating a pool will add a lot to the homes monthly energy bills. However, by using solar energy one can not only lower the energy cost and consumption of a house, but one can also do right by the environment.

Even if the concept of the system is simple it doesn’t mean that just anyone can install one. It’s important that a certified and qualified installer does the job. Also, periodic maintenance is required to ensure optimum efficiency. A properly maintained system can last for over twenty years.

The contractor installing the system should be both qualified and certified. Do some research on any potential contractor before hiring them. Also, check any references and ask how long the business has been up and running.

Solar panels for pools are a solid investment on many levels. Firstly, they are energy efficient and pay for themselves rather quickly. Secondly, they use a clean from of energy that eliminates negative the effects on the environment. A clean world is a better one.

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The use of wind power is among the most environmentally friendly ways of generating electricity. There are two types of wind turbines used in this form of alternative energy, known as horizontal axis and vertical axis. A turbine works by creating friction as its blades rotate. This is then converted into electricity by a generator.

As well as the large units used to provide electricity to an electrical grid, there are also smaller ones, which can be used at home. These are available as a freestanding tower unit or can be mounted onto a roof. This is an excellent way for people to reduce their energy bills as well as to do their bit for the environment. Any excess energy can be sold to an electrical grid in certain jurisdictions, providing an incentive for people to use cleaner energy.

Horizontal axis models are probably the best known and the most common. They have what resembles a propeller, which has been mounted on a tall tower. They are tall so that they can harness the high winds that are available at higher altitudes. These models have a rotating mechanism that enables then to be moved so they can face the direction of the air currents.

Horizontal axis types can produce more energy than the vertical axis types due to the high winds they can access. They are more difficult to maintain however, as the blades and propeller are high off the ground. Also, during periods of high winds they can fail due to the pressure of the air on the blades. Many people dislike them as they may dominate some landscapes, although the wind farms that use this type of turbine can be put out at sea.

The vertical axis styles are not so commonly seen, they have vertical blades and the generator is at the bottom. As the air pushes against the arms, the whole unit rotates. These units are often put in locations where the direction of the air currents is less consistent. They are often mounted on top of buildings or where there is a wind tunnel, for example between two buildings.

A vertical axis turbine can be one of two subtypes known as Darrieus and Savonius. The Darrieus turbine resembles an eggbeater. It is more efficient at producing energy than the Savonius style. This turbine requires energy to begin turning and is used where the winds are less reliable. A Savonius turbine has two scoops on either side, which catches the wind, causing it to spin. A Savonius is less efficient than a Darrieus type, but does not require any energy to start rotating. This type of vertical axis turbine is usually placed where there are more turbulent winds.

The main advantage of the vertical axis turbines is that they are easier and cheaper to maintain, as the important parts are lower to the ground. They also do not need to be facing the wind, which eliminates the need for a turning mechanism. However, they are less efficient and produce less energy than the horizontal axis ones. These types of wind turbines also cannot take advantage of the high winds that are at altitude like the horizontal ones can.

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