Archive for February 11th, 2010
Solar Pv Panels
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
What do Photovoltaic Panels (PV Panels) provide?
PV Panels
There is a lot of discussion in the press and the Solar Industry about Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. There are a number of grants available from Government and some Local Government incentives. Historically the use of solar technology and PV panels has been expensive to install and difficult to work out an economic payback. This has not delayed some people installing solar panels and generating their own power with a feel good factor that they were doing their bit to lessen dependence on non-renewable energy.
What do Photovoltaic Panels (PV Panels) provide?
Photovoltaic Panels turn sunlight into electricity. The PV panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity. This electricity powers your home and exports excess electricity to the national grid. PV panels have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Pv Solar Panels in a 2.5 kWp system can generate over 50 % of the electricity needed for an average family home.
The government solar panels grants are Feed In Tariffs (FITS), which aim to reward the earliest adopters of solar panels the most. The Government are to launch a Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) in April 2011.
FITS Scheme – Feed in tariffs for PV electric solar panels
This government incentive pays you 41.3p per Kwh produced. This will be paid even if you use the energy yourself, giving a guaranteed income and savings on your electricity bills.
RHI Scheme – Renewable Heat Incentive for solar heating
The governments Renewable Heat Incentive solar grant will pay 18p per KW produced, giving a guaranteed income from your installation of renewable energy products
The benefits of PV Panels are:
1. Quick and easy to install
2. Government backed income for 25 years (Feed-In Tariff)
3. Make no noise
4. Pay for themselves and generate a profit
5. Require minimal maintenance, as there are no moving parts
6. Work even on cloudy days
7. Invest in the future and reduce your carbon footprint
There are a number of different PV installations from domestic to large scale commercial operations. Four power generating breakpoints for Solar Photovoltaic Power generating systems are:
Systems up to 4kWp
These solar PV panel systems are configured to optimise the power output from smaller mounting areas. Whilst looking good and complying with building regulations. These panels are for residential and smaller industrial buildings and can be roof or ground mounted even on garden sheds, greenhouses or balconies
Systems from 4kWp to 10kWp
These mid-range Solar PV panels with higher power outputs and three phase power options are suitable for larger residential properties, industrial buildings and schools. They can be installed on roofs or ground mounted, some even have a purpose built frame or if a new build they can be built into the building
Systems from 10kWp to 100kWp
These systems are normally for larger buildings and can be designed either for direct grid connection or professionally integrated into existing power systems. Solar Pv Systems of this size could be mounted on a hospital, a school, a hotel, a larger industrial building or even a swimming pool.
Systems over 100kWp
These are designed and built for bespoke stand alone and directly grid connected systems. These stand-alone systems focus on achieving the best guaranteed return on investment. These are normally built for large campus type operations such as universities or large multiple office complexes. The equipment needed is provided with a full support package to ensure maximum productivity.
Conclusion
Keep any eye out for the RHI scheme and work out what is the best way to get a grant and generate your own energy while helping reduce carbon emissions and make the world a cleaner place for generations to come. There is a lot of information available on the Internet or from local government climate change departments. In addition to this, http://www.wholebuild.co.uk hosts important information from organisations like the Solar Trade Association, product manufacturers and solar PV installers.
About the Author
To know more please log on to http://www.wholebuild.co.uk
Thin-film Photovoltaic (PV) Laminates
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Solar Combiner Box accommodates upto 6 Strings Parallel/Serial. Can be used as PV disconnect. $97.90 For 150 VDC charge controllers and 600 VDC gridtie inverters, available circuit breakers 13mm from 1 Amp to 60 Amps. The most popular PV combiner in North America. Gray aluminum type 3R rainproof enclosure with insulating dead front, will accept six 150VDC 6 breakers or 4 600VDC fuse holders. 9 x 14 x 4″ ETL listed for US and Canada. Up to three 300VDC circuit breakers 7 Amp to 50 Amp can be insta… |
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Pump and Panel for Solar Fountains $36.99 Use our little kit to create your own solar fountain, or to replace the failed pump on existing fountains. Our kit includes an unbreakable PV panel that measures 4 7â10″ x 4 2â5″ with a locking weatherproof electrical connector, 15 feet of flexible submersible cable, and a submersible DC pump that measures 21/2″ L x 11/2″W x 2″H with a 5â16″ tubing fitting and rubber suction-cup fee… |
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Solar Battery Charger Kit for 12V. RV Marine or Home. Flexible Solar Panel aminate, Charge Controller, PV Combiner box w/breaker & extension Cable $349.00 68 watt Complete package includes 68 watt Flexible Solar Panel, Baby box with circuit breaker, 6.5 Amp Charge Controller and 30′ MC Cable. UniSolar flexible solar panel. simple & easy peel and stick installation. Ideal for metal roof. RV /Boat, Home & Commercial applications. Battery charging or Grid tie Solar Systems. UniSolar is one of the largest manufacturer of Flexible Thin Film Solar Panels…. |
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A Complete Guide to the Installation of Off-Grid PV Solar Power Systems $55.00 This DVD set is a 4 hour, 16 chapter comprehensive course on the installation of Off-Grid photovoltaic solar power electric systems. It is designed to take the complete beginner to full competency. The course is taught by Bob Nagy who is the teacher in over 40 videos on high-tech subjects. Bob’s bio includes 20 years at the University of Texas, ABC TV, and NASA. His clear and friendly style bri… |
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Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger $20.49 C.Crane Universal Solar 11-in-One Battery Charger with Meter – This high powered solar charger charges two Rechargeable Batteries of the same type and size (D, C, AA, AAA). It puts out about 150mah and about 5 volts. All of the other solar battery chargers we tested were unsuitable because their voltage was too low. Weight: 11.8 oz. Size: 6.8″ W x 4.5″ H x 2.3″ D. This is the most versatile batte… |
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August SPC1500 Solar Battery Charger 1500mAh for Cell Phones and Almost All Personal Digital Players with High Efficacy Monocrystal Silicon Photovoltaic Panel and Bright LED Torch $9.49 This high quality monocrystal silicon photovoltaic solar energy battery and cell phone power charger, is ideal as your spare battery. With the option to charge using USB, plug or solar power, you’ll be able to to make and receive calls anytime, anywhere. And with a handy, bright LED torch, you’ll never be stuck for a light again. You will no longer have to worry about your cell phone losing charg… |
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SunGuard SG-4 4.5 amp 12 volt Solar Charge Controller Regulator by Morningstar $22.64 A nice small, economical controller for 12V solar panels that produce less than 4.5 amps. Uses the same high performance circuitry as the more expensive SunSaver line. Epoxy encapsuated for marine environments. Easy to connect. These charge controllers are extremely reliable and have a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty…. |
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OWI Frightened Grasshopper Kit – Solar Powered $1.20 Build your own life-size grasshopper. An educational robot and mini solar kit. He’s small, but he’s an attention-getter. Explore the potential of solar power with this neat science kit. This build-it-yourself educational solar hobby kit is for the first time science experimenters with little or no experience. The Frightened Grasshopper Solar Powered Bug Teaches about forms of alternative energy in… |
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Kit, Solar Electric House $29.95 Solar Electric House Kit – Build an environmentally friendly miniature house with working appliances. This kit, ideal for any classroom or science fair project, provides the main components to power a solar ceiling fan and light bulb. — You construct the house from the included blueprint using the kit’s solar panels and materials you provide. When completed, the house is a working demonstration o… |
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Solar Electric House Kit – Solar Electric House Kit $29.95 Build an environmentally friendly miniature house with working appliances. This kit, ideal for any classroom or science fair project, provides the main components to power a solar ceiling fan and light bulb. You construct the house from the included blueprint using the kit’s solar panels and materials you provide. When completed, the house is a working demonstration of solar thermal, solar energy,… |
