LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT SOLAR PANEL INVERTERS DO
What are solar panel inverters? What are they good for?
Solar Panel inverters are used primarily to change direct current to alternating current via an electrical switching process. You can think of inverters used with solar panels as electronically synthesized alternators.
TYPES OF SOLAR PANEL INVERTERS
There are three types of solar panel inverters:
Stand-Alone Solar Panel Inverters
Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters
Multi-function Solar Panel Inverters
STAND-ALONE SOLAR PANEL INVERTERS
Stand Alone solar panel inverters function to change direct current (DC) from a battery to Alternating Current (AC). Stand alone inverters, which range from around 100 watts to as much as 8000 watts, are used to power a vast variety of personal or small business projects. Lower watt stand-alone inverters are often used to power laptop computers, whereas high-watt stand-alone inverters could be used to help power an entire household. In order to calculate what class of inverter you need for use with your solar panel, you will first have to determine the maximum sum of all of the Alternating Current loads in your project (or home).
How to calculate the wattage you need from your stand-alone solar panel inverter
AC_LoadDryer
+AC_LoadLaptop
+AC_LoadIron
=Total AC Load
This is the wattage you need from your stand alone solar panel inverter.
You can usually find the wattage rating on your home appliances by checking the power cable. The sum of these wattage ratings is what you need to determine the wattage you need from your solar panel stand-alone inverter.
SURGE-COMPLIANT STAND-ALONE INVERTERS
It is important to purchase a quality stand-alone inverter that has a built-in ability to surge if you are using heavy equipment, power tools, or automatic washers, dryers, and dishwashers. These appliances and equipment require a surge on startup, which your stand-alone inverter must be able to supply if you are planning to use these appliances.
SYNCHRONOUS SOLAR PANEL INVERTERS
The term Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters arises from the synchronous dynamic that such a system creates between the utility company and a personal solar-panel installation. Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters allow power generated by your solar panels to be stored in battery. If there is an excess (meaning you did not use as much power as you produced), the power is sold back to the utility company at the same rate at which you are charged!
On the other hand, if your solar panels are unable to provide you with the power you need, your Synchronous Solar Panel Inverter will allow the utility company to supply power to make up the difference. The advantages of a Synchronous Solar Panel Inverter are many, as you can see. This Synchronous Solar Panel Inverter system is quite useful - your batteries will provide you with energy during the utility company's power outages, and on bleak, rainy days, you won't have to worry about your solar panels performance, because any power you need will be supplied by the utility company via your Synchronous Solar Panel Inverter.
A final advantage of Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters is that you will not have to precisely calculate your Alternating Current load in order to set up the system. It is only necessary if you want to have complete reliance on solar panel in most scenarios, but if you are comfortable with buying a steady but small portion of power from the utility company, a rough estimation of wattage from your solar panel system should suffice with the Synchronous Inverter.
MULTIFUNCTION SOLAR PANEL INVERTERS
Multifunction Solar Panel Inverters combine the best of both worlds, and they are usually the best choice for your solar panel system. While more expensive, multifunction inverters may be your best choice. Contact your solar panel dealer for more specific information on Multifunction Solar Panel Inverters.
TRUE AND MODIFIED SINE WAVE INVERTERS
An inverter converts a direct current to an alternating current through a delicate electrical switching process. This process makes an inverter function as a synthesized alternator, which are typically used to produce AC current by creating a smooth alternation, similar to a pendulum gently swinging. This alternation takes the form of a sine wave, which is the ideal wave pattern for transmitting AC power.
MODIFIED SINE WAVE INVERTERS
Modified Sine Wave inverters are better in typical solar applications when electric motors are not involved. They are not quite as efficient as true sine wave inverters, but you'll find that they are much more affordable. Unlike true sine wave inverters, modified sine wave intverters produce a stepped waveform, which isn't really a sine wave at all.
Because the current is not alternating perfectly, the stepped waveform of the modified sine wave inverter causes the inverter to generate an irritating buzz. Take this into careful consideration when purchasing an inverter.
TRUE SINE WAVE INVERTERS
True sine wave inverters are very efficient and have a very accurate waveform to the true sine wave. True sine wave inverters are a little more pricey than modified sine wave inverters because of the reduced noise and their strong compatibility with certain devices, such as electric motors. This is the better option if you value silence, or want optimal performance from electric motors, such as those found in an electric water pump.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Solar Panels, Solar Energy & Solar Power Save Energy. Help Save the Planet & Save You Money The Energy Saving Alternative
Welcome to Mr Solar Energy!
This website is a fantastic resource for all things Solar Energy and Solar Power. Feel free to explore this exciting Alternative Energy website and richly educate yourself about free solar power, solar panels and solar electricity, the No.1 renewable energy of the future.
Learn some fresh Energy Saving Tips and what you can do to install a back up solar power system or a net metered Solar Power System in your home or business. Your utility supplier actually pays you for supplying them the excess electricity generated by your solar panels and fed back to the grid.
While you are here, do join our mailing list of well informed solar energy insiders and readers. You receive your monthly newsletters full of great information including topical updates, gas solar panel system ideas and hot comments on what’s happening within the solar energy industry. Get the latest Information about Climate Change and ways YOU can profit from the coming solar electricity revolution.
This website is a fantastic resource for all things Solar Energy and Solar Power. Feel free to explore this exciting Alternative Energy website and richly educate yourself about free solar power, solar panels and solar electricity, the No.1 renewable energy of the future.
Learn some fresh Energy Saving Tips and what you can do to install a back up solar power system or a net metered Solar Power System in your home or business. Your utility supplier actually pays you for supplying them the excess electricity generated by your solar panels and fed back to the grid.
While you are here, do join our mailing list of well informed solar energy insiders and readers. You receive your monthly newsletters full of great information including topical updates, gas solar panel system ideas and hot comments on what’s happening within the solar energy industry. Get the latest Information about Climate Change and ways YOU can profit from the coming solar electricity revolution.
SOLAR POWER IN CARS
olar energy is one of the many renewable sources of energy that is used for fueling vehicles, running consumer products and for the efficient running of homes and business establishments. Solar power is harnessed with the help of solar cells and solar panels which are placed in the item that has to be powered.
The solar car is something that is envisioned to materialize in the future, with some countries already having solar cars racing across countries.
With this, it is proven that it is viable to indeed produce and manufacture solar power cars in bulk, in the near future so that everyone will soon own a solar power car.
Of course, once solar power cars are manufactured, it does not implicate that all other fuel sources for cars on highways will be removed. All that is done in solar power cars is the supplementation of traditional fuel with solar energy so that you save not only on your economy, but also save the environment in more ways than one every year.
The solar power cars that are used in races today run only on solar power, and thus look odd in appearance. This is because these cars are designed in such a way that they can collect maximum solar energy with which it is possible for the car to gain the required speed and desired efficiency.
The solar cells used in solar power cars are large, and usually cover the entire vehicle. However in case of commercial uses, solar cells are much smaller and designed so that the vehicle not only looks attractive, but is also efficient in its functioning. Solar cars can be used for short commutes in town as these cars can work only on solar energy.
The batteries found in the vehicle stores excess solar power so that this power can be used when solar power is not available on demand like on cloudy days and at nighttime. The engines found in these solar power cars are very much like the engines found in electric cars found today. In addition to this, the cars are lightweight, so that solar power can be used more efficiently.
At present, there are many types of solar power cars in the development stage today, which are also available for sale. However as these cars are in the developmental stage, the car is not available to the general public. With so many benefits found in solar power cars, its cost will not be much higher than the cost of the traditionally powered vehicles of today.
Another benefit of solar power cars is there is no hassle of stopping at gas stations for gas nor is there the need of getting worried of rising gasoline costs. With a solar power car, you save on the money that you would have otherwise have needed for buying fuel to run your car. In addition to this, with solar power cars you will be doing your bit in stopping global warming problems as there are no fuel emissions from solar power cars.
Plan to operate 800,000 tube wells on solar energy
In order to overcome the power crisis, the Punjab government has decided to operate tube-wells through solar energy with the cooperation of a German company.
A delegation of International Renewable Energy System led by Alexander Klass met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at CM’s Secretariat here Thursday.
During the meeting, Chief Minister and Mr Klass decided in principle to launch a project to produce and supply solar energy to villages. The German company, according to the agreement, would provide the latter with expertise to launch a solar energy project.
Talking to the German delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is facing energy crisis, which is adversely affecting agriculture, industries and other sectors. He said that Punjab government is working on various projects for the generation of energy from alternate sources including hydel power and coal. He said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and government is taking solid measures for the uplift of this sector.
He said that tractors are being provided to cultivators on subsidised rates and a huge amount of Rs 2b has been allocated for this purpose. He said that Germany has expertise in solar energy sector and this technology can also be used in Punjab for operating tube wells and supply of power to villages.
A delegation of International Renewable Energy System led by Alexander Klass met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at CM’s Secretariat here Thursday.
During the meeting, Chief Minister and Mr Klass decided in principle to launch a project to produce and supply solar energy to villages. The German company, according to the agreement, would provide the latter with expertise to launch a solar energy project.
Talking to the German delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is facing energy crisis, which is adversely affecting agriculture, industries and other sectors. He said that Punjab government is working on various projects for the generation of energy from alternate sources including hydel power and coal. He said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and government is taking solid measures for the uplift of this sector.
He said that tractors are being provided to cultivators on subsidised rates and a huge amount of Rs 2b has been allocated for this purpose. He said that Germany has expertise in solar energy sector and this technology can also be used in Punjab for operating tube wells and supply of power to villages.
Solar energy to illumine 400 villages
MITHI: The country’s 400 villages, 300 of them in Balochistan and 100 in Sindh, would be electrified through solar energy, Brigadier Dr Naseem A Khan, Secretary, Alternative Energy Development Board and Member (Technical), government of Pakistan, told The News.
“The PC-1 for electrification through solar energy has been approved and an amount of Rs 450 million allocated for the project,” he said. He said the Adviser to the Prime Minister, Dr Mohammad Ali, held a meeting with the district Nazim Arbab Anwer recently and tenders for illuminating Pakistani villages through solar energy were being evaluated.
He said the Asian Development Bank has defended the project on solar energy in the Planning Commission of Pakistan but the funding is being done by the government of Pakistan. “We hope to involve the private sector in a big way,” he added.
The Alternative Energy Development Board in collaboration with the Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation of Tharparkar, has illuminated 109 houses of village Bharmal in Tharparkar though solar energy. The village has a population of 780 people.
“Every house in the village has been electrified through solar energy,” Mohammad Yaseen, an engineer working for the Alternate Energy Development Board told The News in village Bharmal. “Every house can now enjoy the facility of four bulbs, one fan besides a solar cooker,” he said. “The solar cooker works only during the day, directly through the radiation of the sun,” he added.
“Children of the village can now study during the night and women can do their embroidery work,” he said. “The village was short of fuel wood due to drought and was spending Rs 600-800 per month on oil for a home,” he added. He said after the village has been provided solar energy, every family was contributing Rs 100 per month for the maintenance of the project.
“The criteria to choose a village for electrification through solar energy are that it should be 20 kilometres away from the grid and we are collaborating with TRDP that provided us a list of villages in Thar which need solar energy,” he said.
In the wake of high cost of oil, developed as well as the developing countries are vying to meet their needs through solar and other sources of alternative energy. A recent article in SciDev.Net, a prestigious scientific Web paper, quoted two German research reports as saying that deserts in the Middle East and North Africa could generate vast quantities of electricity to sell to Europe.
“The studies found that concentrated solar power plants, occupying less than 0.3 per cent of the desert area in the region, could provide 15 per cent of Europe’s electricity needs by 2050,” the article said.
“The high transmission losses of 10-15 per cent per 1,000 kilometres of cable used would be offset by the sheer volume of electricity produced, said the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Corporation (TREC), a network that helped conduct the studies,” it said.
“Every year, each square kilometre of desert receives solar energy equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of oil. Multiplying by the area of deserts worldwide, this is nearly a thousand times the entire current energy consumption of the world,” said Franz Trieb, project manager for the two reports at the German Aerospace Centre.
Solar thermal power plants use mirrors to concentrate solar energy to create steam and generate electricity, creating the cheapest electricity available — costing less than $0.60 per kilowatt-hour.
“The PC-1 for electrification through solar energy has been approved and an amount of Rs 450 million allocated for the project,” he said. He said the Adviser to the Prime Minister, Dr Mohammad Ali, held a meeting with the district Nazim Arbab Anwer recently and tenders for illuminating Pakistani villages through solar energy were being evaluated.
He said the Asian Development Bank has defended the project on solar energy in the Planning Commission of Pakistan but the funding is being done by the government of Pakistan. “We hope to involve the private sector in a big way,” he added.
The Alternative Energy Development Board in collaboration with the Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation of Tharparkar, has illuminated 109 houses of village Bharmal in Tharparkar though solar energy. The village has a population of 780 people.
“Every house in the village has been electrified through solar energy,” Mohammad Yaseen, an engineer working for the Alternate Energy Development Board told The News in village Bharmal. “Every house can now enjoy the facility of four bulbs, one fan besides a solar cooker,” he said. “The solar cooker works only during the day, directly through the radiation of the sun,” he added.
“Children of the village can now study during the night and women can do their embroidery work,” he said. “The village was short of fuel wood due to drought and was spending Rs 600-800 per month on oil for a home,” he added. He said after the village has been provided solar energy, every family was contributing Rs 100 per month for the maintenance of the project.
“The criteria to choose a village for electrification through solar energy are that it should be 20 kilometres away from the grid and we are collaborating with TRDP that provided us a list of villages in Thar which need solar energy,” he said.
In the wake of high cost of oil, developed as well as the developing countries are vying to meet their needs through solar and other sources of alternative energy. A recent article in SciDev.Net, a prestigious scientific Web paper, quoted two German research reports as saying that deserts in the Middle East and North Africa could generate vast quantities of electricity to sell to Europe.
“The studies found that concentrated solar power plants, occupying less than 0.3 per cent of the desert area in the region, could provide 15 per cent of Europe’s electricity needs by 2050,” the article said.
“The high transmission losses of 10-15 per cent per 1,000 kilometres of cable used would be offset by the sheer volume of electricity produced, said the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Corporation (TREC), a network that helped conduct the studies,” it said.
“Every year, each square kilometre of desert receives solar energy equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of oil. Multiplying by the area of deserts worldwide, this is nearly a thousand times the entire current energy consumption of the world,” said Franz Trieb, project manager for the two reports at the German Aerospace Centre.
Solar thermal power plants use mirrors to concentrate solar energy to create steam and generate electricity, creating the cheapest electricity available — costing less than $0.60 per kilowatt-hour.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Rising Energy Demand
Rising energy demand and climate change are major issues facing our society today. Plutonic Power Corporation is uniquely positioned to address these two significant global phenomena through the development of its environmentally friendly renewable energy projects.
Top reasons to invest in Plutonic Power Corporation
Large development portfolio
Plutonic Power has one of the largest renewable power development portfolios in Canada. Currently, the company has applied for or holds licenses on 40 rivers in the province, on which nearly 2000 MW of renewable green power generation could be developed. The Company has also identified a number of future development sites in BC.
Projects under construction
Plutonic Power was awarded the largest Energy Purchase Agreement from BC Hydro's 2006 Call for Tender. This has lead to the construction of the 196 MW East Toba River and Montrose Creek Hydroelectric Project (Toba Montrose Project) located in south-west British Columbia. Plutonic, and financial partner General Electric Energy Financial Services, have commissioned Peter Kiewit Sons to build this $660 million project. Construction of the project began in June 2007 with an opening ceremony attended by government, community and First Nations leaders, including BC Premier Gordon Campbell. The Toba Montrose Project is expected to be completed mid-2010 and will be the largest run-of-river project in the province.
Future Calls for Power
Plutonic Power is currently pursuing two project proposals under the 2008 Clean Power Call. The Upper Toba Valley Project consists of 3 project sites with a total potential generating capacity of approximately 166 MW and the Bute Inlet Project consists of 17 project sites with a total potential generating capacity of approximately 1027 MW.
Rising electricity prices
Most analysts expect that energy prices will remain high for the foreseeable future. High energy prices benefit Plutonic by further strengthening the economic case for renewable power.
Emission Reduction Credits revenue opportunity
Emission reduction credits (ERCs) are negotiable financial instruments that represent an offset of greenhouse gases. It is expected that within the next few years these offset credits could represent substantial financial value. Some of Plutonic's projects may have the potential to offset hundreds of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, thus creating further value for shareholders.
Continued need for domestic electricity supply
Domestic demand has been increasing at a compounding 2% per year. The Independent Power Producers Association of BC has determined that it is far less expensive for the province to buy domestically-generated power than to import from the United States and Alberta. There is an urgent need for the development of domestic power generation in BC. Plutonic Power is well positioned to help BC meet this electricity need.
Long term assets
Once built, Plutonic's suite of renewable energy projects are designed and engineered to operate for decades, thus providing a long and stable stream of cash flow to investors.
No commodity fuel risks
Unlike gas and coal generated power plants, which are economically affected by changes in commodity prices, Plutonic's projects are powered by rainwater, glacial runoff and wind. On the sales side, energy purchase agreements are normally made under long term contracts (25-40 year terms), which are annually inflated according to a CPI escalator. EPA's are made with high credit buyers such as BC Hydro, a provincial crown corporation with an S&P credit rating of AA.
Non-depleting and renewable resource
Unlike oil and gas, the resource that will power the Company's projects, rainwater, glacial runoff and wind are completely renewable and non-depleting. A renewable resource is defined as energy source that can be replenished through natural processes or through sustainable management practices within one human life span.
Tight Capital structure
Plutonic has approximately 65.2 million common shares outstanding and 70 million shares fully diluted outstanding.
Insider ownership
Management, Directors and Insiders of the company own approximately 15% of the outstanding shares.
Top reasons to invest in Plutonic Power Corporation
Large development portfolio
Plutonic Power has one of the largest renewable power development portfolios in Canada. Currently, the company has applied for or holds licenses on 40 rivers in the province, on which nearly 2000 MW of renewable green power generation could be developed. The Company has also identified a number of future development sites in BC.
Projects under construction
Plutonic Power was awarded the largest Energy Purchase Agreement from BC Hydro's 2006 Call for Tender. This has lead to the construction of the 196 MW East Toba River and Montrose Creek Hydroelectric Project (Toba Montrose Project) located in south-west British Columbia. Plutonic, and financial partner General Electric Energy Financial Services, have commissioned Peter Kiewit Sons to build this $660 million project. Construction of the project began in June 2007 with an opening ceremony attended by government, community and First Nations leaders, including BC Premier Gordon Campbell. The Toba Montrose Project is expected to be completed mid-2010 and will be the largest run-of-river project in the province.
Future Calls for Power
Plutonic Power is currently pursuing two project proposals under the 2008 Clean Power Call. The Upper Toba Valley Project consists of 3 project sites with a total potential generating capacity of approximately 166 MW and the Bute Inlet Project consists of 17 project sites with a total potential generating capacity of approximately 1027 MW.
Rising electricity prices
Most analysts expect that energy prices will remain high for the foreseeable future. High energy prices benefit Plutonic by further strengthening the economic case for renewable power.
Emission Reduction Credits revenue opportunity
Emission reduction credits (ERCs) are negotiable financial instruments that represent an offset of greenhouse gases. It is expected that within the next few years these offset credits could represent substantial financial value. Some of Plutonic's projects may have the potential to offset hundreds of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, thus creating further value for shareholders.
Continued need for domestic electricity supply
Domestic demand has been increasing at a compounding 2% per year. The Independent Power Producers Association of BC has determined that it is far less expensive for the province to buy domestically-generated power than to import from the United States and Alberta. There is an urgent need for the development of domestic power generation in BC. Plutonic Power is well positioned to help BC meet this electricity need.
Long term assets
Once built, Plutonic's suite of renewable energy projects are designed and engineered to operate for decades, thus providing a long and stable stream of cash flow to investors.
No commodity fuel risks
Unlike gas and coal generated power plants, which are economically affected by changes in commodity prices, Plutonic's projects are powered by rainwater, glacial runoff and wind. On the sales side, energy purchase agreements are normally made under long term contracts (25-40 year terms), which are annually inflated according to a CPI escalator. EPA's are made with high credit buyers such as BC Hydro, a provincial crown corporation with an S&P credit rating of AA.
Non-depleting and renewable resource
Unlike oil and gas, the resource that will power the Company's projects, rainwater, glacial runoff and wind are completely renewable and non-depleting. A renewable resource is defined as energy source that can be replenished through natural processes or through sustainable management practices within one human life span.
Tight Capital structure
Plutonic has approximately 65.2 million common shares outstanding and 70 million shares fully diluted outstanding.
Insider ownership
Management, Directors and Insiders of the company own approximately 15% of the outstanding shares.
The Economics of Renewable Energy Systems for Developing Countries
The author examines three projects employing some of the more sophisticated renewable energy technologies: solar pumps in Senegal, biogas plants in India, and solar-electric pumps in Chad. He presents a careful economic analysis and concludes that none of these technologies is now a good investment, nor does any of them appear likely to become a good investment in the next decade.
"Most renewable energy devices now tend to be attractive primarily to people already using costly commercial power. Just as is happening in the United States, for example, some Third World city-dwellers are discovering that solar energy may be cheaper than electricity for heating water ... Such systems will be of greatest use to the wealthy; there is little reason to suppose they will be of comparable interest to the poor."
"Rather than concentrating on devices of the sort described above, organizations concerned with the poor might seek to meet basic energy needs through simpler systems: village woodlots, improved wood stoves, hand or pedal pumps and grinders, hydraulic ram pumps, and so on. Emphasis would be on systems whose benefits were likely to be commensurate with their costs, and whose costs were likely to be within reach of the poor. Given this approach, ways might be found to make energy widely available to people most in need of it."
In addition to pointing out the dubious appeal of the higher cost group of alternative technologies, the methods of economic analysis clearly presented here can be used to help evaluate other renewable energy technologies. This report will also be helpful to people who need to understand the methods and concepts of analysis often used by major aid agencies.
"Most renewable energy devices now tend to be attractive primarily to people already using costly commercial power. Just as is happening in the United States, for example, some Third World city-dwellers are discovering that solar energy may be cheaper than electricity for heating water ... Such systems will be of greatest use to the wealthy; there is little reason to suppose they will be of comparable interest to the poor."
"Rather than concentrating on devices of the sort described above, organizations concerned with the poor might seek to meet basic energy needs through simpler systems: village woodlots, improved wood stoves, hand or pedal pumps and grinders, hydraulic ram pumps, and so on. Emphasis would be on systems whose benefits were likely to be commensurate with their costs, and whose costs were likely to be within reach of the poor. Given this approach, ways might be found to make energy widely available to people most in need of it."
In addition to pointing out the dubious appeal of the higher cost group of alternative technologies, the methods of economic analysis clearly presented here can be used to help evaluate other renewable energy technologies. This report will also be helpful to people who need to understand the methods and concepts of analysis often used by major aid agencies.
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