Saturday, September 3, 2011

Nevada Solar One

Nevada Solar One has a 64-MW generating capacity and is located in Boulder City, Nevada. It was built by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Acciona Solar. Nevada Solar One uses parabolic troughs as thermal solar concentrators, heating tubes of liquid which act as solar receivers. These solar receivers are specially coated tubes made of glass and steel, and about 19,300 of these four meter long tubes are used in the newly built power plant. Nevada Solar One also uses a technology that collects extra heat by putting it into phase-changing molten salts. This energy can then be drawn at night. Solar thermal power plants designed for solar-only generation are well matched to summer noon peak loads in prosperous areas with significant cooling demands, such as the south-western United States. Using thermal energy storage systems, solar thermal operating periods can even be extended to meet baseload needs. The cost of Nevada Solar One is in the range of $220–250 million. The power produced is slightly more expensive than wind power, but less than photovoltaic (PV) power.

Mojave Desert's Solar Plant

There are several solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which supply power to the electricity grid. Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is the name given to nine solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which were built in the 1980s. These plants have a combined capacity of 354 megawatts (MW) making them the largest solar power installation in the world.Nevada Solar One is a solar thermal plant with a 64 MW generating capacity, located near Boulder City, Nevada.The Copper Mountain Solar Facility is a 48 MW photovoltaic power plant in Boulder City, Nevada. The Blythe Solar Power Project is a 968 MW solar thermal power station under construction in Riverside County, California. The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility is a 370 MW facility under construction which will consist of three separate solar thermal power plants. There are also plans to build other large solar plants in the Mojave Desert.[4] Insolation (solar radiation) in the Mojave Desert is among the best available in the United States, and some significant population centers are located in the area. These plants can generally be built in a few years because solar plants are built almost entirely with modular, readily available materials, although financing has been difficult and the projects typically receive government-backed financing.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Make Solar Light For Your Bike

As everyone knows that solar lights have great use in the industry. People use them in a variety of applications to fulfill their needs in a cost effective way. Lets talk about bike lights. They are definitely used for the safety of riders and provide additional lights at night. As you know that some older bike lights use a small generator to power them. In this system, the intensity of light depends on the current speed of the bike which is a problem. Therefore, to resolve this problem, solar lights are used. Lets make solar bike light for your bike.

First of all, to the back side of the bike, safe the battery with the help of a bike cargo carrier. Then join these units to the back of the bike exact the place of bike light (normally over the back tire). Remember that the battery should be closed to the bike as much as possible. After that, take a 12 volt bike light and join it to the front of the bike according to the manufacturer's instructions. Perform the functions of bike light wires and tie wraps to hold the wires in accurate position. Then connect a 12 volt switch to the handle bars.

Attach the positive wire directly to the positive terminal of the battery. Same as join the negative wire of the bike light to first light switch. Then connect the second light switch terminal directly to the negative terminal of the battery with the help of black electrical wire. Fix the solar panel on the back of the battery, so that the main side of solar panel is towards the sun. The size of solar panel should be at most 12×12 inches. Broaden the red solar panel wire to the battery and join it to the positive terminal. Now expand the black negative solar panel wire over the negative terminal of the battery and secure it.

Recondition Your Solar Panels

If the solar panels get so old then people think about to buy and install new. But in today’s world, you can reconditioned your old panels because it has become more cheaper than installing a new one. But for this purpose, you have to be very careful while you are performing the recondition process. Because it is very subtile method and every small mistake can make your panel useless. So while refurbishing your solar pane, be very careful. Let’s start the reconditioning process.

First, try to find out that what type of system you are getting. If your system is new then you should use a polycarbonate or twin-wall carbonate for refurnishing it. But if you have older panels then consider to use a sheet of glass. After that, cut and remove the discolored covering on the transparent side of your panel. Use a pocket knife for that purpose. If the coverings are hard then remove it with the help of a flat-head screwdriver. Observe the surface of the cells. If it has obvious damage such as cuts, breaks or dents then replace these cells. Check and make sure that all the circuit connection are not loose or corroded. If so then repair it.

Start to spray insulation in the bottom as well as back of the panel’s casing. For this purpose, select such insulation which has high-density and at least R-7 grade/inch. Use a barbecue paint to paint it. For high temperature, a flat-black engine paint is the best option. After that, take a fresh glass sheet or a carbonate sheet and insert it in place of old transparent covering as a replacement. Then seal your panels with contractor-grade silicone. The purpose is to keep condensation out. Now, reconditioning of your solar panel panel is completed.

Top Reasons To Buy Solar Lights

As you know that solar lights have great use in the industry. The basic reason is that they are always cost effective as well as reliable for a long time. So progressive countries always rely on solar lights to fulfill their energy needs. Specially in generating electricity, they are great resource. Now, they are becoming the part of human’s life. From your home till large electricity projects, solar lights are everywhere now. Here are the given top reasons that why people prefer to buy solar lights for their different uses.

First of all, solar lights help to reduce carbon dioxide gas. Also, they are simple and easy to install almost anywhere like home, lawn, gardens, patio, gazebos, fences, walls, driveways, etc. They are charged from sun at the day time without any cost and spending electricity. If you full time charge them in the sunlight then they can last up to six hours which are enough for the needs of a single day. You can not only fix them but also change their positions anytime you want. From solar lights, you can charge your windows even their blinds too.

Solar lights designed for specific purposes such as runways and driveways, don’t need any wiring, cabling or placement issues. One more important benefit is that solar lights have very little or sometimes no need of repairing or maintenance. Minimum life of solar lights are till 1 year. They are used at any place where sunlight is available. Mostly, they are ideal for outdoor purpose such as occasions, festivals, camping, etc. Solar street lights are also made to keep the environment clean and free from any type of negative and harmful rays of electricity as well as sun.

Solar Security Lights – Best To Keep Your Place Safe

Do you have a plan to insert outdoor solar lights outside your home? Think that if they can safe your home then how will be it? Definitely you can use solar security lights for security purpose. People normally think that there is no difference between solar flood lights and solar security lights but they are different. So first we have to clear our concept about the difference between these two. The solar flood light remains work as long as it is turned on. While, a solar security light is a kind of flood light but it has a passive infrared sensor that detects movement. This light is turned on only when the sensor activates it. This activation is usually remains on for only one minute. But some other models of this light are also available in the market whose activation time is till upto 10 minutes.

So this is a very important feature for security purpose that light is turned on automatically when it is activated by the sensor. You can charge its battery at the day time. Although, it is turned on anytime when activated but in spite of this, it is not get dim. Normally, solar security lights are designed with a small solar panel which is connected by a wire to that light. Solar security lights are available in the market with different lengths of wire but the ideal length you have to choose is 15 feet (atleast). Due to this ideal length, you have a big flexibility of inserting your light where ever you want.

Not only for home, solar security lights can also be used to make any place secure which you want. But one thing you have to remember that insert them in such places where it can absorb proper sun light. Otherwise you will not avail benefit completely from that lights. Solar security lights are a viable option for the security purpose of different places. The major advantage of these lights is that they still works during a power interruption. Also, one more thing keep in your mind, the intensity of light. If you want these lights more brighter, try to buy halogen bulb models. But also try the LED models as well because they can also provide you a good brightness of light.

Centrosolar Launched S-Series Solar Panels

One of the most reputed organization in solar industry of the world Centrosolar introduced S-series solar panels. The Canadian subsidiary of Centrosolar launched this solar panel. It is basically a photovoltaic module which has come in the market to sell for everyone. It is designed in Germany and manufactured in Ontario. It is made for the use of both residential and commercial purposes. The CEO of Centrosolar Canad Mr. Deep Chakraborty said that we are very excited to introduce our first solar PV panel which is Canada based. This will allow us to meet the rapid and growing demand for solar energy in Ontario Feed-in-Tar.iff program.

The S-series solar module can frequently work in both sunny and cloudy weather. It is specially designed by analyzing the weather conditions of Canada that contains snow, hail, high level winds and extreme temperatures. It contain a chemical resistant as well as a flame retardant back sheet. This photovoltaic module has 60 polycrystalline silicon cells which have very high efficiency. Its standout feature has high load rating which is up to 5400 Pa. This rating is measured by the IEC 61215 advanced testing.

The S-Series solar panel is available in the market with MC-4 snap connectors standard. It gives a positive power tolerance rate of 0 – 4.99 W, which converts it into more power out of 235 W. The Centrosolar has the “all in one-box” solar system in the world. It provides Canadian installers all the components that are used in installing solar panels. Either they are used for domestic or commercial purpose, their results and feedback which is coming from the market is very positive and satisfactory. In the upcoming days, it will boost the solar energy industry.

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