You can make your own portable solar water heater for very little money. Take it with you when you go camping, or place it in the garden to use for hand washing when you are outside. You will have free hot water wherever you are, as long as the sun shines.
What you need:
You will need, a car or truck inner tube, these are available quite cheaply from a car parts store, or you can pick one up for free from a breakers yard. This is where your water is going to be stored, so the bigger it is the more hot water your heater will make. You will also need, a length of garden hose, some rubber sealing compound, a hose pipe coupler to connect your hose to the water reservoir, and a nozzle to act as a tap, or a sprinkler if you want to use your hot water as a shower.
Building your heater:
Check your inner tube for leaks by partially inflating it, and then submerging it in water. Check for bubbles, if you see any rising it will show where the hole is. Repair any holes using a puncture repair kit. Once your tube is airtight cut a hole in the tube opposite the valve. Make this hole just big enough to accept the end of your hose coupler. Insert the coupler into this hole, and cover with rubber solution to seal it in place. Connect your hose, and nozzle to the coupler, and there you have it, your solar water heater is complete.
Filling your heater:
To fill your water heater you can use a funnel, and poor water down the hose. The other method is, if you close the hose nozzle and inflate the tire. then place the end of the hose into a body of water, possibly a lake if you are camping, or a rain water-butt if you are in the garden, and let the air out of the tire, it will suck up water as he air exits the tube.
Using your heater:
Once filled simply leave it out in the sun to heat. Placing it on the roof, or hood of a car, or roof of a camper, will heat the quickest. If it is in the garden then placing it on a shed or outhouse roof is ideal. To use you can either hang over a tree branch, or raise it up some other way.
Storing your heater:
To store simply empty the inner tube, and roll it up. It will easily ft in a backpack, or small case. Your heater can be set up and used in no time. You can now use your portable solar water heater anywhere you go. Enjoy your free hot water.
Learn ways to produce green energy:
Do you want to disconnect from the grid, and make your own electricity? Find out how by visiting this how to build solar panels guide at www.how-to-build-solar-panels-at-home.blogspot.com/. Convert your home to solar energy for less. Save the planet, and say goodbye to those large electricity bills.
View the original article here
Monday, 28 February 2011
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Why Do I Need an Inverter for My Home Solar Energy System
All contemporary home solar energy systems come with an inverter as part of the system.
Energy collected from the sun is at a higher current than home and domestic electricity supplied from commercial sources.
The electricity generated from the solar panels is termed DC. This stands for direct current. This basically means that the current flows in one direction. The wiring that carries this current needs to be a heavier cable. These cables become hotter due to the increase energy carried along them. If the cable that carries this charge is too fine it can cause over heating, shorting and poor performance.
The electricity we get from our electricity wall socket in our homes is AC which means alternating current.
The inverter changes DC into AC current. AC current in our homes is at 240 Volts suitable for use with most electrical appliances.
The inverter allows the current to flow one way. The current is transformed to AC and not allowed to go back to the panel. The inverter allows the current to be used either within the house or if the panel is producing more than is being used, it can be shunted to the grid. In many countries, households are then credited if the energy produced is less than that consumed by that house.
AC and DC vary in the amount of energy they can carry also.
With DC power each battery or solar panel is designed to produce a constant voltage and cannot be changed. So a 9 volt battery will provide 9 volts of power.
Appliances that have AC or DC means that they can run on either battery power or be plugged into the wall and run on electricity.
AC voltage can be increased or decreased by a transformer. There is a transformer on the power pole outside our homes that converts it for use in our homes.
AC is safer to transfer over longer distances and gives more power. Which is why we use this form for the general public for safety and for economic reasons.
So in summary, the inverter is needed to allow the energy captured by the panels to be safely transformed into a suitable voltage for domestic use.
In over 40 countries across the world, solar is being utilised domestically more now than ever due to the concerns about global warming and renewable energy use.
As the general public become more aware of the contemporary challenges facing the worlds population, the call to action to change our practices will gain momentum. As more people gain the knowledge, more will demand affordable options and more knowledge about the pros and cons of the new energy sources. As the demand grows so too will the technology become more and more refined. How we use and view solar energy may will be different in a few years.
For options on portable solar panels, visit http://www.solarportablepanels.com/
View the original article here
Energy collected from the sun is at a higher current than home and domestic electricity supplied from commercial sources.
The electricity generated from the solar panels is termed DC. This stands for direct current. This basically means that the current flows in one direction. The wiring that carries this current needs to be a heavier cable. These cables become hotter due to the increase energy carried along them. If the cable that carries this charge is too fine it can cause over heating, shorting and poor performance.
The electricity we get from our electricity wall socket in our homes is AC which means alternating current.
The inverter changes DC into AC current. AC current in our homes is at 240 Volts suitable for use with most electrical appliances.
The inverter allows the current to flow one way. The current is transformed to AC and not allowed to go back to the panel. The inverter allows the current to be used either within the house or if the panel is producing more than is being used, it can be shunted to the grid. In many countries, households are then credited if the energy produced is less than that consumed by that house.
AC and DC vary in the amount of energy they can carry also.
With DC power each battery or solar panel is designed to produce a constant voltage and cannot be changed. So a 9 volt battery will provide 9 volts of power.
Appliances that have AC or DC means that they can run on either battery power or be plugged into the wall and run on electricity.
AC voltage can be increased or decreased by a transformer. There is a transformer on the power pole outside our homes that converts it for use in our homes.
AC is safer to transfer over longer distances and gives more power. Which is why we use this form for the general public for safety and for economic reasons.
So in summary, the inverter is needed to allow the energy captured by the panels to be safely transformed into a suitable voltage for domestic use.
In over 40 countries across the world, solar is being utilised domestically more now than ever due to the concerns about global warming and renewable energy use.
As the general public become more aware of the contemporary challenges facing the worlds population, the call to action to change our practices will gain momentum. As more people gain the knowledge, more will demand affordable options and more knowledge about the pros and cons of the new energy sources. As the demand grows so too will the technology become more and more refined. How we use and view solar energy may will be different in a few years.
For options on portable solar panels, visit http://www.solarportablepanels.com/
View the original article here
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