With a few bits and pieces -- a battery, a solar panel and charge controller, and either a 12-volt socket (cigarette lighter adaptor) or an inverter to change DC power into AC -- you can get involved with solar energy in a basic, inexpensive way, and gather enough energy from the sun to power quite a few small appliances, as well as recharge batteries that run everything from vacuum cleaners to power drills and flashlights.
Every watt of energy saved helps break our disgraceful dependence on OPEC (for a quarter to a fifth of our daily oil needs). What helps the most is developing the habit of looking for ways to conserve, and using alternative sources of power whenever possible. Running most of your handheld power tools on energy gathered from the sun is a great way to start. And it’s fun.
Most of us who run boats and RVs, and who tinker a bit under the hoods of our cars, are familiar with 12-volt batteries, at least the type used to start engines, as opposed to deep-cycle 12-volt batteries, which are designed and built somewhat differently, and for different purposes. If you’re new to 12-volt systems, read 12-Volt DC Basics, then 12-Volt Safety Issues. After that, if you’re interested in getting involved, read more fundamentals in the other posts in our 12-Volt Power category. If you're not a tinkerer, and would prefer to jump into solar power with both feet, consult www.findsolar.com for professional installers in your area.
Doug Logan, New Energy Watch
Solar Energy is the most easily available and free source of energy. It is the most important out of non-conventional sources of energy too, it is non polluting, available for all and convenient source therefore helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.
Posted by: hot water heater systems | 24 November 2010 at 12:31 AM