Prime Solar Products - Articles and Reviews

Solar Patio Umbrella -- Patio lighting the Solar way

Jeff — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:38:20 +0000

One goal of Prime Solar Products is to identify solar products that provide solar alternatives to everyday products at a reasonable price. The solar patio umbrella fits this, and goes a step further. If you're like me, your backyard deck or patio gets plenty of sun, and your patio umbrella gets plenty of sunlight and provides valuable shade protection. Add solar panels to the top of the umbrella, and lights under the umbrella, and you've got the solar patio umbrella.

Features

Solar patio umbrella is available in various different color and sizes, with UV and weather protection. The solar panels are built in to the top of the umbrella, and most models include LED lights built-in to the underside of the umbrella, with no exposed wires between the panels and the lights.

LED Lighting

The solar umbrella provides lighting from the built-in LED (usually) lights, giving you a great lighting solution for your patio table and outdoor get-together. Sometimes the deck or house flood lights are too strong, or just don't give the direct lighting you want at your table, or you may want the extra lighting, but the Solar Patio Umbrella lights can give you what you are looking for--all from solar power.

This is a great use of solar technology, and the umbrella lighting really adds functionality that is missing from the non-solar version. The solar panels allow you to store energy for your lights during the day, giving you the ability to turn on your umbrella lighting when you want in the evening.

Make sure to secure the solar umbrella to your patio furniture properly -- as you would with a non-solar umbrella. The solar panels are built into the umbrella, and most likely won't last long if the umbrella comes loose and tumbles across your yard. This won't be a problem with a normal patio weighted umbrella base.

Solar Lighted Patio Umbrella (beige)

Solid Benefits for the Price

If you've got a deck or patio with an umbrella, then consider a solar patio umbrella and the added benefits. Check out the available selection of umbrellas in the Home & Garden section of our online store, and I think you'll find that the prices are comparable to non-solar umbrellas. Starting at about $80, with the added lighting functionality, using only solar power, these solar umbrellas make sense and for the cost, provide true benefits for the price.

Cool Spring Ideas - Solar Garden Lights

Jeff — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:40:17 +0000

Solar garden lights are both a fun and practical way to go green. They can be attractive accents to your yard or garden; indeed, they can beautify any place you could choose to put them, on your lawn, deck, patio, or in a garden path. These lights, also called photovoltaic or PV lights, are highly versatile, and can be installed anywhere, in a variety of styles - hanging lights, spotlights (for highlighting a piece of sculpture, a particular decoration, or just illuminating the address on your house), or even swimming pool lights.

Great Looking and Practical

Not only does PV lighting add a touch of elegance to your landscaping, it is also a way to increase safety and security. A well-lit yard can deter thieves; a well-illuminated walkway can prevent falls or other accidents, and be a help to guests coming to your home at night. Swimming pool lights will ensure that people, especially children, don't accidentally fall into the water.

Save Green, Go Green

Solar lighting is both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. With just a simple solar panel and a few LEDs, you can have a very low-maintenance and low-cost lighting system that draws free energy from the sun. The only maintenance cost would be replacement batteries for each light from time to time. Solar rechargeable batteries are designed to last up to a 1000 nights or more; this would certainly be easy on your pocketbook to replace them only every 2-3 years!

Easy to Use

Outdoor garden lights work in a very simple fashion. A photocell in the solar light can be adjusted so that it faces toward the sun throughout the day and collects solar energy. When the sun sets, a built-in photo sensor turns on the light. For the first hours, their light is intensely bright, and becomes less radiant as the night wears on. The solar lights will remain lighted until the battery runs dry of the solar energy it stored during daylight hours, or until sunrise.

Installation Is a Snap

These solar lights are also easy to install, as there is no wiring involved. The only reason you might need wiring is if you really wish to place the lights in an area that is heavily shaded in daytime; then you would need to install a solar panel and run wiring to the lights. Otherwise, it is a matter of placing the lights where they will be exposed to sunshine most of the day.

Unfortunately, you also need to consider that thieves may like your lights so well they steal them. A way of deterrence is to permanently affix your solar patio lights or deck lights to that surface. That isn't so hard if you know how to use a screwdriver!

Solar garden lights will add a lot of aesthetic value and to your landscaping, in addition to the practical, economical reasons mentioned.

About the Author

Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar expert from Colorado. Visit his site at Solar Power Panels, Kits, & Systems.

Basic Principles of Solar Panels and Power

Jeff — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:28:09 +0000

Solar power and solar panels are getting a lot of attention as part of the solution to our energy crisis. Solar energy, also called photovoltaic energy, is undergoing rapid changes thanks to massive investment in research and development. This article will discuss the basic makeup of photovoltaics in hopefully easy-to-understand terms.

Solar Cells

A solar panel is made of several photovoltaic cells. The cells are very thin, about 1/100th of an inch thick and usually 3 to 4 inches square. These cells convert sunlight to energy by the photovoltaic effect (we will discuss this effect in detail in a later article). These cells do not require fuel and have a standard lifetime of 20-30 years.

Solar Panels & Modules

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are assembled together to create a solar module. The module is what you are used to seeing as a panel. It has anywhere from 2 to 200 cells assembled together, encased in tempered glass and aluminum to make them weather resistant.

Tying Them Together

Like batteries, cells can be combined in series or in parallel to create larger and more specific voltages and amperages. For instance, four 1-volt/1-amp cells in series will combine for 4 volts, but the amperage will stay at 1 amp. By contrast, four 1-volt/1-amp cells in parallel will maintain 1 volt but have 4 amps of output. You can multiply the amperage by the wattage (in the example above 4 x 1) to get the watts generated. A watt is a measure of energy (think of a 40-watt light bulb).

Sizes and Shapes

Modules can be made in a many sizes and shapes to fit their application. Panels come in standard rectangular, triangular, foldable, and even thin-film rolls. This means they can be used in a wide variety of applications, from boats and rv's to electric cars and space stations.

The Solar Array

Modules are combined to create solar arrays. An array is a group of modules assembled together and designed to meet a certain electrical load. You've probably seen most arrays mounted on the rooftops of homes. These arrays are designed to generate a certain amount of electricity over the course of a year.

Efficiencies

Generally solar modules convert about 10-15% of the energy that strikes them into electricity. This means that for every 100 units of energy that actually hit the panel, only 15 of them actually enter the home as electricity. This is the biggest area of research now, as scientists recognize that significant advancements in solar efficiency will lead to cheaper solar energy.

AC vs DC

Panels generate direct current (DC) electricity. Think of a garden hose that is simply turned on produces water in a steady stream. Most household electronics and the electrical power grid are designed to take alternating current (AC) power. Now imagine that the water of coming out of the garden hose is being turned off and on so quickly that it has a "pulse". This is done because AC power travels over long distances much more efficiently.

This means however, that the electricity coming out of the solar array must be converted to AC if it is going into your home. This is done with an inverter, which takes the DC power and makes AC power. The power is then ready to service your home, an electrical grid, or a device. Some devices (certain lights, batteries, special devices) use DC power and therefore do not need an inverter.

Check out Solar Panels for more information.

About the Author

Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar expert from Colorado. Visit his site at Solar Power Kits.

Solar Emergency Radio / Flashlight / Weather Band - the Eton FR150

Jeff — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:42:58 +0000

From personal experience, after taking shelter in a safe location during a weather emergency that cuts all power, one of the first things you want to know is "what's going on?" Having a battery-powered radio or flashlight will come in handy, but conserving battery power is also a priority. The Eton FR150 provides radio, flashlight and weather band access in these situations, able to be powered by solar charge or hand crank, all for about $30 (with free shipping) at the time of this article.

Packed with features. The Eton FR150 includes a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, with both hand crank and solar panel power options. You can also charge the FR150 using a USB port charger (using the USB connection from your computer to charge it, for example) by way of a mini-USB connector (cord not included). If you are like me, you've probably got a number of USB cords, possibly including a USB wall adapter and a USB car charger, giving you some options to charge the FR150.

Use the FR150 to Charge your Cell Phone. You can also use the FR150 to charge your cell phone with the included charging cord, although with today's non-standard cell phone connectors, finding the right adapter to make this work with your particular phone may be a longshot. There is an option to obtain the correct adapter for your phone through a registration process. In a true emergency, having the ability to charge your cell phone with the hand-crank (or solar panels) could come in very handy.

American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Red)

The flashlight includes 3 bright white LEDs, and the FM/AM radio also can tune weather, FCC and EAS public alert broadcasts. Also, this thing is small! At 5 x 2.25 x 1.5 inches, this is not going to take up much room on your window-sill (while charging) or in your storage closet. It will also fit very nicely into your backpack, rolled up in your sleeping bag or with your other camping gear, while taking this with you on a camping trip. I like that this is so small.

Click here to see the selection of solar radios and emergency devices available in the Electronics section of our Online Store, including other solar radio alternatives, and also the FR150 available in colors other than red.

I've seen reports that the FR150 doesn't provide the best radio reception power. You might have trouble picking up stations from an isolated campground or basement location. Also, one thing to note is that these batteries can be prone to full discharge, leaving the battery unable to hold a charge. It may be worthwhile to keep this charged via the solar panel on a regular basis, to minimize possible battery problems. There is a small green light that will let you know whether the solar panels or crank is generating enough power to charge the internal battery, which is nice.

Devices like this are Must-Haves. I recommend that everyone have a device like this stored in a handy place that can be quickly reached in the event of an emergency, providing radio, flashlight and even phone charging capability through hand-crank and/or solar means. The Eton FR150 has the right idea, in a very handy, compact size, for the right price! I mention it briefly above, but these things also come in very handy as an emergency backup (or even a primary-use device) during a camping trip or outdoor hiking.

Have an FR150? I'd love to hear your comments!

Advantages of a Solar Attic Fan

Jeff — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:45:54 +0000

Are you currently using an electric attic fan or some sort of electric ventilation system at home? Then have you ever thought of installing a solar attic fan? When most people think of solar products, they immediately think "expensive!", but when we investigated getting a solar powered attic fan and compared it to conventional ventilation systems, it was obvious which way we were going to go.

There are so many clear benefits for getting a solar attic fan, that you would be crazy not to invest in one. But before we delve into the reasons for buying one, we will quickly explain how a solar powered attic fan works:

A solar attic fan is a solar powered vertical turbine, that is installed on the highest point on your roof - usually the attic (hence the name). As soon as the sun hits the solar panels, the turbine starts to spin, drawing warm air out of the house.

As the sun rises further and the temperature in the house rises, the warm air in the house naturally rises to the attic, where it is then sucked out by the fan. This warm air is replaced by cool air that is drawn in from outside. And your house stays cool!

Okay, now that you understand how it works, let's explain why a solar powered attic fan is such a good investment:

1 - Easy Cheap Installation:

When electric attic fans are installed, they need to be wired up to your electricity. This wiring obviously needs to be done by a qualified electrician with an electricity permit and inspection. This costs money, and it can take up to 6 hours to get the system working.

On the other hand, a solar attic fan has its own power source - the sun - so no wiring is needed. This means you require no electricity permits to install the fan. All you need to do is follow the accompanying step-by-step instructions. And at most it will take you 2 hours to get it working.

2 - Non-Stop Operation:

With an electric attic fan, to save power, it is usually equipped with a thermostat. This regulates the operation of the fan, so that it only spins once the attic reaches a certain temperature - usually 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The drawback to this is that by the time the ventilation starts the house is already warm (remember warm air rises), so it will take some time for it to cool down.

However, since a solar powered attic fan uses no electricity, it can operate all day long, from when the sun rises until a little after the sun sets. So air is constantly circulating in your home, regardless of the temperature, keeping your home well-ventilated and cool.

3 - Prolongs Roof Life:

If you haven't installed an attic fan yet, then maybe it is time you invested in a solar attic fan. The reason?

During cold winter months heat trapped in your attic can melt snow on your roof. As the the water trickles down, it collects and refreezes in the cooler eaves or gutters, leading to costly and destructive ice damming. By having a solar powered attic fan, it requires minimal sunlight to operate and keep the attic cool.

Furthermore, warm moisture from showering and cooking tends to rise and get trapped in the attic. This leads to mold and mildew that can saturate your insulation and cause fungal decay and destruction of your roof frame and decking. With a solar attic fan, the attic stays well-ventilated, preventing any mildew from growing.

4 - Did We Say Free Energy?

Electric ventilation systems tend to use a lot of power, leading to higher electricity bills, especially during summer months.

Whereas, with a solar powered attic fan, it requires none of your household power to operate. All it needs is some sunlight - which when we last checked was FREE. So the only cost you have to worry about is the initial investment. After that, it costs absolutely nothing to operate it.

Also, most states offer tax incentives for installing renewable energy technology at home. This lowers the initial cost of a solar attic fan.

5 - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:

Electric fans need power to operate. And where does that power come from? Well, burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and nuclear power station - which all emit carbon that pollutes our air and causes global warming.

A solar attic fan, on the other hand, use no electricity, so it helps reduce your carbon footprint, thus helping the environment.

So many people talk about "green this" and "green that", but very few actually get involved. Now that you know how easy, cost-effective, and "green" it is to install a solar powered attic fan, you can "walk the talk" and actually live a greener, cleaner life.

A DIY installed solar attic fan starts at around $400 (excl. tax and incentives), which is a small price to pay for free ventilation and reducing your energy dependence.

Tim McDonald and his wife have been living off the grid since June 2008. He recommends you Try Earth4Energy For FREE before you go out and start any home solar power project.

Hey! Tim McDonald here. Together with my wife, Trudy, we have been off the grid since June 2008. We are green energy enthusiasts at heart and now want to share our passion with the world. If you want to learn to make your own power at home then visit our website at DIY-Renewable-Energy dot COM, where you will find a wealth of information.

http://diy-renewable-energy.com/