Off-Grid Stuff

Solar photovoltaic panels are used to make electricity from solar radiation. It is one of very few ways of making electrical energy without using rotating parts, like in alternators. Those panels (also known as solar modules) are made from smaller parts, called solar cells.

Most solar photovoltaic panels are made to work with 12V systems, like the one you have in your car. It’s because this system is probably the most popular, it’s not very unusual to have solar photovoltaic panel on your camper or caravan. Of course you can always use those panels to get higher voltage, by connecting two or more panels in series. But be aware, that you will always get direct current (DC), not the alternating current (AC) you have in your wall sockets!

Because of what I mentioned above, if you want to power your home devices from solar photovoltaic panel, you would need at least an inverter. And a battery bank if you want to use those devices not only when the sun is shining.

TPI Irradiance Solar Meter for Photovoltaic PV Panels £79.00 Auction Ends: Saturday May-19-2012 10:08:00 BST   | Watch this Item

10 pair MC4 Connector for solar panel male female, TUV, photovoltaic £11.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Saturday May-19-2012 10:41:56 BST   | Watch this Item

2X150W Solar Photovoltaic Panel (one pair of panels boxed) £534.41 Auction Ends: Saturday May-19-2012 15:44:05 BST   | Watch this Item

240W Mono Bosch Solar PV Panel MCS Approved Photovoltaic Monochrystaline Watts £310.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Saturday May-19-2012 21:04:40 BST   | Watch this Item

10 pairs MC4 Connector for solar panel male female, TUV, photovoltaic connector £14.42 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 5:58:10 BST   | Watch this Item

10 pair MC4 Connector for solar panel male female, TUV, photovoltaic £11.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:12:08 BST   | Watch this Item

Siemens ST5 photovoltaic solar panel 12v 5w. Renewable energy industrial quality £29.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 19:35:18 BST   | Watch this Item

You can find more solar on eBay, as well as all the accessories needed to put this energy to use.

Photovoltaics is not a very efficient way to make use of solar energy, if you’re looking for something much more efficient, check the solar thermal systems, like solar water heaters I mentioned previously.