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! (more…)

Solar lights are used mostly in off-grid cases, on small or large scale. The cheapest and smallest solar light consists of three elements:

• small solar panel,
• small LED diode,
• rechargeable battery, in most cases AAA size,

with a bit of additional electronics. Such lights are used, for example, to light up your garden paths at night, if you don’t want to install electric cables there. (more…)

All solar photovoltaic panels are made of smaller parts, called solar cells. Those solar cells can be purchased separately and soldered together to form a desired array. A photovoltaic panel will have desired voltage if proper number of cells is connected in series, and will be able to supply desired current if the right number of cells will be conected in parallel. It’s those cells that create electric current from solar energy.

In most cases you are not exactly looking for a solar cell, but for the entire solar panel. The solar photovoltaic panel not only holds the right number of cells conected in a proper manner, but those cells are also protected by hardened glass and housing. In some cases even this panel may be prepared for mounting to solar rack (array mounting rack) or so called solartrack.

However, if you’re a DIY enthusiast and if you want to save money, you may purchase separate solar cells and connect them the way you like.

Solar cells are also installed in many solar powered devices, for example solar lights, calculators, solar chargers, etc. (more…)