It was not so long ago that solar lights seemed like a great idea, but in real life they just couldn’t deliver on their promise. With an extremely short battery life and producing only a minimal amount of light, solar lights seemed less than prepared for prime time.

However, the solar lights now available are an entirely different thing in comparison to what was out there just a year or two back.

The new generations of solar lights are better designed, longer lasting and much brighter than previous models. New solar lights are also cheaper, making them a better value all around.

You may find a similar change when you compare the technology in the first series of Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. The original concept was good, but they didn’t have a clue what technology would bring twenty years down the road.

The evolution of solar lights is analogous to that of cell phones over the last fifteen years. Cell phones in the mid to late 1990s tended to be very expensive and rather bulky; only a few early adopters thought them worth the trouble. As ever smaller and more powerful microchips have been produced, the size of cell phones has become manageable and the prices so affordable that these phones have become ubiquitous.

Batteries have also come a long way in recent years. Ultra thin batteries are now available which provide more power and longer life than batteries four times their size did only a couple of years ago.

These same technological advances have been used in the new solar lights that you see on the market. A one day charge in good daylight will let the solar lights shine for several nights now.

Solar powered lights have also largely abandoned incandescent bulbs in favor of highly efficient light emitting diode arrays (LEDs).

LED arrays used with a single reflector give solar lights the luminescence of a 220 volt incandescent bulb - but there are many advantages to the latest wave of solar lights over the older models:

1. Long product life: 10,000 hours of use

2. The bulbs are completely maintenance free

3. 9% higher efficiency than solar lights using incandescent bulbs while using a mere 3 watts of power.

4. LEDs are safe for use anywhere, outdoors or in

With the new technology offered by the LEDs, the new battery capabilities and the new photovoltaic technology of the solar panels, you can easily convert sunlight into free solar power.

New generation solar lights are a low cost and efficient outdoor lighting system which offers versatility for outdoor lighting designs.

Solar lighting doesn’t need any sort of wiring, so they’re easy to install anywhere you want them. As long as they get enough sunlight to charge their batteries, they can be used to light gardens, walkways, decks and any other outdoor area.

Since they use solar energy, solar lights are free to use and will not strain your electrical wiring. Holiday displays using solar lights are free, festive and environmentally sound.

You can add attractive twinkling light to your holiday lights or for your outdoor entertaining in the summer.

These lights are perfect for lighting your garage or tool shed if you need to find something during a power outage.

Solar lights give you the freedom of easily installing lights wherever you want that will cost you nothing for the power it is all free from the sun!

Not only will this feel good in your wallet, but it can also help save our planet’s resources today and for years to come.

Since they’re easy enough to install and move as desired, you can change your outdoor lighting configuration whenever you like.

Since burglars like to ply their trade under the cover of darkness, solar lighting can make your home a more secure place. Thieves can’t cut the wires or put out these lights! Your solar lights will stay lit even when you’re not around, which deters thieves and protects your property.

Solar lights can also increase your curb appeal. If you go to sell your home, while most people will get a good look at it during the day, they may also drive by at night to see what it looks like. If you were the buyer, would you rather buy a house that is dark or one that is attractively lit up using free solar power?

Take a chance and try out the new world of solar lighting.

Few people realize the staggering amount of energy the sun radiates. This energy reaches us in the form of heat and daylight, which we utilize for various purposes. But solar energy can be used for so many other different purposes using the right technology.

By using technology that can absorb the solar energy provided by the sun, it is possible to convert it to various forms of energy that can be used in multiple ways. In these days, where we are dependent on fossil fuels that not only pollute the environment, but are also available in a finite amount, utilizing solar energy seems like a very good option.

One of the first things that people think of when they consider using the suns energy is solar panels or photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and turn it into electric power that can be used to power houses, offices, factories and other buildings. Solar energy is also used in solar powered water heaters, most commonly for household use. There are even portable solar powered battery chargers and green batteries on the market which are a great boon for those who camp or who may need to charge up their batteries away from home.

One additional way to benefit from solar energy is in building design. By designing a home in a specific way, it is possible for the sun’s rays to heat it during winter time, thus, significantly reducing heating costs. This is called Passive solar.

But the advantages of solar energy do not end here. Solar energy, unlike other sources of energy - such as fossil fuels - can provide clean, safe, and virtually endless amounts of power. Solar energy does not create any air pollution, nor does it create hazardous waste - this alone is worth switching to solar energy. Furthermore, as long as the sun continues shining on us, we are guaranteed that this source of energy will be around - no one can make this claim for fossil fuels, which, as everybody knows, we will eventually run out.

Whether solar power is used to generate electricity for household or commercial use or to power an automobile, it is obviously a valuable alternative to our current sources of energy. For now, our goal should be supplementing our existing energy sources, but eventually we should aspire to replace them completely.Not only solar energy is effective, but it also protect the earths valuable - and non-replenishable - resources. Assuming the present trend continues, before long, utilizing solar power should be affordable as any other alternative - this bodes well for our pocketbook - but more importantly, for the planet and ourselves.

Solar energy has been successfully tapped for power since olden days by adopting various methods. Solar energy is inexhaustible. It is eco-friendly and costs nothing, in its raw nature. It requires very little maintenance as compared to other forms of energy. Using solar energy to power domestic as well as commercial requirements is a hot subject of discussion in the current power crisis situation. Are you eager to build your own solar panel? If so, look upon yourself as fortunate since it is relatively simple, even for a beginner.

Construction of a solar panel can be divided into ten stages, which again is based on what your needs are, the quantum of solar power you would want to be produced and the number of solar panels you are keen on building.

The cost of building your own basic solar panel is not exorbitant. In fact, it is reasonably affordable for most households. Generally you can produce a solar panel for $200.00 or less that will generate enough electricity to see a savings from your monthly utility bill.

Some people that build solar panels connect them to their electric company utility grid to supplement the home-generated power and lessen the bills. Others want to completely disengage from the grid altogether and produce 100 % of the homes electrical power needs. To totally disconnect, you will likely need at least 4-5 solar panels with high sun exposure to generate sufficient power.

Here are the 10 steps you need to create your own solar panel:

Step 1: First figure out approximately how much electricity you desire to or need to generate. That will provide you with the estimate of the number of solar panels you should build. The common family household uses between 10,000 and 30,000 Watts of power daily. You should check your last few months of electric bills to see exactly how much power your household consumed. Each household varies somewhat depending on the amount of hot water, appliances, central air conditioning if any, age and size of the home, number of family members and other factors which impact on usage. Keep in mind a representative solar cell will generate approximately 2 Watts of power. That is one cell. A solar panel can contain hundreds or hundreds of thousands of cells. At 2 Watts per cell, you can see you will need between 5,000 and 15,000 distinct cells in the panel to provide all of the electric power for the home. Depending on the number of solar cells you require, the resulting figures show you must construct between 5 and 15 solar panels. As discussed above, however, nothing and no one requires you to go off the electrical grid and power your entire house by solar energy. You can simply choose to build less solar panels and provide only a supplement to your traditional electric power. The savings can still make your time and effort worthwhile in reducing your overall utility bill and of course any solar energy you generate is a positive effect on the environment.

Phase 2: Immediately after you compute the number of solar cells needed for the job; buy them on eBay, by mentioning chipped or broken solar cells on search engine. They happen to be financially viable being as efficacious as any new cells. You may purchase the solar cells from the shops in your area also; however, procuring them from eBay would be a better proposition.

Phase 3: Next, you will have to procure other related items also for the solar panels. They are: 1. Not too thick plywood (nearby hardware shop) 2. Flexi-glass about 0.5 inches in thickness (hardware shop). 3. Tin-coated tabbing cable (peruse in eBay). 4. Silicone (for closing up holes). 5. Solder iron (for linking the cells). 6. Rosin flux pen (for connecting your cells). 7. UV Protector (to prevent damage to your new solar panel). 8. Volt meter. The moment the aforesaid items are ready, you may begin assembling or erecting your very first solar panel.

Step 4: To begin the assembly cut the thin plywood into the proper size, clean it and lay out your cells on it so you know they will fit. Then add a number of layers of the UV Protector to the thin plywood so it can withstand sun damage.

Stage 5: Next, you will need to join the solar cells uniformly in a row. This is by no means easy, and it is difficult to elucidate them here, however, the simple procedures are: Look for the tabs behind all your cells and leave a minute quantity of iron soldering on them. Now, you will need to connect all the cells together with the help of tabbing wire, in an alternate manner, that front of one joined to the back of another cell, in order to complete the circuit.

Phase 6: You then have to stick the above mentioned already linked cells on the back of your plywood sheet applying silicone as an adhesive. Besides, you will have to attach cables to each row of the cells and make a hole behind your plywood to ensure that you have the cabling done from the cells to the battery or any other power storage mode.

Phase 7: Fix the flexi-glass to the edges of your plywood sheet and adequately cover the cells, by applying silicone again.

Step 8: Use the silicone also to fill in any spaces or holes, including those through which the wires are running.

Stage 9: Introduce a breather hole at the base of your plywood close to where the wires emerge to prevent dampness collection inside the solar panel.

Phase 10: Next, connect the electrical cables from the panel to the panels junction box- which in turn will connect to your charge controller, and then to your batteries. You may seek guidance from a hardware outlet in your area when you are installing this to ascertain that you are having the correct volts and amps for your cabling ” as they are well conversant in this matter to assist you after surveying your equipment.

Its ready now ” to ensure if it is working fine, just direct your cells to the sun, connect a voltmeter, and you will be pleasantly astonished to see the power your new panel is producing.

With environmental concerns as they are today, renewable energy is enjoying a time of heightened interest. Renewable energy can come from a number of sources such as wind, water, sunlight and heat from geothermal sources. Today, approximately 20% of the energy in the world comes from renewable sources. While most of this comes from burning wood a very large amount also comes from hydroelectricity.

Although it is proving controversial, wind power is becoming rapidly more popular these days. This type of renewable energy comes from wind farms, huge areas of land which are given over to dozens of wind turbines. Because of the relatively small amount of energy produced by wind turbines, they require a great deal of space to produce a worthwhile amount of power. This can severely damage local environments, however, they can also be placed its sea in certain cases.

One of the most common forms of renewable energy is hydroelectricity, which comes from water. One of the main advantages of hydroelectric power, is that it produces a great deal of electricity and is not particularly costly to run. Hydroelectricity can come from dams, water mills and water wheels. Of a number of other things that can help to supply hydroelectric power, waves and tides.

Solar power is another technology which is becoming increasingly popular. This, of course, comes from sunlight and is reflected upon solar panels which then convert the light into electrical power. These days, in a number of countries, solar power is becoming quite popular in people’s homes where people are having their own solar panels installed. This is because, not only do they produce electricity for the household, it is usually the case that any excess electricity generated by your solar panel, can be sold back into the great. Not only does this help to save the planet, but it also helps you to save some money too.

Another form of renewable energy is biofuel, which is derived from recently dead biological material, as opposed to fossil fuels which come from organic matter left by creatures and plant life long dead. The technology that utilises biofuel is rapidly becoming more popular, with a number of flexible fuel cars starting to appear on the market.

Finally, geothermal energy is another form of a highly effective renewable energy. This type of energy comes directly from tapping into the heat of the planet itself. Unfortunately building geothermal energy power stations is not cheap, but they are cheap to run and they produce a lot of electricity.

Currently the market for renewable energy is rapidly expanding with many organizations capitalizing on the growing industry. industry is one of the fastest growing, increasing at an amazing rate of 30% per year. Domestic solar power is also becoming more and more popular.

In these worrying times of environmental destruction coupled with the rapidly growing worldwide population, it does give us some hope when governments and individuals and companies are starting to be really aware of the problem and start producing more environmentally friendly solutions. Hopefully, we can expect to see further technological advancement in the near future and the rapidly increasing use of renewable energy sources. It is the only hope for the future of the planet.

With the cost of energy increasing again, it is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity to find alternative electric energy. The toll on the environment also requires us to explore realistic solutions to preserve dwindling resources.

Many people think of alternative electric energy as to complicated for the everyday man to understand. With the advent of new energy systems, this is no longer true. With the new developments in windmills, hydroelectric power and solar cells, more options are available then ever before.

Today, rooftop solar systems preheat the water before entering a household water heater, reducing the use of natural gas and decreasing homeowners’ gas bills. Reducing the effects of the sun has spurred on new development; during the pursuit to lower energy costs, we examined our home and office glass window systems. New designs and technologies in window film, inert gasses between layers of glass, and neoprene frame seals have helped produced windows with an “R” rating instead of a leak rating.

The most popular alternative electricity system for homes, schools and businesses is solar power. The technology used is the most groundbreaking because it harnesses the sun’s energy with tiny components called photovoltaic cells. These cells convert the energy into electricity, which is able to charge batteries. The batteries store the energy for a converter device called an inverter. An inverter changes the battery energy into our normal 120V / 60 Hz AC energy, which will run small appliances.

For example, I have a friend who has mounted multiple 5′ x 3′ solar panels on the sunny side of his house. From the panels, the electricity is stored in a series of batteries connected to an inverter that converts the electric energy into standard 120V / 60 Hz used in his home. One of his main uses is his computer equipment, i.e. desktop computer, LCD monitors, and printer, all powered by solar panels. When not used for his computer room the electricity is diverted to other home appliances.

Solar energy can be more complex than windmills or pre-heaters for hot water, but with energy prices increasing, more products are coming online every day.

I found some great information on state and federal incentives to help you go green and offset the costs of alternative energy at this website Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE). Just type DSIRE in to the Google search bar.

Michael Edwards

If you have ever wanted to make your garden more environmentally friendly, have you ever thought of buying a solar powered pump fountain? Going one step further, have you ever considered making your own?

So how will a solar powered pump birdbath benefit you?

The pros to getting one are:

a: Fountains circulate the water, keeping the bird bath from going stagnant

b: The fountain is wireless and does not have to be plugged in

c: No inverter is needed since the pump operates on direct current.

d: Only a few inexpensive solar panels are needed to produce around 6 volts

e: Batteries are optional, since you usually only want the fountain to operate in the day when the birds are around.

f: You could learn to make your own solar panels, reducing the cost even further.

g: The birdbath is wireless making it very portable.

What parts and materials are needed to build a solar powered pump birdbath?

The simplest option would be for you to add solar panels to an already working birdbath and fountain.

The more inexpensive, but do-it-yourself method would be to buy a birdbath that is capable of housing a fountain. Then all you need to do is buy the pump, tubing, wiring, solar panels and batteries (optional).

If you want to save money, and build your own system, then you will need:

The Birdbath:

There are a variety of birdbaths to choose from - cascading, copper, terracotta, resin, or ceramic. It does not matter what you get, just as long as it is ready for a fountain to be installed.

The Fountain Attachment:

This attachment can be source from your nearby hardware store or garden center. It is an optional extra that helps make the water spout out of the top, instead of a small trickle.

Small DC Pump:

Next is the pump. Usually a small birdbath only needs a small 6 volt DC fountain pump. But if you have a larger birdbath that pumps more water, and at a greater height, then a larger pump will be needed.

PVC pipe for irrigation:

This tubing generally should be narrow enough to keep the water pressure high, so that the water can be pumped properly. My advice would be to visit the nearby garden center and have a look at what piping is used.

Silicon Sealant:

Silicon sealant helps fill any cracks where water could escape, such as where the tubing enters the top of the birdbath. It can also be used to insulate any bare wires.

The Solar Panels:

This is what makes this birdbath unique to your average water fountain. Depending on what size pump you buy, will need to get enough solar panels for the fountain to work properly. A a typical 6 volt pump, you will require solar panels with a capacity of at least 6 volts. But is better to be on the safe side and get a 12 volt solar panel instead, for times when it is cloudy and for late afternoons.

NB: For the solar panels, there are two options:

1 : Buy a small commercial portable solar power kit from a department store such as Target.

2 : Make it yourself. With the right guide it is rather easy and much cheaper to make your own solar panel in a matter of hours. If this is something you would love to try do, then keep reading…

To get the maximum sunlight, the solar panels need to be fixed in simple frame, and be south-facing (if you are in the northern hemisphere).

How simple is it to build?

With the right tools and parts and a the right attitude you could have a fully functional solar powered pump birdbath in an afternoons work. It really depends on your level of experience, but many of our friends (even housewives) have managed to make their own fountains.

A nice added extra is to hook up some batteries to the system. That way you can store any excess power, and the pump could run all day and night. If you do want the fountain to operate for 24 hours, then you will need the following:

1) The right battery:

Because the pump is only 6 volts, a 12 volt battery is more than enough. It should be a deep cycle battery (car battery) that can store the power for a longer time.

Charge Controller:

This is not that important, but to protect the battery from over-charging and to maximize it lifespan, you should a charge controller that sits between the solar panels and the battery.

The nice thing about about building a solar powered pump birdbath yourself is that it is not only cheaper, but once you know how, you can make as many as you want. It could also make a great gift for an energy conscious friend or family member.

With our current economic melt down and energy prices fluctuating daily, many of us are thinking of installing solar panel power to contribute to our homes’ energy needs, and reduce our power bills.

But how much solar panel watt power do we need to say halve our power bills? And how much will that power cost us to install?

Here is a four step process that you can follow to answer these two vital questions:

1 - Calculate Daily Power Used:

To work out how much power you use on an average daily basis, this is what you have to do: First go back and look at your past 12 months electricity bills. Then work out the average kilowatt hours (kWh) used per month. The reason we do this is because we use different amounts of power throughout the year. The calculation is month 1 + month 2 + month 3 etc… then divide that by 12. If you do not have all the statements, just use last month’s bill.

Then divide your monthly usage by 30 (the average number of days in a month, to get your daily power used.

- Here is an example: Lets say the power used last month was 800 kWh. Your average daily usage would be 800/30 = 26.7 kWh per day.

- So to reduce your electricity bill to half, 26.7/2 = 13.4 kWh of solar power per day is needed.

2 - Calculate Total Solar Panel Watt Needs:

Before you can work this out, you need to find out how many usable hours of sunlight your region gets per day. A simple way to find that out is to have a look at an insolation map - there is one available on our website, where the original article was posted.

Your next step is to take the daily kilowatt hours needed and divide it by the average usable sunlight hours, then multiply that by 1.25 (this is used to take into account the inefficiencies in the solar power system from wiring, charge controllers, batteries, and inverters).

- From the previous example, if you live near California where the average daily usable hours of sunlight is 5.5 hrs, the solar wattage needed is:

13.4 kWh required / 5.5hrs of insolation x 1.25 = 3.045 kW or 3045 Watts daily.

This tells us that our solar panels must be capable of producing at least 3045 Watts of electricity.

3 - Calculate Solar Panel Watt Costs:

This step will help you work out the cost of the solar panels needed to make 3045 Watts of power. At the moment the highest average cost for solar panels in the US is $4.85 per Watt.

- In our example: It will cost us at the most 3045 x 4.85 = $14,768 to install solar panels to halve our power bill. And that’s before wiring, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and electrician costs.

4 - Take Government Rebates and Credits Into Account:

Before you think you are going to have to fork out at least $14,768 for only 3045 Watt of solar panel power, you need to consider the effect of government subsidies and incentives.

2009’s Federal renewable energy tax credits came into effect from the beginning of the year, and coupled with the state-side incentives in places like Connecticut, California, New York and New Jersey, the cost of the solar power system will be much less.

- Continuing on from our example: If we lived in California, our state tax incentives would be about 20 % of the investment, and the federal rebates 40% of the remaining cost. So, our solar panels would only end up costing us:

$14,768 - $14,768 x (20%) - $14,768 x (1 - 20%) x 40% = $7,089.

Just remember that this formula is basic way for you to get an idea of what home solar power will cost you. Some things could not be factored in - such as the state or country you live in, the special offers of local solar companies and the cost of the other parts (inverters, charge controllers, batteries, installation fees).

But, from our example it would cost a Californian about $7089 to invest in solar panels that can reduce his electricity bill by only 50%. We, on the other hand, know how to source cheaper and even free solar cells, and build our own solar panels, which makes the cost MUCH lower. If you are a DIY fanatic then it would save you a lot of money if your bought a solar power guide that show you how build your own solar panels.

If you ever wanted to save electricity and improve the comfort of your home without using any high-tech gadgets, then passive solar design is the answer.

Passive solar design is a clever way of using the sun’s natural heat and light energy in your home. An example is the use of different building designs and materials to effectively cool and heat your home. What’s so appealing about passive solar design is that it requires little upkeep, it is easy to setup, it improves the value of your home, and you can benefit from tax breaks.

How your home was built and what is what built from play a big part in determining its passive solar potential. Ideally it should be built either on a sun-facing slope or on flat land. And if you live in a residential area, any trees surrounding your home should be deciduous to let through sunlight in winter, but shade your home in summer.

When constructing a new home, make sure it is built so that the length of the house faces the sun, allowing the maximum amount of sunlight. Also note how the size, shape and placement of windows will determine the amount of natural heat and light in your home.

So how does the sun heat your home? There are three ways:

1) Direct - the heat from the direct sunshine on an object.

2) Indirect gain - radiated heat from objects heated by the sun.

3) Isolated - the hot air that circulates through your home.

To ensure the most natural heat from the above three sources, a number of large windows should be placed on the sun-facing side of your home, allowing maximum sunlight in.

But there is no point designing your home to let in a lot of natural sunlight and warmth if that energy cannot be stored for later use. Ideally you would want to use materials that absorb sunlight and radiate that heat for a long time. In winter, to get the most out of the natural heat in your home, you could close off cold, unused rooms from the rest of the house, and sit in the sunnier, warmer rooms during the day.

During summer, the right length roof overhangs or eaves can be used to control the amount sunlight and heat in your home. The eaves should be wide enough shade out the intense midday sun, but let the let low-angle sunlight through during dusk and dawn to light up and warm the home. Again, the right trees and shrubs can be planted to regulate the house’s seasonal exposure to the sun.

For current buildings, the simplest passive solar design solution is to replace your windows with modern ones, that use various methods to store up 50% more heat. Although they are 10% to 15% more expensive, they pay for themselves in the long-term from all the power saved to heat your home.

Also known as Low-emissivity (Low-E) windows, double-glazed windows are great at letting through sunlight, but retaining that natural heat inside. Some of them have multiple panes of glass with a gap of argon or krypton gas to store the heat. Also to reduce heat loss, make sure your windows and doors are well-sealed.

What your windows are made from can make a big difference too. While metal framed windows generally conduct heat out the house, wood, vinyl and fiberglass frames insulate the heat better. Always ensure any modern windows bought have labels issued by Energy Star or the National Fenestration Rating Council. These labels provide statistics on how effective and efficient the windows are at retaining heat, which helps you purchase the right windows for your conditions and budget.

So you can see, passive solar design is the effective use of nature and physics to maximize the use of the sun’s natural lighting and heat. Always remember, the point of solar passive design is to reduce your electricity usage and bills. So it is recommended to always weigh up the costs against the potential power savings when installing any passive solar solution at home.