Renewable energy Archives | Going solar options

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

What is the best portable solar phone charger?
What is the best portable solar phone charger? Today there are a lot of solar phone chargers available in the market. However, what makes a good solar phone charger depends on the user who might rate different solar chargers based on affordability, durability, user-friendliness, availability, compatibility, and the solar charger features provided in the solar charger such as wireless charging, multiple charging ports, LED flashlights, etc. In this article, we will capture three aspects of a solar phone charger that can assist anyone to make a quick decision regarding what is the best portable solar phone charger available in the market today.1. Capacity

The capacity needed for your solar phone charger really depends on the usage of your solar battery bank or how often you do not have access to an AC power outlet. For instance, if you are into outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, camping trips, etc. you probably need a bigger solar battery bank capacity. Battery capacity is rated in milliampere-hours (mAh) and the higher the rating the higher the power stored for later use. The typical size or capacity of a solar phone charger range from the smallest available 2500mAh to the largest one available about 50,000mAh. The smallest chargers are typically cheap because they are good for one charge while the bigger ones are good for outdoor activities such as camping or when away from a power outlet for a few days since they can hold power for days.

One good example of a solar charger with a bigger capacity of about 50,000mAh is available on Amazon: the Solar Power Bank Portable Charger 50000mah Battery Pack 2 LED 2 USB Camping Solar Panels Waterproof Car Travel Outdoor External Backup Flashlight for All Cell Phones and Tablets Black & Orange. This solar power bank has a built-in 50000 mAh high-capacity polymer lithium core battery bank equipped with a compact solar panel, which could recharge the battery itself under sunshine.

2. Affordability

The cost of a solar phone charger is cheaper compared to a conventional phone charger because of the zero cost of utilizing clean, natural energy with no external electricity required as well as almost zero maintenance. In addition, it is inexpensive depending on what specifications or features are selected during purchase time. The price of a solar phone charger can range from anywhere between $30 to above $100.

3. What is the best portable solar phone charger? –Specifications or features of a solar phone charger.

Specifications of features of a solar phone will include various aspects the for instance the type of solar phone charger manufactured, capacity, use of wireless charging, use of multiple charging ports, etc. All these features or specifications will determine the price of your solar phone charger. For instance, there are two types of solar phone chargers including direct solar chargers and battery bank solar chargers. As the name suggests, in a direct solar phone charger, solar panels are connected directly to the battery of the phone while in a battery bank solar charger, solar panels are connected to a battery bank for charging and that power is stored for later use for your cellphone.

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

Other interesting specifications or features for a solar phone charger that will be considered to determine what is the best portable solar phone charger included but not limited to:

High charging time
Wireless charging
Multiple charging ports are good to enable you to charge multiple phones at the same time.
LED flashlight is good for outdoor activities such as camping etc
The solar charge should be waterproof, dustproof, shockproof for durability purposes.
Includes a carabiner for portability.
Make sure your solar charger is compatible with your USB devices.

When it comes to charging time is very crucial because it will determine how fast you can recharge your cellphones when they go low on charge. Charging time is dependent on the size and the specifications of the solar charger as well as the nature of the cell phone being charged, for instance, what are the energy requirements of your cellphone.

What is the best solar panel efficiency?

The ability of a solar cell or photovoltaic (PV) material to convert a percentage of the solar energy shining on it into usable electricity is known as solar panel efficiency. One of the technological breakthroughs of photovoltaics or solar cells will depend on how to increase solar panel efficiency with reduced material costs.

So far, this technological breakthrough has been achieved partially only with regards to high solar efficiencies as researchers have managed to reach solar efficiencies of above 40%, but what remains the challenge is the high costs associated with material costs, to make these solar cells commercially available. The other challenge is utilizing materials that are sustainable i.e. environmentally friendly.
In the last decade, the solar industry has experienced a lot of technological breakthroughs such as increased solar efficiency. The first-ever made useful solar panels were invented by Bell Labs with an efficiency of about six (6) percent.

More and more solar panels manufacturers continue to do research and development (R&D) to increase the efficiency of solar panels using different materials ranging from first-generation solar cells (wafer-based cells) made of crystalline silicon to second-generation solar cells (thin-film solar cells), that include amorphous silicon, CdTe and CIGS cells and finally the third generation of solar cells which are the emerging photovoltaics mostly made of organic materials, often organometallic compounds as well as inorganic substance.

What is the best solar panel efficiency?

However, most the solar panel especially sold for residential or commercial places have the efficiency of a solar cell ranging between 15% to 25% solar efficiency. Although with the increase in R&D efforts in the future we expect to see a lot of technological breakthroughs where solar panel efficiency will be ranging between 30% to even above 40%. For instance, researchers have managed to achieve 46% efficiency as noted by EnergySage. Although, the main concern with these high solar efficiencies is the cost.
We can say the general trend of solar panel efficiency for solar panels that are commercially available ranges between 15% to 25%. This range of solar efficiencies represents what is currently the best solar panel efficiency at affordable costs.

Looking into the future, we will see the cost of these high-efficiency solar panels declining as researchers are looking into the material design with respect to environmentally or sustainable materials that are not harmful to the environment while reducing the cost of materials as possible. For instance, researchers are still looking for ways to use alternatives other than lead for the Lead halide perovskite PVs (LHP-PV) which emerged in the last decade as a viable thin-film PV technology due to its high efficiency and its low manufacturing costs. Lead is well-known as a toxic chemical to human health and potential negative impacts on the environment.
In addition, currently, many solar researchers are involved to assist in the development of solar cells with increased efficiencies while looking for ways to reduce the costs. For instance, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) maintains a chart (shown below) of the highest confirmed conversion efficiencies for research cells for a range of photovoltaic technologies, plotted from 1976 to the present.
What is the best solar panel efficiency?
This plot is courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO for solar cell efficiency of solar cells under R&D as confirmed by independent recognized test labs such as NREL, AIST, JRC-ESTI, and Fraunhofer-ISE—and are reported on a standardized basis. Cell efficiency results are provided within families of semiconductors: Multijunction cells, single-junction gallium arsenide cells, Crystalline silicon cells, Thin-film technologies, and Emerging photovoltaics. Interested in going solar? Learn more here about the steps for installing a solar PV system for your home or business.

What is solar water pump?

solar water pump

What is solar water pump? It is a solar powered device used to deliver drinking water or livestock water. A solar PV water pump consists of three parts: solar panels, the controller and the pump.

Having a solar pump in your home is one of the best things, not only due to its efficiency but also because it can help you significantly save on costs. Solar water pumps have been around for years now, and a lot of people use them in their homes or businesses.

Using a water solar water pump can help you save on energy costs, and the fact that it’s environmentally-friendly makes it even more worth it. There are plenty of solar water pump brands on the market to consider. But how do you know the right brand to choose from? That’s a question we plan on answering here today.

Check out some of the popular solar water pump brands that you can easily find online for example on Amazon.com.

1. Lewisia 10W Solar Pump

Lewisia solar pumps are always the most ideal to consider. The Lewisia 10W solar water pump has a higher wattage rating and includes unique spray water patterns. It features interchangeable fountain heads that are suitable to customize what they create. The pump also has a longer cable length and a filter bag included.

The filter helps to prevent dirt from blocking the pump. There’s also an included metal bracket, and there are two ways to install the solar panel. You can assemble it on the ground or use screws to mount on the wall. You can also use this model to water your backyard farming.

The Lewisia 10W solar water pump helps you create a tranquil environment, and you can start hearing the running and calming water sounds in just minutes. The efficiency and affordability of this solar water pump make it ideal to consider. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com for more details.

2. BACOENG DC 12V Ranch & Farm Solar Pump

When it comes to choosing BACOENG solar pumps, the DC 12V ranch & farm solar pump is ideal. It features a 12V power, simple structure, and fewer components, plus it is effortless to maintain. Repairing this water pump is also quite easy since it doesn’t cost much.

The BACOENG DC 12V solar water pump has a stable performance with less power cost, excellent anti-corrosion ability, and a larger flow. This solar water pump is suitable because it’s ideal for all the drainage of aquaculture graziery, drainage, mineral industry, industrial, and shipping.

However, the drawdown of this solar water pump is that it’s not suitable to immerse into water for a long time. There are two types of the BACOENG DC 12V solar water pump, and they include:

The zinc plater BACOENG DC 12V solar pump is not suitable for immersing into the water for a long time.
The stainless steel BACOENG DC 12V solar pump has a filter screen made with aluminum.

Both of the versions are powerful and easy to use, plus they have a large flow. They have a diverse power supply, which makes them suitable to use. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com for more details.

3. ECO-WORTHY 100W Deep Well Solar Pump

The ECO-WORTHY 100W deep well solar water pump is one of the best ECO-WORTHY solar water pumps. It features a large flow and is quite durable. The pump is made of high-strength stainless steel and comes with a full copper motor. The good thing about this solar water pump is that you can charge it anywhere you are. That means it is portable and you can carry it wherever you go.

Therefore, you won’t have to use other energy sources, which helps you reduce consumption and energy conservation. However, the pump must not work without water for a long time, as it may lead the water pump’s lifespan to be shortened. Also, this solar pump provides remote watering without electricity, which means you can use it in your garden, tank filling, and farm irrigation. It is highly recommended to regularly clean the solar pump to keep it in good condition. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com for more details.

4. ASC Solar Water Pump for Fountain Pool and Pond

ASC solar water pumps have excellent features, and affordability is one of their best factors. For less than $100, you can get this ASC solar pump on Amazon, which comes with battery/timer and LED light. It also has 3 operation modes which include:

4-hour timer
Continuously on
Daily 4-hour timers for a variety of needs.

It features a low voltage and a filter that recycles the same water. It is a fully-powered solar pump that works day and night, thanks to the LED and battery. It also comes with a 1-year warranty.

Another thing that makes this solar pump suitable is that it doesn’t produce noise. It has the sound of gentle running water when in use. An internal clock usually records the starting time, the fountain pump, and the light automatically turns on at the right time daily.

5. Solariver Solar Pump

The Solariver solar water pump moves a lot of water without the need to plug into the grid. It is an ideal water pump for water features, large fountains, aquaponics, hydroponics, streams, ponds, and waterfalls. You can also use this solar water pump in greenhouses, animal troughs, and rainwater collection.

It is a durable, efficient, and submersible brushless magnetic pump. It has adjustable flow control, dry-run protection, and a removable pre-filter, which helps prevent debris from clogging the impeller. It’s not toxic to fish, frogs, or other aquatic animals. It is a 20-watt solar water pump.

It has a simple plug and play feature that enables you to start pumping water faster. You won’t have to put up with any complicated hassling or rewiring of extension cords in your yard. Therefore, this Solariver solar water pump provides you with convenience. You can find this solar water pump on Amazon.com

6. AEO 12V-24V 196 GPH Solar Pump

solar fountain water pump

The AEO 12V-24V GPH solar water pump is quite efficient and is specially designed for DIY projects. It is an ideal solar water pump for pond circulation, aquariums, greenhouses, aquaculture, boating, and solar education, among many others. The solar pump also comes with a proprietary 2-pin waterproof connector, and you can also set it without much strain.

This solar pump can generate up to 200 gallons of water per hour under full daylight power. The good news is that it doesn’t require any wiring, and it is fully submersible in fresh or salty water. The pump has been specially designed with sturdy aluminum, which makes it quite durable and has a ground stake.

It has a long 16-foot cord that provides you with excellent flexibility for placing the panel and pipe. The brushless motor is well made to provide 24/7 functionality for over 20,000 hours. You can find this solar water pump on Amazon.com

7. Pumplus 12V 100W Solar Pump

The Pumplus 12V 100W solar pump has an efficient system that offers the best solution for remote watering without the need for electricity. You can use this pump in your garden, farm irrigation, or for filling your tank. It provides a large flow due to its 12V water pump max flow: 3 m³/h, large delivery volume, which helps it to deliver high pressure.

It is a lightweight pump with a compact size that is easy to use and carry wherever you want. We highly recommend using a flexible hose since it makes it easier to operate it. Another thing that makes this solar pump suitable is that it is easy to use. You can quickly hook it up to the solar panel, controller, battery, car, or a boat.

It also features an update 2.0 controller with 4 working modes. The USB charge controller helps to protect the solar pond pump from working continuously. What’s more, it is a durable solar water pump. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com
for more details.

8. KKmoon Solar Pump

KKmoon solar pump is a solar-powered fountain pump suitable for fountains, water displays, and waterfalls. This solar water pump runs automatically, which saves you time and alleviates all the hassle of trying to make it work.

It doesn’t require any battery or electricity because it is fully powered by natural light. It creates a relaxing environment in your garden and has 6 spray heads that you can easily replace. It is suitable for bird bath, small ponds, fish tank, oxygen water circulation, and garden decoration. It also includes a nozzle base and one adapter. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com.

9. SOONHUA 1200mAh Backup Battery Solar Fountain Water Pump

The SOONHUA solar water pump has a 1200mAh backup battery and is fully powered by sunlight energy. It doesn’t require external electricity to run, and if the power goes off, you can use its backup battery that can last up to 6 hours. It also has 6 different spray nozzles for providing different water patterns.

The solar water pump has a light sensor water level detector that automatically stops functioning at night. Also, when there isn’t any water, the pump automatically stops working to protect the motor. The good thing is that it doesn’t require a manual restart to run again.

You can use the SOONHUA 1200mAh backup battery solar pump for various things such as fountains, fish tanks, and garden decoration, among many more. Learn more about this solar fountain water pump on Amazon.com.

10. Amarine Made DC 12 Farm & Ranch Solar Pump

The Amarine Made DC 12V farm & ranch solar water pump is made of motor that includes a rotor, bearing, and base, and its body has an impeller and mechanical seal. This pump is made of stainless steel and features the best electric protective device and a waterproof seal.

It is a convenient solar water pump with a simple structure, less components, and it’s easy to maintain and repair. The pump is made with high-quality materials resistant to corrosion that is durable and compact.

It is a coaxial machine with high mechanical efficiency and stability. Its stable performance makes it ideal to use, and the good thing is that it saves power. It applies the same voltage power, and you can use it in your garden, fish pond, and any other place. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com.

11. FVILIPUS Solar Fountain Pump

solar irrigation

FVILIPUS solar fountain pump has six (6) optional sprays that you can connect separately. It is effortless to install this solar water pump in your garden, swimming pool, pond, or terrace.

When using this solar pump, your work becomes easy because you can quickly adjust the water’s height by changing the nozzle. It can easily float on water, and it also has a cordless design.

Since it doesn’t require electricity, it helps you save on energy costs. The pump can also inflate your water features, cool the surrounding environment, and provide a wonderful water fountain for your birds. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com.

12. XKTTSUEERCRR Solar Pump

The XKTTSUEERCRR solar pump runs automatically and doesn’t require any battery or electricity. It works with full sunlight energy, and it can easily decorate your garden, pool, or aquarium. Its efficiency makes it worth the price, and eco-friendly design enables you to use it efficiently.

It has low carbon consumption, and you can put it in water without straining too much. It is easy to install this solar water pump, easy to use, and start within seconds. Therefore, the solar water pump is specially designed to make your work easier. Learn more about this solar water pump on Amazon.com.

In conclusion, solar pumps come in all shapes and sizes and have different features and applications. When you’re planning on buying any solar water pump, you have to ensure that you check all the features that are included that will be ideal according to your needs.

June 20, 2020 <a href="https://reneenergy.com" title="Visit Reneenergy.com’s website" rel="author external">Reneenergy.com</a>

Solar panel system parts

Global Solar Supply is a company based in the US that sell solar panel system parts for solar installers and contractors in the US and beyond. Global solar supply specializes in the provision of solar panels, solar batteries, solar inverters and other accessories for the construction and maintenance of renewable energy systems throughout the USA and beyond.

Global solar supply purchase solar panel system parts in large quantities to be able to offer its customers with good prices to save them money in their individual purchases. It is a cutting edge company and specializes in the supply of solar panels, systems parts and cables and is considered as one of the largest cross-sector suppliers of solar renewable energy systems in a wide range of industries, including the finance, construction and agricultural sectors. This blog attempts to capture some of the solar parts for a solar P V system that you can search, buy at the website of Global solar supply.

Solar Panels and other solar power system parts

Solar panels are the main components for a solar PV system and the most popular solar panels include the monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Global Solar Supply has a vast variety of sizes and types from small to large, flexible to rigid with wattage ranging from 5 Watts to 360 Watts. The key attributes considered when buying solar panels are the solar panel efficiency, cost, warranty and technology type. Global Solar Supply has solar panels for on-grid and off-grid solar PV systems, including solar kits for pre-wired solar kits as well as RV and small off grid solar kits. Some of the solar panels supplied by Global Solar Supply include small solar panels with a capacity ranging between five (5) watts to 190 watts and large solar panels with a capacity of greater than 200 watts.

Solar inverters and other Solar Power System Parts

When solar power is produced by solar panels is in direct current (DC) and solar inverters convert it into alternating current (AC) that is required by homes and businesses. The most popular solar inverters include string or centralized inverters, micro-inverters and power optimizers. Global Solar Supply offers a wide range of solar inverters and accessories including micro-inverters, hybrid inverters, mobile rated inverters, inverter monitoring and hybrid inverters.

Solar batteries and Solar Panel Supplies Parts

Energy storage or solar batteries is used to store excess solar power for your PV system for off-grid PV systems and on-grid PV systems for communities without net-metering. Net-metering allows stabilization of your PV system with the grid and can also be used as an excess storage option without the need for solar batteries. Global Solar Supply offers a wide range of solar batteries and accessories including but not limited to lithium-ion, flooded lead acid, AGM & GEL, BTS -battery temperature and sensor, cable and lugs, disconnects, battery enclosures, shunts, fuses, circuit breakers, battery chargers and battery isolators.

Solar racking and mounting solutions

Solar panels are usually not secured or attached to the roof directly but are mounted on solar racking and mounting solutions and angled to get the most sunlight exposure. Global solar supply offers solar racking and mounting solutions to help mount or secure solar panels to your structure, including but not limited to rails, end clamps, mid clamps, L brackets, mounts and flashing, Z brackets, TPM (Top of Pole Mounts), SPM (Side of Pole Mounts), grounding and bounding and cable management accessories.

Solar PV monitoring and other solar parts

With today’s solar technology, monitoring of solar electricity is possible using metering and monitoring solar performance accessories. The performance of a solar PV system can be evaluated on a hourly, daily and yearly basis by monitoring how much solar electricity is generated by a PV system. If for instance, the solar performance of the solar panels starts to decline, this can be captured using the solar monitoring software. Monitoring software can also help to detect any defects in the PV system and can recommend repairs for the PV system. Global solar supply offers solar monitoring solutions from companies like Enphase which offer high quality, proven solar monitoring solutions alongside their inverter products.

Solar charge controllers and other solar parts

Solar charge controllers are needed for PV systems with solar panels with a wattage of over five (5) watts to prevent overcharging of solar batteries by limiting the amount and rate of charge to your batteries. Solar charge controllers’ main function is to safely charge a solar battery at the correct charge rates protecting the battery from overcharging and they come in two basic types PWM (Pulse Wave Modulation) and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Technology). Both PWM & MPPT are widely used and have similar lifespans to preserve the life of PV batteries. Although, PWM charge controllers are an older technology and therefore cheaper compared to MPPT. Since, charge controllers can be used for several different applications, Global solar supply offer a wide selection of solar charge controllers as well as solar lighting controllers, AC chargers and other applications.

Interested to go solar? check out this page for more details. Here you will learn about the online solar marketplace, EnergySage has launched a new online tool that enables online shoppers to make informed solar decisions efficiently. It now makes it easy for online shoppers to make online comparisons of solar equipment based on quality rating, aesthetics, performance, and pricing for not only solar panels but also for, solar batteries and solar inverters.solar power system parts

June 17, 2020 <a href="https://reneenergy.com" title="Visit Reneenergy.com’s website" rel="author external">Reneenergy.com</a>

Three simple sustainable options for small businesses

It is always advisable to conduct a comprehensive audit to understand what sustainable options that would have high impact for your triple-bottom-line, however sometimes you just want to get started to enjoy the benefits of implementing sustainable options. To start with, you can consider doing projects that have a high probability of success or focus your efforts on projects that make good business sense i.e. good for the sustainability and profits of the company. This blog attempts to capture a few low hanging fruit sustainable options, especially for small & medium-size businesses that may be interested in implementing low-cost sustainable options to save money or time and material resources such as energy:

Plan an energy efficiency project. Small businesses may not have the finances to conduct a comprehensive energy audit that requires capital intensive modifications but could start with a walk-through audit to visually inspect each of the energy-using systems. Ideally, a walk-through energy-audit will perform a preliminary analysis of energy use or consumption to obtain the energy trends and patterns while benchmarking with other similar facilities. Small businesses can also consider performing a benchmarking audit which is faster because of the use of online tools such as the EPA ENERGY STAR portfolio manager. This online tool which is created by the EPA is a great tool that can be used to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. This tool is free to use and it is recommended for users to benchmark the performance of one building or a whole portfolio of buildings in a secure onlineenvironment. It is easy to use and it can be used to manage the energy use of any building.
Implement solar photovoltaics (PV) project: Most solar projects especially commercial solar projects can be capital intensive, but in most cases, companies don’t have to own the PV system using flexible financing mechanisms such as the power purchase agreement (PPAs) and leasing financing models that allow companies to buy solar power at slightly lower rates compared to utility rates. EnergySage which is an online solar marketplace is a great starting point that online users can be used to estimate their solar potential, savings and get financing for their solar energy projects. At EnergySageyou will also have access to multiple solar quotes from your local solar installers.
Consider using recycled paper for your office:Buying recycled paper may not have a direct impact on your bottom-line, but the indirect benefit this practice has on sustainability can be considered a high impact. Green America has made estimates for the sustainability impact of how recycled paper can have on environment and climate. According to Green America, recycled paper use saves resources and reduces the paper industry’s impact on the planet. For instance, using 100 % recycled copy paper instead of 100% virgin fiber paper saves: 100% of the trees, 31% of the energy, 53% of the water, and produces 39% less solid waste. In case, you consider, recycled paper, Amazon sells several brands of recycled paper. For instance, this example of 100% post-consumer recycled printer and copier paper for everyday use is made in the USA from recycled food and beverage containers and other paper-based printed materials.

These are just a few examples of low hanging fruit sustainable options that can be implemented by small or medium-sized businesses. Learn more about greening your business here for more details. To learn more for instance about energy audits and the concept of sustainable business or sustainability, check out the following books on Amazon.

Handbook of Energy Audits 9th Editionto learn more about energy auditing in buildings and industry. Topics include energy assessment and computer software, etc.
A circular economy handbook to learn more how engaged businesses are now increasingly re-thinking product design, material choices, business models and supply chains, and adopting the principles of the circular economy.

June 12, 2020 <a href="https://reneenergy.com" title="Visit Reneenergy.com’s website" rel="author external">Reneenergy.com</a>

Steps to install renewable energy systems for your facility

Unlike non-renewable forms of energy such as fossil fuels, renewable energy systems utilize unlimited resources that are replenished time after time. Most countries are endowed with renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, small hydro, etc. Depending on what renewable energy resources are available in your location, it is important to determine their technical and economic potential before tapping the resource to produce energy such as heat, or electrical energy. This blog attempts to capture the steps to renewable energy for your home or business facility.

Steps to renewable energy systems

Determine your renewable energy potential

Assess the different renewable energy resources available to you based on location and site-specific parameters. For instance, biogas production is best suited for farms that regularly collect liquid, slurry, or semi-solid manure with little or no bedding.

Any site with water drops and flows; natural waterfalls, small weirs/dams, and industrial flows can be potential sites for small hydropower that can be obtained from the flowing water on your site. To get the renewable energy potential for small hydro, you can start by determining the head (the vertical distance the waterfalls) and the flow rate i.e. the quantity of water falling. To do this you can consult a small hydro specialist in your local area. We have captured below details on how to obtain a list of these renewable energy installers whether biogas or any other renewable energy installer.

When it comes to solar power, determining the potential to install solar panels is much easier than for bioenergy or small hydro because of the easy access to online solar calculators that make it much faster to calculate your site-specific solar potential. EnergySage has a platform where online users can just plug in the address of their home or business in the USA to obtain their solar potential instantly. To learn more about how you can obtain your solar potential despite your location, check this article. Also, you can get in touch with a local solar professional to schedule a solar assessment.

2. Energy efficiency first before installing renewable energy options Most countries have a good solar energy potential and hence solar power can be harnessed in almost every location on earth unlike wind, small-hydro or geothermal which are largely site-specific. However, before considering adopting a renewable energy system, it is advisable to perform an energy assessment of your home or business facility to understand your energy consumption profile. An energy audit will help to identify energy efficiency measures that can be implemented to reduce or eliminate any energy wastage. For instance, lighting system upgrades & controls (including LEDs) and buying or upgrading your home appliances to Energy Star appliances can result in huge significant savings for your home or business. Learn more here about energy efficiency.

3. Identify renewable energy installers, renewable energy rebates, and incentives for your local area USA residents interested in going solar can consider the EnergySage to obtain multiple solar quotes from pre-screened solar installers. SunPower has some of the best solar panels in the world and has expanded operations to Europe, Asia, Asia Pacific, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Also, solar Business Hub provides a directory with a list of solar installers around the world.

Renewable Energy Hub provides a platform for online users in the UK and USA for most renewable energy installers. For instance, Renewable Energy Hub USA enables people, communities, businesses, and institutions across America to connect with trusted, reliable advisers, and installers. Using this platform, you can learn all about current renewable energy technologies, energy-saving products, services, grants, federal and state incentives.

Find out from relevant government authorities about renewable energy incentives or grants that you can benefit from to help reduce the cost of your renewable energy system even more. The initial capital investment required for your renewable energy install can often be perceived as somewhat daunting, there are various ways to reduce it using tax incentives and rebates. However, every renewable energy project is different, find more about how to reduce for instance the cost of your solar panels. Learn more here.

May 26, 2020 <a href="https://reneenergy.com" title="Visit Reneenergy.com’s website" rel="author external">Reneenergy.com</a>

Five factors to consider when interested in renewable energy

Here at reneenergy.com, we strive to provide information to help you with your going solar or other renewable energy options that are available to you. Most resources shared on our blogs are USA based and hence are specific to the US context.

However, we have received questions recently from people who are not from the USA about how to go solar specifically in their respective countries. As a result, this blog attempts to generalize some aspects of knowing how to adopt solar or other renewable energy technologies based on socioeconomic, clean energy technological options as well as policy and regulatory frameworks that affect how you benefit or install renewable energy technologies for your home or business. This particular blog will just capture these factors in general and we will attempt to be specific and capture more details in our future blogs:

Before adopting clean energy resources, you want to assess whether this is the right decision for your household or business. Any renewable energy option adopted is based on your energy needs and its applications and whether it makes economic sense. Environmental or sustainability reasons are other aspects that affect, especially businesses to adopt renewable energy in order to reduce their carbon footprint and help to achieve their sustainability goals. For instance, assessing whether solar is right for your home or business can be determined by how much you can save with going solar or whether you have a reliable source of power. Power outages are one issue that causes people and businesses to look for alternative sources of energy like solar plus battery energy storage. Many power outages occur during peak hours when there is very high energy demand that cannot be met by the existing capacity on the grid.
Many rural communities remain not connected to the grid due to the scattered nature of these rural communities. As a result, many private companies in the energy business may find it unprofitable to invest in building the grid infrastructure. As such, these communities rely on government or donors to build this infrastructure which may take years to construct and it requires a lot of investment because the grid has to be extended at long distances with scattered households. Renewable energy resources come in handy in such a context. Consequently, many governments and donor programs such as the World Bank targets these rural communities with clean energy solutions such as solar photovoltaics (PV). For instance, the World Bank has conducted various studies and implemented many programs for rural electrification using solar photovoltaics for years.
The policy and regulatory framework for renewable energy technologies vary from one country to another. For instance, some countries don’t have the net-metering policy—an arrangement for grid-connected solar photovoltaics that allows the solar host to obtain credit towards their electric bill by installing a bi-directional power meter. There are much other policy and regulatory issues that vary in from the country to country.
Renewable energy technologies have different characteristics that enable them to fit in different settings based on affordability, site-specific parameters, design, and energy requirements in question. For instance, because of the intermittent nature of solar/wind and perhaps not connected to the grid; a battery energy storage system may be needed in some cases.
The socioeconomic factors also determine the various types of renewable energy resources or sustainable technology that can be implemented, for instance, to solve lighting and cooking issues using clean technologies:

How to know whether your property is solar-friendly?

what is the cost of installing solar panels in It is one thing to want to switch to solar, but it is another thing to make sure you are making the right decision before embarking to going solar.

As such, you want to make sure your home property has excellent solar potential and tapped cost-effectively. Going solar is a great idea, but it works best only under certain conditions.

In what conditions is going solar a good option?

If you intend to stay in your current home for at least 15 years

Well, going solar is a great idea when you are a homeowner that wants to live in his or her house for at least 15 years. However, this might change in the future with the decreasing solar panel cost that will enable solar investments to pay themselves quickly, hence reducing the payback period to somewhat around 3 to 5 years.

Currently, based on the current solar panels cost, the average solar payback is around 5 to 10 years, which is dependent on unique characteristics such as your solar power potential, your energy costs, etc. The best way to get an accurate or personalized payback period is to use a solar panel cost calculator or get in touch with a solar installer in your local area.

At 15 years, estimates show that you will get the full benefit of going solar by obtaining free solar power once the system has paid itself after its payback period. Some of the states with the lowest payback periods include California (6 years), Idaho (5 years), South Carolina (5 years).

States with the highest payback periods include Georgia (12 years), Virginia (12 years), Delaware (11 years), etc. The best way to get an accurate or personalized payback period is to use a solar panel cost calculator or get in touch with a solar installer in your local area.

Also, solar panels have a significant benefit in increasing the value of your home in the event you intend to sell your house in the long-term. According to Wholesale Solar, the research finds that, on average, solar panels increase home value by $14,329 – or 3.74% more than their non-PV counterparts. The average system costs $10,000-$18,000 in materials; homeowners can reasonably expect to recoup the cost of the hardware when they choose to sell their home.

2. You have enough room for solar panels and in a good location and free of obstructions.

In addition to staying in your home for some time to get the full benefit of solar power, you should have enough roof space to install solar panels. Your home should also be a geographical location with great solar power potential.

In the US, a tremendous solar power potential characterized by roof facing the south that is free of roof obstructions such as trees or nearby buildings that would prevent your solar panels from receiving a significant amount of sunlight to produce solar electricity. The quickest way to determine whether your rooftop has good solar potential is by using a LIDAR powered solar panel calculator that can tell you how much solar potential is on your roof. Such a solar panel calculator personalized because it asks you for the address and can provide you with your solar potential.

LIDAR means Light Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and is a technology that scans to capture detailed data accurately measuring distances and angles of rooftops, while also mapping trees that need to be removed or trimmed to maximize sun exposure, all in a matter of minutes.

After a scan is complete, 3D models are produced, allowing a solar PV system designed on a virtual replica of a home. The LIDAR technology can also enable the user to generate accurate shade reports, even after removing trees.

So, what is the cost of installing solar panels in your local area?

The cost of installing solar panels varies from state to state, and every installation is unique based on several factors, including where you source your solar panels, your PV system design parameters and potential solar factors. To estimate your solar panel cost, you can get started using this solar panel cost calculator.

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

Category: Renewable energy