What are your going solar options?
The sun doesn’t give up its energy for free. So why not harness this incredible resource to power your home? There are many ways you can go solar, and the best option is going to depend on your needs. Here we will take a look at some of the most popular options: Solar chargers, solar generators, on-grid solar panels, off-grid solar panels, RV solar systems and more!
1. Solar chargers: solar chargers are perfect for charging devices like phones and laptops. These small portable panels have a long life span, as they last up to 20 years or more when cared for properly.
2. Solar generators: if you need electricity on the go, then a generator might be your best bet. This form of off-grid solar can be used to power lights, refrigerators and other household appliances.
3. On-Grid Solar: this is the most powerful option for those who want a larger dwelling. The panels are mounted on your roof and connect directly to the grid at home. This will also require an inverter as well.
4. Off-Grid Solar: if you’re looking for independence from power companies then off-grid solar might be right for you. These systems come with all of the same components needed in on-grid solar, but they store their energy inside batteries rather than connecting to any nearby electrical grids.
5. RV Solar: a lesser-known form of solar power is in RVs, boats, and yachts. These systems are designed to provide the same kind of energy that you would find on an off-grid system even though they’re not portable – this can be ideal for those who want to explore the world without relying on any outside sources.
1. Solar chargers
A solar charger is a device that converts the sun’s light into usable electric current and stores it in batteries. This electricity can then be used to recharge or power any electronics, such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and more! Solar chargers are an excellent option for those who have limited access to a nearby outlet, but still want to use their electronics on-the-go.
They’re also perfect for camping trips because they don’t need sunlight – just open up the case of your laptop so you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted work time with no worries about running out of battery life!
Solar chargers are also green and cost-effective option for those who want to power their devices without using fossil fuels. They use the renewable energy of the sun, which means they won’t run out at any time! Once you own one, there’s no need anymore to worry about draining your phone or laptop battery when it needs charging.
Solar chargers allow people an easy way to charge up their electronics anywhere – even in remote locations with little electricity access like camping spots or rugged hiking trails! This is especially helpful for those on long trips where outlets may be hard to come by.
It can take as much as 12 hours just to get enough sunlight from one day that could recharge these solar chargers.
Solar chargers work by either converting solar energy into electricity or storing the sun’s rays in a battery for later use at night and during cloudy days.
The capacity of this type of charger depends on how much sunlight they can capture – so you’ll need more than one to be able to fully charge up your electronic devices!
In order to get started using solar chargers, there are some steps that must first happen: gather enough money upfront, figure out what kind of device is best suited for each person needs (i.e., those who travel often may want a smaller product), find products with good reviews from other customers, decide when you’ll start charging them up and find a place to store them.
Now let’s look at some pros and cons associated with solar chargers:
– Pros: they can be used anywhere without needing access to electricity or other options like cables; they come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, styles (so finding one that matches your personal style shouldn’t be too hard); it may feel good knowing that by using this type of charger instead of others we’ll help reduce our carbon footprint. Cons include not being able to use them in the rain or when there’s too much shade; they’re typically not as powerful as other chargers and may take a little longer to charge.
– On average, solar chargers are about $50 – $70 for portable options (less expensive than some of their counterparts) but you’ll need to do your research on pricing since these types of products can vary widely in cost depending on what size you want!
Pros: more affordable price point and less electricity needed overall because it relies primarily on sunlight rather than an outlet/cable. Cons include that they usually won’t have quite as long a life span due to the nature of being used outdoors all day every day without any protection from elements
Portable solar chargers are a great option for hiking, vacations, and outdoor events.
If you’re on the hunt for solar chargers, take some time to figure out what your needs are and how much of an investment in these types of products is right for you! You can start by reading this blog post of solar chargers reviews. Also Amazon has a ton of information about solar chargers provided by various solar charger brands. Check Amazon here for more information.
2. Solar generators:
A solar generator is a solar panel that you can buy to provide solar power for your home or vehicle. These generators are usually off-grid, meaning they do not need to be connected to any other source of electricity like the grid does in order to run (though it is possible). A solar generator typically works by storing energy in batteries which then get used as needed. Solar panels on the roof charge up these batteries and feed them back into your household at night when there isn’t enough sunlight coming from the sky.
There are many advantages of using solar generators:
It doesn’t cost anything extra during peak hours because consumers pay more for electricity than what’s generated by their solar panels, which store excess energy without needing a connection to the grid.
The solar generator doesn’t have to be connected to the electricity grid, so it can work in almost any location without worrying about power lines or other connections.
A solar generator is a safe and reliable way of avoiding blackouts when there are large numbers of people who need power because they’re all using too much at once (e.g., during summer months).
A solar generator operates automatically and silently, which means you don’t have to worry about them breaking down or your neighbors complaining that you’re making noise at night while keeping things running smoothly around the clock.
Solar generators also come with backup storage batteries for those times when the sun isn’t shining enough for solar panels to generate electricity; this allows users to have power if the solar generator isn’t connected to an electricity source. You can read reviews of solar generators on this blog post and you can check out Amazon for different models of solar generators that you might want to buy.
3. On-Grid Solar
This is the most common and least expensive solar option, but it’s also the one that will require an electrician to wire your home during installation. You can choose between a grid-connected or off-grid system from companies such as Sunrun or Vivint Solar, which produce energy for you on-site and store excess power on battery backup systems.
Many on-grid solar panels are currently on sale from companies such as Vivint Solar, and you can get them installed with a loan.
The downside is that during the evening hours when demand for power peaks in your area grid solar might not be able to meet it all on its own—meaning higher pricing at night. It’s also worth noting that if there is an outage on the local grid then your system will stop working since it depends on that same grid infrastructure.
A benefit of this type of installation is flexibility: You’ll have access to your stored energy even without sunshine thanks to battery backup systems. This means you could use electricity generated by on-site panels before or after sunset.
If you are interested in on-grid solar you can check out this solar panel cost calculator to estimate your on-grid solar installation cost.
4. Off-Grid Solar
An off-grid solar is a popular option for off-the-grid homes and remote locations. It’s also an attractive solution for mountaintops that are too high to access by electric lines, or in the desert where utility poles cannot be accessed.
Off-grid systems use batteries or other power storage devices (e.g., wind turbines) as their source of electricity when there’s no sun shining on the panels below them.
Off-grid solar may not make sense if you get all your energy from the wall socket but it can still work for homeowners with renewable energy sources like hydroelectricity, wind turbines — and solar generators!
You might need off-grid technology because either you rely solely on renewables, or your grid power is unreliable.
Off-Grid Solar Advantages:
*Reduced carbon footprint, less expensive than on-grid systems and can be installed anywhere there are sunny days year-round!
*It’s virtually maintenance-free; all you need to do is change your panels every 25 years for $400-$500 (depends mostly on how much sun they’ve seen) plus installation costs which range from $800 -$1500 depending upon where in the country you live.
Off-Grid Disadvantages:
*More expensive initial investment in equipment as compared to traditional “on-grid” systems.
*Requires more square footage of panels than on-grid systems, which can be an issue if you have a small roof or live in the shade.
On-Grid Solar Advantages:
*It’s less expensive to install off-grid solar and off-grid solar batteries as compared to traditional “on-grid” systems because there are fewer installation costs (no wire run from the house).
The initial investment is usually cheaper for an off-grid systems too. You do not need any additional equipment like inverters, generators or transfer switches for off-grid power. But it does require that you pay your electric company each month – even though they don’t provide service! So there will be some monthly cost over time considering what you’re paying off-grid.
Off-Grid Solar Advantages:
* off-grid system is cheaper to install
* off-grid solar usually cost less per watt than on-grid systems, making off-grid a more affordable option for most homeowners in the USA. And it’s not just about price but also about reliability and power quality as well. As an off-grid customer, you have access to renewable energy when all else fails which doesn’t happen with traditional “on-grid” systems where everyone shares what they get from the electric company at any given time of day or night – even if there are intermittent outages.”
On-Grid Solar Disadvantages:
*Traditional “on-grid” may be required by some state and county building codes.
*Minimum off-grid solar system size requirements may be higher than what’s needed on an “on-grid” installation.
*Off-grid customers are limited by batteries and inverters to store power when they generate more energy than the home is using at a given time, while it doesn’t matter how much electricity you use or the frequency of which you use it if you have a traditional “on-grid.”
Are you in search of great off-grid solar systems? Check out renogy on Amazon and learn more about their off-grid solar systems.
5. RV solar
What RV Solar Is: RV solar is the process of installing electricity-generating photovoltaic panels on a recreational vehicle.
Pros and Cons of RV Solar: Positive aspects include lower installation costs because fewer panels are needed to generate the same amount of power as would be required for conventional home or commercial rooftop installations. Negative aspects include that it is more difficult to install during winter months when snow and ice can make RV roofs slippery; also, RV solar doesn’t work well in unpredictable shading conditions like trees producing shade around an RV park. Lastly, you may need additional batteries if your RV has some electrical requirements outside its traditional usage (i.e., hot water heater).
RV Solar Advantages: RV solar is a great option for those who live in warmer climates and RV parks that have sun exposure. RV solar also has the simplest installation process as compared to rooftop PV panels because there are no mounting brackets or complicated wiring connections needed.
RV Solar Disadvantages: RV solar does not work well in colder, winter months when snow and ice can make RV roofs slippery; RV solar doesn’t work well with unpredictable shading conditions like trees producing shade around an RV park; lastly, you may need additional batteries if your RV has some electrical requirements outside its traditional usage (i.e., hot water heater).
How Many RVs Use Solar? There are less than 50% of all RVs outfitted with photovoltaic panels, or RV solar.
Highlights:
– RV Solar is one of the go-to options for RV owners who live in warmer climates and RV parks that have sun exposure. The installation process is also simple because there are no mounting brackets or complicated wiring connections needed to make an RV solar system functional.
– One downside to RV solar systems is they do not work well with unpredictable shading conditions like trees producing shade around an RV park; you may need additional batteries if your RV has some electrical requirements outside its traditional usage (i.e., hot water heater).
How Many RVs Use Solar? There are less than 50% of all RVs outfitted with photovoltaic panels, which means RV solar is not the norm, but RV owners who want to power their RV with renewable energy still have options.
If you are interested in RV solar, check out Renogy on Amazon.com.
The abbreviation ‘PV’ stands for photovoltaic. Photovoltaic cells are composed of semiconductor materials. When they make contact with sunlight, the light excites electrons, which leads to the generation of electricity.
A photovoltaic solar panel is made up of integrated components called solar cells, which fall into the categories of first, second, and third-generation solar cells. When people go solar, they will often get these solar panels added to their homes.
1. First-generation solar cells are the traditional and widely commercially used photovoltaic cells. Also known as wafer-based cells which are composed of crystalline silicon, including polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon.
2. Thin-film solar cells fall into the second generation category, and they include amorphous silicon, CdTe, and CIGS cells. Less used in residential solar panels. For the most part, thin-film solar cells are in building utility-scale PV solar power stations. Thin-film solar cells are integrated PV systems or more minor stand-alone solar power systems.
3. Third-generation PV solar cells are not yet commercially available for public use. Most of them are still under R&D. The goal of the research is to decrease PV costs while maximizing the efficiency of solar cells. Researchers and engineers are trying to incorporate organic materials, including organometallic compounds, in addition to inorganic materials. The goal is to reach higher efficiency and lowered PV costs. As a result of this research, solar generators might become more effective in the future.
Applications of Solar PV
The solar PV technology has a multitude of different forms, such as:
1. Solar phone charger / Solar powered battery charger / RV solar panels
- A lot of solar powered battery chargers can be tremendously useful even when they are small. Solar panels that are only capable of producing as little as 4 watts of power are still valuable. They can charge batteries with no load, including smartphone and cell phone batteries.
- If the solar panels can produce 5 to 10 watts, they can charge battery starting systems and various types of industrial equipment. Solar panels that can generate 11 watts and above can power recreational vehicles (RV) using RV solar panels as well as remote battery bank systems.
- A 12 V solar kits can offer power on the go, including solar panels and small solar battery chargers that will create efficient, convenient, affordable, and reusable power. Solar energy can also charge portable heaters, laptops, and smartphones while providing off-grid lighting.
- Solar powered battery chargers are great for camping trips and other forms of travel. They can also help people who are working away from a power outlet. Also useful for people doing landscaping work or gardening. For instance, a solar powered portable charger is an excellent example that can be used for outdoor vacations and adventures. People can also use it for their RVs and boats. As long as the applications don’t require more than 12V at a time, it should be all work. All solar powered battery chargers can be beneficial to a wide range of different individuals.
- Some people who rely on technology to work will find it easier to continue with whatever they’re doing if they have solar battery chargers available to them.
- Find solar phone charger reviews to help you choose the best solar phone charger depending on your specific requirements in the following blog posts:
- Powering your mobile phone using a solar phone charger.
- Different solar phone chargers in the market.
- Five benefits of a solar phone charger
- How much time does it take to charge a solar powered phone charger.
- Solar phone charger 25000mah battery solar power bank portable charger with 36 LEDs and 3 USB output ports external backup battery.
- Are solar powered gadgets worth it?
- 10 things you should know about solar power gadgets
2. Solar Panels
- Solar modules or solar panels are more or less the same types of products. With many people trying to go solar, there are lots of solar panel reviews available today.
- A solar panel or module is a single photovoltaic panel composed of integrated solar cells. The solar cells are connected throughout a solar panel in parallel to increase the current. When engineers try to increase the voltage, the cells are in a series.
- Commercially-available solar modules and panels are made with 32 to 48 individual solar cells in a series, thus giving the solar panel the capability of charging a 12V DC battery.
- Solar panels in grid-connected PV systems are for powering businesses, solar pumps, utility-scale power plant products, solar PV irrigation, and in new mini and micro-grids. People will ask: are solar panels worth it? The answer is a resounding: yes.
- In this blog, you will find solar panels reviews and guides to help you choose the best solar panels depending on your specific requirements.
- You can also find a solar panel calculator to help understand your solar panel costs, solar panel sizing (how many solar panels do I need) as well as your expected savings when you decide to go solar. We have also partnered with the EnergySage online solar marketplace to help you with your decision to go solar. By using the EnergySage solar online market, your decision to go solar is supposed to be easy, faster, convenient, and you can save between $3,000 to $5,000 when you decide to go solar. Learn more about the EnergySage Solar Online Marketplace by clicking here.
3. Solar Generators
- All solar generators more or less work in the manner of conventional portable generators, except they have the technology to harvest energy from the sun to produce large quantities of solar power. Some of them have a significant output. There are solar generators capable of generating 2500 watts. Such solar panels can meet a wide range of different household needs, and it’s hugely helpful for all travelers.
- People who rely on solar panels for all of their power needs will be able to benefit from solar generators in case they have a power outage. Solar generators can help people compensate for some of the daily fluctuations in the availability of sunlight as well since they can store solar energy effectively.
- Individuals who do not have solar panels but who still want to use solar power at different points can split the difference by choosing solar generators. Such solar power will allow them to gain something of a backup power source. During a power outage in which their traditional electricity fails them, they can use the solar power that they generated using their solar generators instead. As long as people keep these generators out in the sun charging, this will allow them to continue to use power during some of the most challenging seasons.
- In this blog, you find solar generator reviews and guides to help you choose the best solar chargers depending on your specific requirements.
4. Solar Lighting
- Different lights will be charged using solar power. Some people will set these lights along their walkways outside. They will charge during the day, and they will be capable of lighting the way at night.
- Some of the new light displays that people will use will integrate solar lighting. Such solar lighting will allow people to use holiday lights without having to worry about all of the oil that they are using in the process.
- The solar lighting will tend to last, and it can produce a great deal of illumination even though the lights are often small.
5. Solar Powered Water Pump
- A solar-powered water pump is just like any other conventional electric pump with the exception that it is powered using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology instead of fossil fuels or electricity to pump water at a certain height or to a certain distance.
- Since it is solar PV powered, depending on the size of the pump, it comes with one or more solar panels (solar photovoltaic modules) as a source of its power and when sunlight falls on these solar panels — to produce a direct current (DC) which is transferred through electrons to the motor to pump out the water. If AC is optimum, the DC from the solar panels can be connected to an inverter to produce alternating current (AC).
- A solar-powered water pump is for various uses, but the primary purpose of a solar water pump is to extract water from ponds, rivers, bore wells or other sources of water for multiple applications, including, but not limited to:
- Irrigation
- Drinking water
- Livestock use
- Responsible leisure
- Industrial use etc
- Solar water pumps have various advantages over conventional electric pumps, including but not limited to:
- Solar water pumps do not incur recurring costs, because they do not incur electricity or diesel costs
- Solar-powered water pumps are also for off-grid areas or places where it is challenging to procure diesel fuel.
- A solar-powered water pump is easy to use technology without so many moving parts, which means it has low maintenance costs.
- It is easy to operate
- It is not affected by power outages and hence can last longer as its motor is not affected by power fluctuations.
- In this blog, you will find solar water pump guides and reviews to help you find the best solar-powered water pump depending on your specific solar pump requirements.