At Solar Us Shop, we care about the safety of our customers in the same sense that we care about preserving the environment. This is why we believe solar-powered home security is one of the best investments you can make for both your property and your planet.
Now before we get into the nitty gritty details about specific solar-powered home security devices, keep in mind that powering your entire home with solar is one of the quickest ways to reduce your property's carbon footprint and increase your energy security.
In addition to the fact that solar is currently the cheapest source of electricity in history, industry advances, service availability, and financial incentives have made it easier to go solar now than ever before.
With the cheap electricity produced by your solar panels, you can keep your security system’s operating costs low while powering your cameras, lights, and sensors using emission-free renewable energy.
For a more ala carte approach to solar-powered security, there are also many all-in-one devices capable of adding elements of safety to your property with photovoltaic (PV) technology in small increments. Whether you are outfitting your front yard, backyard, or large commercial lot, solar security lights are an incredibly easy way to illuminate your property even after the sun goes down.
With lights, cameras, electrical fences, and other security systems running on solar power, you can experience several immediate benefits. In addition to an improved environmental impact, independently operating outdoor solar lights and equipment can help you save money on your energy costs and provide the flexibility to operate wherever the sun shines.
Read more: Our complete guide to solar-powered security lighting.
Although home protection has a lot to do with preventative trespassing, solar can also play a huge role in your energy security – that is, your ongoing access to electricity. For instance, if the power were to go out on your property, a solar battery or portable power generator could provide on-demand electricity in your home while grid energy is unavailable.
By storing solar power at home in a battery reserve, you can prepare for potential outages and even take the energy to go if your system is portable. While all-in-one solar security lights will remain unaffected by grid outages, a battery backup system can also help you power essentials like cell phones, fans, and refrigerators.
Read more: The Best Solar Gadgets for Emergency Preparedness
In summary, there are many ways to solar power your property’s security – with a full set of residential panels, a small home battery, or independently operating devices like solar lights and cameras. No matter which route you decide to take, your decision to secure your property with solar energy may help dissuade intruders, reduce your carbon footprint, and save you money on your property’s day-to-day expenses.
To learn more, consider reading one of these articles next:
]]>As a technology and industry that has been rapidly evolving over the last 20 years, this is unfortunately pretty common – and it can be tough to discern what is true in the growing world of solar power versus what has been exaggerated, or in some cases, made up out of thin air.
So in an effort to clear up misinformation about solar panels for our readers, this article will highlight four of the most prominent misconceptions about solar energy today in order to bust common myths and separate fact from fiction.
With high price tags for large installations, solar energy has a reputation for being too expensive for the everyday consumer.
Considering that an average residential solar energy system typically costs over $10,000 in the United States, it can be easy to see why many people believe that a solar installation may be simply financially out of reach.
In reality, however, it is important to remember that residential solar panels produce electricity for 20 years and more. By offsetting decades worth of utility power at home, solar panels will often pay for themselves in energy costs avoided (and more) for homeowners generating green electricity right on their roofs.
Even if you aren't planning to turn your entire property into a solar-powered homestead, you can still access solar energy products at extremely reasonable prices in the US today.
Thanks to advancements in technology, widespread material availability, and industry advancements, it has never been easier (or cheaper) to set up a small-scale solar energy system on a budget.
Image source: Wikipedia Commons
For homes, cabins, recreational vehicles, and more, there are many affordable solar energy products that can quickly bring renewable power into your life with cheap, clean electricity generated anywhere the sun shines.
Despite the fact that solar energy is one of the most recognizable technologies associated with sustainability and activism against climate change, there are still some people who choose to believe that solar is bad for the environment.
Although it is true that some solar panels are made with small amounts of toxic chemicals which must be safely obtained and handled, the technology has been getting sustainably greener and the majority of today’s solar panels are created with widely available non-toxic materials and recyclable parts.
Image source: Raw Pixel
Compared to coal and other fossil fuels, many environmental risks can be reduced by renewable energy, the greenest of which is that solar panels do not produce carbon emissions while generating new power.
With today’s photovoltaic (PV) panels generating renewable electricity for 20 years and more, even a small solar power setup can offset a significant amount of carbon emissions over its operating lifetime.
Third, homeowners and RV owners alike may worry that solar will damage their roofs, potentially leading to more headaches and costs incurred later on.
Although this is a valid concern because improperly installed equipment can cause less-than-ideal consequences, fortunately, roof damage is a very rare occurrence in the world of professionally installed solar panels.
Image source: NARA & DVIDS Public Domain Archive
The Solar Energy Technologies Office in the US Department of Energy suggests that the best time to go solar is right after you’ve replaced your roof as both new shingles and panels can last for several decades.
Even more so, solar panels are very tough against the elements and can add a layer of protection to your roof - whether that is on your home, cabin, boat, or RV.
Finally, one of the most common practices with solar energy naysayers is doubting the overall potential of solar technology.
Although there are some valid points that favor other energy sources, it is fairly easy to “bet on” solar considering that the sun rises every and the entire world could theoretically be powered by a solar farm roughly the size of Arizona.
When considering the fact that solar panels can only generate new electricity with sunlight, related programs and technologies like net metering and battery storage have allowed this setback to become much less relevant.
Solar batteries have become increasingly available and affordable in the last five years, and can store solar power generated throughout the day for users to access solar electricity overnight or whenever grid power is unavailable.
Image source: NARA & DVIDS Public Domain Archive
In the same vein, there are also some myth-makers who like to paint a picture of solar panels as unreliable or too weak to provide large amounts of electricity at once.
To put it simply this couldn't be further from the truth as solar equipment is very reliable, unsusceptible to large amounts of maintenance, and can generate enough electricity to power homes, businesses, and major portions of the electric grid.
Learn more about solar energy with Solar Us Shop!
If you are interested to learn more about how solar works, feel free to check out our solar panel FAQ or discover more informative articles in our solar blog. ]]>In reality, there are nearly a dozen different factors that dictate how much power a solar panel can produce at any moment in time, over the course of a day, or throughout its entire lifespan.
Below, we will break down solar power piece by piece to explain everything you need to know about solar electricity generation, before sharing the tools you can use to calculate your panels’ potential solar production.
Internal, external, natural, and man-made – let’s take a look at all of the real-world factors that influence how much power a solar panel can produce.
By definition, new solar power generation is completely dependent on the amount of potential solar energy that your panels can receive. In other words, the potential power production of an electricity-generating photovoltaic (PV) system is based on the intensity of the sunlight (commonly known as the irradiance) shining on your solar panels.
While solar panels cannot produce any electricity whatsoever when there is no solar irradiance (such as at night), they can generate the most electricity with direct sunlight. Throughout the course of a day, sunlight intensity or irradiance is usually at its highest during what are known as “peak sun hours.”
Although marginal amounts of electricity can be produced during “off-peak” hours (when the sunlight is less direct), the majority of solar power generation takes place during a 4 to 6 hour window in the middle of the day. The amount of peak sunlight hours on any given day varies throughout the year and is largely dependent on geographic location and local weather conditions.
Within the wide world of solar panel options, there are many different products on the market with varying capabilities. Before you purchase any particular solar panel, be sure to check its wattage rating to best understand the amount of power it will be able to produce.
A solar panel’s wattage rating relates to the amount of power it could potentially output in ideal operating conditions. As electricity is measured in watt-hours (Wh), a 100-watt solar panel would then be able to theoretically produce 100 watt-hours of solar power over the course of a single hour, just as a 300W panel could produce 300 watt-hours in one hour.
In addition to wattage, the efficiency of your solar panels will also play a large role in determining how much power can be generated at any moment in time. While solar efficiencies vary between products, in general, higher efficiency products are going to be higher quality and more expensive upfront.
Over the course of your solar panel's lifetime, its efficiency will slowly depreciate until it is no longer producing significant amounts of electricity. When looking at the top-tier solar panels installed on homes today, most equipment is rated to maintain at least 80% of its solar production efficiency through 20 years of operation or more.
Precisely where you install your solar panels will also dramatically affect the amount of solar power your system can produce. As most solar panels are mounted to a fixed location throughout the duration of their lifetime, picking the optimal placement for your array is very important to maximize your power production.
In the United States, the ideal placement of a solar panel is south-facing at an angle between 30° and 45°. While east and west-facing panels can still generate significant amounts of solar power, southern-facing panels are optimal, as they can capture as much daily sunlight as possible during peak sun hours.
If a solar panel's best friend is the sun, then its worse enemy is the shade. Even if only exposed to a little bit of shade, a partially-shaded solar panel will begin to produce significantly less energy than its total potential output. For this reason, minimizing potential shade on your panels should be one of the leading priorities of your solar installation.
Shade on solar panels can be caused by many things, the most common of which are neighboring trees, chimneys, and build-ups of dust, dirt, and debris. Therefore, in addition to positioning your solar panels so that they can receive full sunlight away from any shade obstructions, cleaning and maintaining your system is the best way to ensure the maximum amount of direct sunlight can be harnessed.
While generating emission-free power, outside temperatures will also affect how efficiently a solar panel can capture sunlight and produce usable electricity. Like a lot of technology (such as computers and phones), solar panels actually prefer cooler conditions over hotter outside temperatures.
Therefore, most solar panels surprisingly work most efficiently in colder climates. With that being said, there are also many solar panels manufactured specifically to maintain operational efficiency in hotter temperatures that are more suitable for warm areas.
Outside of the solar panels themselves, a typical solar energy system consists of several other components that will affect its overall efficiency. With the exception of basic solar chargers and other small closed circuits, solar power is usually processed through a series of wires and an inverter (or multiple microinverters) before it can be used to power your home and electronics.
As a result, in larger solar energy installations, the amount of usable power that your solar panels will be able to produce will be directly affected by the efficiency of your inverter, the gauge of your wiring, and the quality of your other system components.
With all these factors in mind, calculating the amount of electricity a solar panel can produce at any moment in time is a difficult task. Thankfully, there are a number of resources that you can use to gain an approximate estimate of your solar panels’ expected monthly and annual production.
Using the PVWatts Calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, you can calculate your potential solar power production using your address and installation details. When inputting the capacity of your system, keep in mind that 1 kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts, and that panel wattages add up with one another. Therefore, if you design a three 100-watt solar panel system, this would equate to a total capacity of 300 watts or 0.3 kW.
Want to learn more?
Read our Solar FAQs or learn more in the Solar Us Shop blog.
]]>Although we could talk for hours and hours about the importance of sustainability and sustainable development, unfortunately, most people simply don’t care enough about solar energy to dedicate their lives (let alone a conversation) to learning about its capabilities or helping the technology grow.
So, in an effort to make renewable energy more exciting, let’s look at the some of the larger-than-life instances in which solar panels and solar power have made appearances in film, television, and popular culture.
Looking through the last few decades of American cinema, it is shocking when you consider that the majority of references made about solar energy are in films set in the future. For instance, the capabilities of solar power can be seen in 2015’s The Martian (set in 2035) and 2008’s Wall-E (set all the way in 2805)
In other parts of the galaxy, solar panels have also been long known to power the Empire’s TIE fighters in the Star Wars franchise, first appearing in the 1977 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
Unfortunately, this was not the first time that solar energy was “used for evil” in film. Three years prior, in 1974, a villain in The Man with the Golden Gun manages to destroy James Bond’s airplane with a solar-powered weapon.
On the “small screen,” solar energy has slowly made its way into many different television shows over the last few decades. In addition to brief mentions on shows like The Simpsons, Breaking Bad, and Silicon Valley, solar energy has also led to influence central plotlines in programs like American Dad and The Walking Dead.
Turning the dial to one of the most popular reality shows of all time, solar energy has also been a component of several products and businesses featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. Over the 20+ seasons of the show, you may remember window-hanging solar panels from the company Grouphug, or a less successful solar-powered grill.
Heading over to the audio realm, emission-free energy had one of its biggest hits ever in 2021, when New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Lorde released an album and a single entitled Solar Power. Although the artist has been quoted saying that Solar Power isn’t her “big climate change record,” the album does include a song entitled “Fallen Fruit” which encourages people to fall back in love with mother nature.
Alternatively, in the new, but ever-expanding world of podcasts, solar energy is supported by many talk shows like The Solar Maverick, which is pushing the industry forward with interesting guests and thoughtful discussions. If you are looking for pure entertainment value, however, the podcast Probably True Solar Stories is a one-of-a-kind ride for listeners to hear solar-powered stories with ghosts, heists, and much more.
Stay up to date with Solar Us Shop.
Here at Solar Us Shop, we stay up to date on all things renewable energy, following stories on Greentech Media, Solar Power World, and many other great news outlets, in an effort to keep our readers informed and interested in going green every day.
If you enjoyed this article about solar energy in pop culture, then perhaps you would also enjoy incorporating more solar power into your life. With new products always in store, feel free to check out all of the solar and wind-powered gadgets in the Solar Us Shop.
]]>Covering about 70% of the planet’s surface, the ocean has plenty of space and many different resources that allow it to host renewable energy generation in many different capacities.
In this article, we’ll explore under the sea, as well as on top of it, to showcase five of the most popular marine renewable energy technologies in use and development today.
At the Solar Us Shop, we are obligated to talk about solar before anything else, as our absolute favorite renewable resource. Cheap, easy to deploy, emission-free, and long-lasting, there are so many reasons why solar energy is the most affordable and fastest-growing renewable electricity in the United States.
As the sun shines on the sea the same way as it does on the land, off-shore solar panels are slowly becoming a reality around the world. Known as floatovoltaics (short for floating photovoltaics), solar panel islands like the world’s first of its kind off-shore of the Netherlands are built to withstand the extreme conditions of the open sea.
Although the technology is still a long way from being commonplace, many governments and private companies are researching, developing, and testing ways to adopt off-shore solar. Largely, the movement is being pushed forward by the Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck, which has a goal to deploy over 1 GW of floatovoltaics annually from 2030 onwards.
Second, offshore wind energy is one of the most popular marine renewable energy technologies in use today. With massive equipment including fan blades up to 100 yards and larger, offshore wind systems capture the intense weather patterns out at sea and deliver electricity back to shore through underwater cables.
Although you won't be likely to see them when you are relaxing on a beach vacation, offshore wind turbines can be seen all around the world and near countries like the UK, Germany, the United States, and China. With an endless potential to capture daily wind patterns, offshore wind turbines (like floatovoltaics) do not even necessarily need to be in the ocean as such technologies can also be deployed on the Great Lakes and in other large bodies of water.
Next, tidal power and wave energy use the “motion of the ocean” to generate electricity in two different ways. Although the technologies may sound like synonyms, tidal and wave energy are separate in that tidal power is generated below the surface, and wave power equipment is found on the surface.
As tides move in and out throughout the day, tidal power technology captures the movement using a spinning generator that essentially acts as an underwater wind turbine. On the other hand, wave power generators capture energy from the “up and down” movement of ocean surface waves, rather than the “back and forth” tidal undercurrents.
While tidal power Is more predictable than wave energy, both technologies have their selling points and terms of why such facilities are gaining interest at scale. With key players in the US, Australia, Singapore, and around the world, the global market for wave and tidal energy is expected to reach $1.54 billion by the end of the decade.
Finally, it's time to introduce something that you are less likely to have heard of before: marine biomass. Of course, if you're familiar with biomass on the land this concept will be much easier to understand.
By creating power from living things, biomass can be considered the process of using any organic matter used as a fuel. Common examples include wood in a fireplace, corn-based “biofuels,” and electric power generation from crops and agricultural residue. At sea, many different resources contain biomass potential, with seaweed (also known as macroalgae) leading the way for energy research.
While harnessing massive amounts of seaweed could have negative effects on larger ecosystems, algae farms designed specifically for electricity generation may be one of the most surprising marine renewable energy technologies to emerge in the near future.
In summary, there are many different ways in which the ocean can help us decarbonize energy resources and meet the growing demand for electricity all over the world. By utilizing existing renewables, and constantly exploring new ways to revolutionize marine and oceanic power production, we can partner with the deep blue sea to make our planet a bit more green.
If you would like to go green today, you can start small with panels, lights, and other gadgets in Solar Us Shop.
]]>Although this sounds like wishful thinking in 2023, there is also a lot of evidence that a solar and wind-powered future may actually be a reality.
Over the last 10 years, the amount of solar power in the United States has increased by over 600% while wind energy capacity has also tripled in size. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, solar and wind are leading the way together toward a more sustainable future for both individuals and the world at large.
In this article, we’ll look at the power of wind and solar together to illustrate how to combine the technologies and unlock the benefits that a hybrid renewable energy system can offer.
Yes! Just as the energy grid can combine multiple sources of power, you too can use solar and wind together.
With enough space and the right climate conditions, solar and wind collectors can generate renewable electricity at any time of day with intermittent power production in both direct sunlight and windy conditions.
As complementary power sources that do not interfere with each other's operation (nor release any harmful emissions), there are many synergistic advantages of using solar and wind together. In addition to dramatically lowering your carbon footprint, investing in a solar and wind system can significantly lower your long-term energy costs in high-powered scenarios.
More than anything else, however, the primary benefit of using wind and solar together is to balance out your sources of power for more reliable ongoing access to electricity. With multiple ways to generate new power, combining wind and solar enables an increased likelihood of power production throughout each day, season, and year.
When combining solar and wind power into the same energy system, you will need to use a hybrid charge controller to safely process the electricity generated by each source. In order to capture all of the power produced by your panels and turbines, you will also need to add an energy storage battery to access your electricity around the clock.
If you are building your own solar and wind energy system, consider talking to a professional before installing any high-powered equipment. With an expert on your side, you can ensure your system’s functionality and minimize any safety concerns.
For an easy way to source parts that are already designed to work well with one another, consider purchasing a wind or solar power kit. Then, when it’s time to install your equipment, always take a moment to calculate to determine the best possible location for your installation to maximize sun/wind exposure.
Although it's hard to pick favorites, many people wonder whether solar or wind power is the superior technology. While this article is designed to showcase the capabilities of the two technologies simultaneously, if we're strictly talking in terms of power generation, then most people agree that wind is a more efficient energy source for higher electricity yield in the right conditions.
With that being said, there are also several advantages of solar power when wind energy doesn't make as much sense. For example, solar power is the cheapest form of electricity to produce, and panels take up significantly less space than wind turbines, making them more realistic for homeowners and small businesses.
To sum it up in a few words, solar and wind energy together can electrify everything from a small off-grid cabin to an entire county of homes, businesses, and the other necessities of the world we live in today.
While both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages when weighed against one another, wind and solar power combined are among the most vital technologies helping to shape a sustainable, and emission-free future.
If you're ready to join the clean energy movement with your own solar or wind power generation, shop now in the Solar Us Shop! To get started in the right place, feel free to check out our:
]]>When you think of solar energy, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Barring the sun itself, if you’re like most people, you will immediately think of photovoltaic (PV) panels when the idea of solar is introduced.
While there are certainly no incorrect answers here, you may be interested to know that there are many new and interesting ways to generate solar power both now and in the future.
For DIY installations and massive commercial projects alike, renewable energy production is taking many forms in the 2020s, so we’ve developed this guide to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest solar power innovations “beyond the panel.”
While classic PV panels are still viewed as the most durable and efficient solutions for residential and commercial solar power production, “thin-film” technology has been one of the most exciting and widespread new applications for the last few years.
Trading in bulky panels for slim and flexible modules, thin-film solar panels are best suited for recreation vehicles (RVs), DIY installations, and other instances in which heavy equipment would not work well. Today, you can see many thin-film solar panels in use, such as on traffic lights, curved buildings, and even hand-held devices like calculators, lanterns, and other solar gadgets.
Despite their obvious advantages, it is important to remember that thin-film solar cells are less efficient than traditional equipment, and therefore require a larger installation area to produce the same results as higher-power rigid panels.
Besides thin-film panels, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is one of the most exciting solar technologies to watch in the 2020s. Full of products that combine real building materials with solar power production, the BIPV market is alive and well and expected to balloon in value by the end of the decade.
By and large, the most widely known BIPV technology in use and development today is solar roofing, also known as “solar shingles.”
Appearing as ordinary roofing tiles while harnessing the sun’s power to generate electricity, solar shingles are the perfect solution to many common solar objections such as panel aesthetics or possible roof damage. With solar shingles, homeowners can maintain a traditional roofing appearance and “kill two birds with one stone” by upgrading multiple parts of their property at once.
While there are some major drawbacks to solar shingles (such as complicated installations and delayed project timelines), the technology is very promising with large amounts of consumer interest so far, primarily sparked by Tesla's Solar Roof.
Moving down from the rooftop, solar siding might be the next “big thing” in BIPV technology. Working in very much the same way as solar shingles, PV siding can simultaneously insulate a building while generating renewable energy onsite.
Although you may be picturing a home covered in solar panels (like the Philadelphia Eagles football stadium), leading solar siding companies are developing products that look no different than your average building materials.
To match the unique aesthetics of different homes, a company named “Mitrex” offers customizable home facing in a variety of colors and patterns simulating textures like stucco, brick, and more.
Lastly, solar windows and skylights come in many shapes, sizes, and technologies, all of which have an enormous amount of potential to redefine modern green buildings.
While there are yet to be any commercially available solar windows on the open market, sustainable building projects around the world have already begun to incorporate solar windows in a variety of ways.
To give you an idea of the different technologies at play, some “solar windows” refract sunlight to the edges of their frame, which is lined with tiny power-generating solar panels.
In other installations, “photovoltaic glass” is made of transparent solar cells which generate electricity in a way that is practically hidden in plain sight.
Either way, solar windows are an exciting, dually functioning invention that many green builders are interested in exploring.
In summary, the future of solar energy is about much more than plain old solar panels. With thin-film technology and building-integrated photovoltaics, it is now becoming easier to see (and not see) solar energy being produced everywhere you go.
Want to explore ways to power your life with solar energy?
Check out all of our interesting sun-powered products in the Solar Us Shop.]]>Well if you aren’t one of the hundreds of thousands of people who are actively doing so in the United States today, exploring a career in solar is now easier than ever before.
Over the last few decades, solar power has experienced massive growth in the US, in terms of both capacity installed and industry size. With a wide variety of roles that support residential, commercial, and utility-scale development, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimated that more than 255,000 Americans worked in solar in 2021.
With our eyes set on a sustainable future, in this article, we’ll look all around the solar industry to help you decide whether or not a job or career in renewable energy is right for you!
Today, the world of solar offers opportunities for many different kinds of employment, including full-time, part-time, and contracting roles with little or no experience required.
While there are plenty of solar-specific jobs (i.e. PV system installers), the industry is also supported by many connected industries that incorporate the technology, such as sustainable construction, carbon crediting, and consumer products.
At its core, solar energy is all about science and engineering. Every advancement that has made modern solar technology possible is thanks to the scientists and engineers that have developed, tested, and deployed solutions for efficient power generation and distribution.
Outside of the chemists, physicists, and materials scientists working behind the scenes, engineers are assisting solar installations in many different capacities across the country.
From software engineers designing PV systems to electrical and industrial engineers monitoring and managing energy performance, there are plenty of careers in solar suitable for anyone with a passion for mathematics, science, or technology.
Bringing technology out of the laboratory and into the open market, there are also many solar jobs in manufacturing and distribution. From tiny startups to large companies with massive manufacturing facilities, there are many different kinds of businesses that create and deploy PV system parts, including panels, inverters, batteries, wiring, installation materials, and more.
Within the production of solar equipment, there is a wide range of occupations present in the design and assembly process. This includes employment opportunities for welders, glaziers, machine operators, production managers, and other manufacturing professionals interested in bringing their abilities to the solar industry.
Of course, one of the most popular and important realms of the solar industry today is construction. To make safe, renewable energy possible, every solar array must be installed by a team of experts, including laborers and electricians or plumbers for PV or thermal systems, respectively.
On top of the physical installation process, solar energy companies employ logistics and construction managers who may be responsible for everything from sourcing parts to dispatching labor teams.
Solar construction experts can specialize in residential or large-scale systems, with many opportunities for hands-on and managerial roles.
Last but certainly not least, there are many jobs in solar sales and marketing that give people the opportunity to help others join the renewable revolution. Especially present at the residential and small-scale commercial levels, solar energy companies need people who can generate leads and close sales in order to stay in business and grow as an organization.
From door-to-door appointment setting to product-specific digital campaigns, the sales and marketing arm of solar is very important to support its widespread adoption.
Salary.com estimates that the typical compensation range for someone working in solar energy is between $63,199 and $74,591 per year, with a median annual income of $67,843.
The average pay for a solar panel installer is $23.47 per hour, with many opportunities to earn overtime for jobs that involve driving to and from work sites.
While entrepreneurship and business ownership are always an option for motivated individuals, a few of the highest-paying jobs in the solar industry include:
After a decade of massive growth, the major solar power boom of the 21st century was dramatically affected by COVID-19 along with many other industries.
Thanks to the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, however, solar installations are expected to grow 40% more than predicted forecasts for 2027 with the extension of federal tax incentives for PV systems.
Although California’s new NEM 3.0 policy has been viewed as a step backward in the country’s largest PV market, CA's new solar construction laws and electrification efforts guarantee that the state will sustain continued growth in renewables in one form or another.
For now, of course, solar seems as if it is not going anywhere, and there are many people around the world who still envision a solar-powered future.
Whether or not you decide a career in solar energy is right for you, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in its development, by adopting solar at home or supporting efforts that make it possible for underserved communities.
In the meantime, to put the power of the sun in your hands today, feel free to check out all of the solar-powered products currently for sale in the Solar Us Shop!
]]>Whether or not you’ve been paying attention to the news in the last decade, you may have heard the term “microgrid,” and not thought twice about what it may mean.
Although microgrids have been around for a long time, public interest in the technology is spiking, largely due to the lowering costs and increased availability of renewable energy generation around the world.
In this high-level guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about microgrids to demonstrate their value and showcase their role in a more sustainable global future.
Compared to the large, interconnected electric utility grids in the United States, “micro” grids are essentially a smaller version of the way that most people receive their power.
To put it simply, MicrogridKnowledge.com defines a microgrid as a “self-sufficient energy system that serves a discrete geographic footprint, such as a college campus, hospital complex, business center, or neighborhood.”
Most modern microgrids are connected to the larger utility power grid, with the ability to disconnect and operate independently whenever necessary. Alternatively, there are also “standalone” and “isolated” microgrids that operate completely on their own, as an “electrical island” away from utility infrastructure.
In the 2020s, “mobile microgrids,” utilize energy generation and storage on wheels to deliver power anywhere in the world. While some mobile microgrids are massive, military-grade, and intended for many users, even solar power generators can be considered “micro-microgrids” by creating, storing, and deploying relatively small amounts of renewable electricity in one compact circuit.
Efficiently operating microgrids create an immense amount of value for their users, with the primary benefit as energy security. As a self-sustaining system for electricity generation and use, microgrids allow continued access to power even when there is a local blackout.
In an era where wildfires, winter storms, and other major weather events are causing many corners of the world to shut down for hours and even days at a time, energy security is invaluable. Microgrids allow critical operations to keep power, including shelter, communications, medical services, and even electric transportation for local communities.
As an added bonus, microgrids make it very easy to incorporate renewable and emission-free power generation into local energy production. By utilizing resources like solar and wind energy, microgrids can drive down the production of emissions that increase the severity of climate-related disasters while also lowering or stabilizing local electricity costs.
Microgrids work by continuously creating electricity and distributing it to the end users, storing it in a battery when necessary. Although the technology has advanced to become even smarter in recent years, today’s microgrids typically consist of three main components:
Historically, microgrids primarily utilized fossil-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) reciprocating engine generators. Today, most modern microgrids are powered by renewable energies like wind and solar power to provide the system’s independence. Alongside clean energy production, however, most existing microgrids also support gas-powered generators to diversify the electricity sources.
In large, integrated microgrids, users will typically be able to operate “as normal” in the buildings connected to the generation and storage. To maximize performance, most smart systems come with advanced monitoring and management settings for efficient energy use onsite.
As there is an immense amount of research going into microgrid technology at all angles, the capabilities of self-sustained energy systems are essentially endless. With federal plans in place to improve the United States' existing infrastructure, we predict that microgrids will only become more common and advanced in decades to come.
While some purists will challenge us on this definition, a home with solar panels and battery storage is essentially a small-footprint microgrid. In conjunction with an electric vehicle, home microgrids can even be used to power your transportation during a blackout or visa-versa with new “vehicle to home” charging capabilities.
Whenever there is a flood, fire, or large natural disaster, mobile microgrids can be deployed to re-grant locals with electricity access to power cell phones and other important devices. Even more so, places like Puerto Rico are building the microgrids necessary to prepare emergency shelters across the island for future hurricanes.
By disconnecting from the main utility grid and self-consuming electricity, companies, businesses, and organizations both large and small have the power to reduce their short and long-term energy costs with a microgrid installation. Although considerable investment is required, the results can be incredible, such as how the Pittsburgh International Airport achieved $1 million in energy savings within its first year of operation.
Essentially, microgrids have the unique ability to continuously supply electricity anywhere in the world. From the smallest house on the block to the massive medical facility downtown, microgrids are becoming more and more common every year to support energy security both in preparation for and recovery from local electrical blackouts.
Creating your own emergency microgrid is easy when you install solar panels and batteries on your property. By continuously generating and storing your own electricity, a renewable energy microgrid grid can help replace or support your backup home generator with less noise and lower costs to fuel the next time the power goes out.
Have a question? Contact Solar Us Shop to learn more.
]]>“How many solar panels do I need?”
There are a lot of different answers to this inquiry, all of which depend on a few key variables. These include
So while some products, such as our popular outdoor solar barn lights include the exact number of panels necessary to power themselves, most things in life require a bit more calculation.
In this article, we’ll share a few quick tips and tricks to help you determine how many solar panels you may need for your unique scenario before exploring averages for installations of every variety.
To determine the number of solar panels you need in any given situation, you must first know your power demand. By only producing roughly the same amount of solar energy that you (or your appliances) will be consuming, you can save money and time on costs otherwise spent unnecessarily bulking up your renewable energy system.
To calculate your energy consumption, multiply the wattages of your electrical devices by their approximate daily runtime. For homes, your total property energy use is easy to see on your monthly energy bills.
Once you find your daily energy demand, you’ll need to match that with the approximate amount of power to be produced by your panels. Solar panel capacities are measured in watts, with low-priced options usually near 100W and premium products at 350W and higher.
Here, there are a few good things to know while determining the size of your system, such as
To give you an estimate on the number of solar panels required for your particular energy needs, here are four of the most commonly asked questions under the umbrella of “how many solar panels will I need?”
To power an average American home, a set of solar panels must be able to produce roughly 10,632 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year, or about 30 kWh daily. While the number of peak sunlight hours varies throughout the calendar year, using an average of 4 per day, this means that an average solar energy system should be approximately 7.5 kW (30kWh / 4 hours) in total capacity.
Using 300 or 350-watt solar panels, this translates to an average of 21 to 25 solar panels to power a home in the United States. Obviously, the exact number of panels you will need depends on your location, home energy demand, the efficiency of the panels, and several other lesser variables.
As solar panels can generate power anywhere the sun shines, they are one of the most popular forms of electricity for use in recreational vehicles (RVs), campers, vans, school buses, and other forms of homes-on-the-go.
Like in residential installations, the number of solar panels necessary to run an RV is highly dependent on individual energy needs, i.e. the quantity and size of all of the electrical appliances on board. While some barebones campers have an electric stove, a fan, and a few lights, more luxurious set-ups may include televisions, microwaves, air conditioning, and other larger appliances with higher energy demands.
It is also important to remember that RVs are “off of the grid,” so any set of panels must be connected to a battery bank or solar generator in order to power electric devices. In addition to the correct number of panels, RV owners must pay close attention to the size of their electricity storage batteries so that there will be enough energy stored to continuously run devices overnight.
On average, most RV owners pack about 400 to 700 watts of solar power on their roofs to keep their batteries charged and appliances running. And while residential panels run upwards of 300W per piece, boondockers, weekend warriors, and full-time RVers alike tend to find more cost-effective solutions with 100 or 200-watt panels. Therefore, anywhere between two to ten solar panels is sure to do the trick to power your RV’s electrical components.
With electric vehicle adoption on the rise in the United States and around the world, more and more people are trying to power their vehicles with solar energy. By combining an efficient EV charging station with a full solar power array, it is now possible to fuel your car with the sun’s energy for a low-cost and emission-free ride.
While assorted Tesla models (as well as other EV brands) have various battery sizes, the number of panels necessary to fill up your tank depends on the specific car, as well as the property’s solar potential. On average, experts agree that fueling a Tesla requires about eight to ten solar panels to completely offset the electricity demand from daily charging.
Powering the entire world with solar panels seems a bit far out, however, it is certainly not impossible. While daylight hours and seasonality propose difficulties in the most northern and southern parts of the globe (where wind energy or hydropower may be a more effective alternative), the earth certainly receives enough daily sunlight to generate the world’s supply of electricity using PV solar panels.
As global energy demand continues to rise, it is very difficult to say exactly how many solar panels would be required to supply the entire earth with renewable electricity. It becomes even more difficult to calculate when you consider that the panels would need to be as close to their end-users as possible to reduce power loss and that we couldn’t simply set up a massive array in a strong solar area like Arizona or New Mexico.
Estimates around the web vary greatly, with sources guessing that it would take anywhere from 23 billion to 51 billion solar panels to power the entire world. Sounds crazy right? Well, in conjunction with wind, hydro, and other renewable energies, it is important to remember that solar does have the potential to meet the world’s energy demand without causing large amounts of unnecessary harm to the environment.
In summary, solar panels can be used to meet virtually any electric power demand, and installations are typically only constrained by available space, budget, and sunlight hours. While it could take a few dozen solar panels to power your home, a handful may only be required to run an RV’s appliances or even continuously fuel an electric vehicle.
Always on the lookout for new ways to bring solar power into people’s lives, Solar Us Shop is one of the best places to find environmentally friendly products online. Please let us know if you have any questions at all, or visit our solar power FAQ to learn more.
]]>For example, residential solar panels must be installed by homeowners, so renters are often out of luck.
Likewise, those that live in an apartment building or on a heavily shaded property lined with large trees may not have enough usable roof space for a cost-effective solar energy system.
That’s where community solar comes in.
At Solar Us Shop, we love all forms of solar, from handheld devices to massive utility-scale arrays. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how community solar works in order to help more people connect with renewable energy all over the United States.
The Solar Energy Industries of America (SEIA) defines community solar as “local solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers who receive credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced.”
Essentially, community solar projects allow electricity consumers to adopt renewable energy without having to purchase a system or install solar panels on their own property. With this, access to solar is expanded to renters, low-income customers, and anyone else that is able to participate in a local project.
Regionally, community solar projects may be referred to as “community solar gardens,” “community solar farms,” “shared solar installations,” as well as many other nicknames.
Community solar farms work by generating massive amounts of renewable energy in one location and crediting the production to off-site customers, thereby reducing their monthly utility electricity bills. A typical community solar farm will operate with one of two business models: ownership or power purchase agreements (PPA).
Under a solar ownership agreement, participants will “purchase” a physical piece of the solar farm – usually a handful of solar panels for residential customers. With this, the customer then “owns” any electricity that the panels produce throughout their lifetime and all of the solar energy that is generated will be credited to their electric bills.
In a power purchase agreement (PPA), customers buy the electricity that a solar farm produces, rather than the actual panels. Within PPAs, participants can purchase electricity at reduced rates compared to utility prices, while locked into contracts of various lengths. PPAs can typically be signed with little to no money upfront.
…Okay, but what’s the catch with community solar?
While we can’t speak for every solar farm in the country, by and large, there is no “catch” with community solar. As the cheapest form of new electricity, solar energy is helping millions of people around the world reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint. With community solar, consumers can access solar energy without having to make a large investment or adjust the way they use electricity at home.
Community solar projects are available in nearly every state, with the exception of Wyoming, the Dakotas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and a handful of other areas. Although somewhat scarce in many parts of the country, there is a high concentration of community solar projects currently operating in Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington, and the Carolinas.
Find a Community Solar Project Near You!
To find a community solar project near you, we recommend checking the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s updated list of community solar projects across the United States.
If there is not a community solar project near you, there might be one soon! In fact, the SEIA predicts that more than 4.3 gigawatts of community solar energy will be installed in the United States over the next five years. To put it in perspective, that’s enough energy to power over 3 million homes!
If you’d like to start a community solar project of your own, that is a very commendable effort. Whether you represent a non-profit organization or are literally “in it for the money,” community solar projects are critical for easy access to renewable energy in the United States and all over the world.
Community solar farms make money by signing up subscribers and selling the panels or electricity produced onsite. While utility-scale solar gardens may only have one buyer (hint, hint – it’s the utility company), solar farm owners can sell their services to homeowners, businesses, government agencies, and anyone else who uses electricity.
Whether using a “solar ownership” or purchase power agreement (PPA) model, solar farms can begin attracting customers at any point from pre-installation to years into the project’s lifespan. As a relatively low-maintenance operation, solar farms typically begin to make money once all of their initial costs have been recouped by customer cash flows.
To get started on a community solar project, you’ll need a lot more than just positive thinking. Community solar projects are massive investments that produce significant amounts of electricity for decades, with an average starting cost of around $1 million.
This capital is designed to cover expenses for the property, land development, solar energy system parts, labor, and more. Thankfully, community solar projects qualify developers for many green energy tax incentives and rebates to reduce the upfront costs.
Beyond what is always available at the federal and local levels, developers should be on the lookout for unique incentives like the Solar in Your Community Challenge, a 2019 $5 million competition designed to develop new solar capacity across the United States.
Solar farms are typically a few acres in size and must be located close enough to customers so that the electricity can reach its end-users without significant energy loss. Popping up in creative locations around the world, solar gardens can be installed on farmland, above parking lots, and even on bodies of water with a “floatovoltaic” system.
Before you begin looking for investors, we strongly recommend that you contact your local utility and government to learn more about whether or not a community solar farm can be installed in your area. Without having to spearhead the project yourself, it may also be easier for you to get involved with a community solar project that is already in development.
At the end of the day, we believe that all solar energy is good solar energy. While a personal rooftop solar panel installation may be able to save your home or business the most money on long-term electrical costs, shared community solar farms are absolutely essential for public access to renewable energy, and participation within one can help reduce your electricity costs instantly.
If you have any questions about how solar energy works, feel free to consult our Solar Energy FAQ or contact us today.
]]>Believe it or not, that glowing ball of fire in the sky that we call “the sun” can actually be used to cool down your home with the right technology.
It’s true: solar-powered air conditioning is a real thing that is happening right now, all over the world – in both small and large-scale applications.
And while heat capture has long been a part of solar-assisted thermal cooling systems, modern photovoltaic (PV) electric solar panel systems can now be used to power every appliance in your home, from the toaster to your air conditioning system.
Costing United States residents approximately $29 billion annually, running the air conditioning at home is typically done at the expense of your energy bills. Although everyone loves to cool off on a hot day, some people find it hard to relax knowing that prolonged air conditioner use will increase a property’s electric utility bill at the end of the month.
To reduce grid energy consumption, solar panels can be installed on a property to produce and use renewable power with no extra costs or carbon emissions emitted when the new electricity is generated. With photovoltaic (PV) solar technology more advanced, efficient, and widely available than ever, property owners can install cost-effective systems that are large enough to power not only the air conditioner but an entire year’s worth of home electricity.
The best part about solar air conditioning is that each summer, both solar energy potential and air conditioning use are typically at their highest. Knowing this, homes producing tons of solar energy with the extended summer sunlight hours are less likely to see large utility bills from air conditioning use.
Yes, most solar companies will estimate the size of your PV system to include the power consumed by a whole-home air conditioning system. In fact, residential solar energy systems can power any electrical cooling system in your home including swamp coolers and portable air conditioning units.
The amount of solar panels you need to run an air conditioner (AC) depends on its wattage and runtime. Let’s say that running the AC at home adds about 600 kWh of electricity to your bills each month during the height of summer. In this scenario, you would need enough solar capacity for about 20 kWh or 20,000 watt-hours per day (600 kWh per month / 30 days).
Across roughly 5 hours of peak sunlight per day, 20,000 watt-hours of power could be generated by a 4,000 watt or 4 kilowatt solar energy system (20,000 watt-hours / 5 hours of direct sunlight). To reach this capacity, you could install 16 high-efficiency 250-watt solar panels (4,000 watts / 250 watts).
Besides installing solar panels, there are many other ways that you can save energy at home to minimize the amount of power necessary to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. Of course, to stay cool anywhere, we are now also fortunate enough to live in an era in which portable solar air conditioning has become a reality.
You read that correctly - portable solar air conditioners have officially entered the marketplace, although most stores and e-retailers have had a tough time keeping them in stock. Last summer, we introduced the Zero Breeze MARK 2 Portable Air Conditioner and our customers have reported back with nothing but positive feedback about the device.
Ideal for camping trips, afternoons out on the boat, and any other small indoor or outdoor use, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a portable AC unit that delivers tons of cooling power wherever you take it. Complete with a built-in battery and multiple ways to charge it, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 can be run on solar power as well as traditional electricity.
With solar panels sold separately, it is very easy to plug and play with the Zero Breeze Mark 2. For more information, please see our complete product guide which explores the pros, cons, uses, and value of this unique device. If you need even more power to stay cool all night long, don’t forget to pick up an extra Zero Breeze battery for extended product use time.
So whether you are sitting at home or out in the elements, solar air conditioning can be used to stay comfortable this summer. By utilizing a cost and emission-free source of electricity, solar power and air conditioning together can create a perfect solution for anyone looking to minimize their monthly expenses or carbon guilt.
Beyond air conditioning, you also may be surprised to learn about many of the other great solar-powered products that can help you save money and the planet this summer with a greener lifestyle.
]]>Whether you’re watching television during a commercial break or are out on the road somewhere this summer, the presence of electric vehicles in the United States is at an all-time high and certainly more visible than ever.
Of course at Solar Us Shop, we couldn’t be more excited as, when in use, electric vehicles produce less overall emissions than traditional combustion chamber engines. With a greener future ahead, it is actually a bit shocking when you realize that cars are now being powered by the sun, via photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, all around the world.
Last summer we answered the question, “Can solar panels charge EVs?” to showcase exactly how small PV systems can power personal vehicles.
This summer, as PV capacity and electric vehicle adoption volume continue to accelerate both nationwide and globally despite supply chain shortages, let’s take a closer look at the clean energy transportation revolution and show how solar plays an important, supporting role.
Other than the fact that gas prices just hit an all-time high, the switch to electric vehicles has been driven by both financially and eco-conscious consumers since the turn of the millennium. Accelerated by tax incentives, government grants, and claims that they are just flat-out fun to drive, EVs are here to stay for both personal and commercial transportation.
Today there are hundreds of alternative fuel vehicle makes and models on the market today, divided between hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and purely electric cars and trucks. As both the electric motor and energy storage technology continues to advance, battery-based electric vehicles (BEVs) are now the fastest growing and most energy-efficient EVs available today.
Supporting infrastructure is one of the main reasons that electric vehicle adoption has been limited so far, but there are many areas throughout the country in which public charging stations, as well as EV-friendly policies and incentives, have helped the growth of clean energy transportation.
While the majority of EV owners charge their vehicles at home or work, those that are living outside of a network of charging stations have very few additional options to refuel their batteries when there are no public power ports available. Thankfully, modern EVs continue to improve their overall driving range and many private and public companies are racing to build a national network of EV charging stations.
To paint a broader picture, here is a graph that shows total electric vehicle registrations by state:
Image source: https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10962
In contrast, here is a map that displays the amount of solar energy generation per capita across the United States of America.
Image source: https://ilsr.org/the-states-of-distributed-solar/
As you can see, in both datasets, California leads the way in electric vehicle registrations and distributed solar generation. This is no surprise, as California is the first state in the country to pass a bill that guarantees solar energy installations on new construction projects.
Plus, California hopes to “have five million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road by 2030 and 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2025,” to meet air quality and climate change targets.
In contrast, Washington is within the top 5 EV registration states, without a significant amount of solar generation per capita. Due to geolocation considerations, states like Washington may be able to better support vehicular electrification with other renewable resources (besides solar) such as hydropower and wind energy.
Right in the middle, there are many states in which EV adoption and solar energy production are rising together such as Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts. Likewise, states such as Texas (now the HQ for Tesla, Inc.) and Florida (whose solar net metering laws were almost dialed back) are quickly stepping up both their solar and EV volumes.
Across the United States, both home and business owners have the unique opportunity to combine personal solar energy production with electric vehicle charging. Distributed solar energy system ownership allows consumers to generate their own power and use it however they choose, which can lead to convenient and cheap BEV fueling.
With a battery-based solar-energy system, EV owners have the most control over their own energy production and usage and can power their vehicles in specific instances to mitigate higher-tiered energy rates or time-of-use billing structures enforced by local utilities.
So whether for regularly powering your vehicle or storing electricity in a battery for emergency charging, solar energy systems offer renewable, emission-free electricity generation anywhere the sun shines. Therefore, if you’ve decided to purchase an EV for financial or environmental reasons, a personal green energy power plant is the perfect complement to achieve your goals with zero-emission, zero-cost daily electricity production.
While not every area in the country is ideal for efficient solar power production, electric vehicle owners have a great opportunity to combine renewable energy and EV charging. By doing so, EV owners can minimize their energy costs and environmental impact with their own solar-powered vehicles.
Today, many of the countries' top solar companies are including EV charging systems as a seamless add-on to a residential PV installation. Even more so, the world's top engineers are now taking “solar-powered cars” quite literally, with many new and exciting vehicles that utilize solar roofs for continuous energy generation and use.
All in all, there has never been a more exciting time to watch the future of transportation unfold.
For more information, feel free to check out all of our electric vehicle articles or jump to our Solar Energy Frequently Asked Questions.
]]>We cannot deny that the rate of electricity is increasing day by day. Everyone cannot survive with the increase in the inflation rate. We need to study some ways to control the cost of electricity. Electricity is an essential part of life, and every electronic appliance is wasted without the connection of electricity.
The rate of electricity is at its peak. If you want to save your money and use electricity, go for solar energy. There are different types of solar lights depending on your need. Other than this, you can limit the timings and control electricity usage. Try to hand the laundry and dry the clothes in the direct sunlight instead of using the washing dryer.
Below are some ways to save money on electric bills in 2022. Such as:
A solar system is an essential part of the home. The cost and reliability of the solar system are all worth buying. All the solar industries are overgrowing. This technology is spreading all over the world very rapidly. Everyone needs to know the advantages of the solar system. When people learn about the solar system, they will buy the solar system.
The whole purpose of the solar system is to store the electricity, money, and use that electricity in the hour of need. In some cases, people use solar energy for the whole day. That saves a significant amount of money for the owner. Before that, it is essential to get awareness about the solar system.
Most of us feel comfortable using the dryer for clothes drying purposes. If a person changes this habit, he will save a lot of money which they don’t even know. Clothes can even get dry in less time the direct sunlight. In a machine, your effort is less, but the time and money are spent considerably. But, in the natural heating way, your effort is more, but the money is eventually less spent.
Many intellectual people use cloth racks which they can place inside and outside the home. They know how to save money by making little effort. Use the natural light and take benefits from it. This natural process will not take your money and more effort.
If you haven’t already purchased the LED bulbs, go and buy them as soon as possible. Every LED bulb is 60 times more beneficial than the other light bulbs. LED bulbs take less voltage. Assuming the same light in a smaller amount of money can save money.
Try to buy and install all the LED bulbs all over your home. It will brighten up your home in the most attractive way and it won’t cost you much. There are many designs available for LED lights. You can get the LED bulb of your own choice at the nearest store or electrical shop.
Try to invest your time and energy in planting trees and plants. You will be less hot when you have more greenery in your house. Eventually, the need for air conditioners will become less. This is organic and the easiest way to feel fresh and cool in the times of summer. LED bulbs do not need to warm up to meet the level of
The more you plant greenery, the more you will feel fresh and hydrated. It will save you from spending more money as well. Plants are good for the eyes as well. The greenery they unleash is beneficial for your health and they make you feel more comfortable.
]]>Aah… the summer.
Longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar full of vacations, BBQs, and outdoor get-togethers.
As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it's time to begin thinking about what gear you’ll need to make sure that the fun never stops, and at Solar Us Shop, we’d like to encourage our readers to look upward and power this season with solar energy.
Although the White House called 2021 the “Summer of Solar”, there is no reason to stop while we're ahead. From utility-scale projects to handheld renewable energy devices, solar is everywhere in 2022, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride.
With 12 hours of sunlight on the summer solstice, the “longest” days of the year are ahead of us, which means more solar energy potential and opportunities for outdoor fun. So to help customers everywhere enjoy long walks, hosting parties, grilling out, camping under the stars, and more, here are a handful of great solar-powered devices for everyday use.
Since we first set eyes on Ariel - the Robotic Solar Pool Skimmer, this revolutionary product has been one of our favorite solar-powered devices on the market. Essentially a “Roomba” for your swimming pool, the Ariel is designed to float atop a body of water and slowly clean it, completely autonomously.
As simple as placing it in the water and letting it run, the Ariel comes equipped with an onboard solar panel to harness the sun and put it to good use. And best of all, Ariel can operate for up to 10-hours on a fully charged battery so that it can continuously clean a pool both on cloudy days and overnight.
Essentially, for pool owners looking for an easy, convenient, and sustainable way to keep their water clean, Ariel - the Robotic Solar Pool Skimmer is a surefire way to enjoy a solar-powered summer.
No matter where this summer takes you, chances are that you’ll need a little bit of extra battery power in your smartphone. Whether you are taking lots of photographs or playing music until the early hours of the morning, additional battery life is a hot commodity on camping trips, out on the open water, and throughout road trips of all shapes and sizes.
In terms of ongoing access to power, our portable solar charger power bank is a great way to pack lots of extra battery life into a small, easy-to-carry package. Complete with two USB ports, a metal clip, and a built-in flashlight, this solar-powered product can be charged both by the sun and an alternative electricity source.
Prepare for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Flag Day, and every other holiday this summer by purchasing a solar-powered flag pole light. With a 4 LED light and integrated solar panel, Nature Power’s solar flagpole light is a weatherproof device that charges throughout the day and automatically illuminates when the sun goes down.
Did you know that it is illegal to fly the United States flag at night without proper illumination? Using a solar-powered pole light, flag flyers will not have to worry about daily hoisting and lowering, nor will they have to pay for any additional utility electricity.
Simple to install, adjustable, and backed by a year-long warranty, it is now incredibly easy to cast a light on your flag with renewable energy.
Lastly, many consumers are a lot closer to a solar-powered summer than they may think. Using a Nature Power 25W Semi-Flex Monocrystalline Solar Panel, it is possible to charge a 12V battery anywhere and everywhere the sun shines – completely free of charge.
As a semi-flexible monocrystalline solar panel, this energy-generating device combines the most efficient photovoltaic (PV) technology with the convenience of a lightweight and portable package. Perfect for RVs, boats, camping, and emergency backup power, the 25W Semi-Flex Monocrystalline Solar Panel is incredibly easy to mount and use on a variety of surfaces.
A convenient and durable solar panel, Nature Power’s 25W solar panel is a great addition to any solar energy kit.
Happy summer from Solar Us Shop!
To help our customers adopt renewable energy products in their life, we are proud to offer completely free shipping on all orders over $75, all summer long.
Beyond the crowd favorites featured above, our online store is full of great solar-powered devices for every kind of warm-weather activity. If you have any questions at all about our company or the upcoming availability of our popular products, feel free to contact Solar Us Shop, anytime.
]]>Last summer, our never-ending quest to showcase the world’s best renewable energy products allowed us to introduce the Solar Breeze Ariel, an instant hit among eco-conscious pool owners.
And while we already highlighted many of this solar-powered, surface-skimming pool cleaner’s best features in our full review of the Solar-Breeze Ariel, there is still a lot to know about how to properly use this great product.
To help our new, existing, and future customers have the best ownership experience possible, here are some essential tips and tricks on how to take care of your Solar Breeze Ariel.
As a largely self-sufficient machine, the Solar Breeze Ariel is incredibly easy to use. Powered by its onboard solar panel, the Ariel does not require a significant amount of ongoing maintenance. However, there are a few key things that owners should do if they’d like to maximize the life of their purchase.
To start, we suggest that you take a full look at the current Solar Breeze Ariel owner’s manual. Directly from the manufacturer, the Ariel’s owner’s manual is filled with safety precautions, diagrams, warranty details, and other helpful information.
Next, it is very important to know that Ariel customers must register their warranty within 30 days of a purchase. Warranties can be activated on the Solar-Breeze website and owners will need to locate their product’s unique 6-digit serial number.
Once registered, customers are guaranteed a refund, repair, or replacement of a defective product within 1 year of the purchase. Under the limited warranty, coverage may be voided if owners mistreat, fully submerge, or store the product in unsafe temperature conditions.
Once outside of a warranty period, customers may still be able to contact Solar Breeze for additional technical support, over the phone or online, to help extend the life of their product.
There are two main best practices to know when using your Solar Breeze Ariel: keep it clean and away from danger.
To maximize its efficiency and lifespan, Solar Breeze recommends that Ariel debris trays be emptied at least twice per month during regular use. After it has been emptied, the debris tray can then be rinsed with a low-pressure stream such as a hose or outdoor sink.
Beyond rinsing, regular cleanings should also be performed to keep your automatic pool cleaner running at its best. Using regular soap and water, simply wipe your product down, clean it, then finish the job with a dry cloth.
If you begin to notice a red stain on your steel mesh filter that is resistant to basic soap and water scrubbing, you can also use a more powerful Calcium Lime Rust (CLR) cleaner.
In terms of keeping an Ariel safe from danger, the manufacturer recommends that you always remove the device from the water before swimming and never splash or paddle near a pool skimmer while it is in operation.
And although a little bit of rain is unlikely to damage your device, for safety, the Ariel should also be removed from a pool during extreme (hurricane or tornado) weather conditions.
Once your Ariel has made its final voyage for the season, proper storage is essential to ensure the device will be ready in the spring and failure to do so may result in some unexpected surprises.
While avoiding extremely hot or cold locations (below 32°F or above 130°F), the Ariel should be kept in a dry, flat place without anything placed on top of it.
When you bring your device in for the season, be sure to clean it, dry it, and ensure the battery is not completely used before storing it away. For best results, Solar Breeze recommends charging the Ariel until it is full, and then running the unit for about 30 minutes so that it is stored with a partial charge.
After a few months idle, the Ariel should be taken out of storage with care. Before powering it up and putting it in the pool, users should physically turn the Ariel’s wheels to prime the machine for operational movement.
Before concluding, let’s take a look at a few quick troubleshooting tips to keep in mind when things go wrong.
For units that have become stuck in a corner or are simply not skimming quite like they used to, you may have an issue with one of the three paddle wheels. While looking at the device’s underside, run your Ariel to make sure that all three wheels are turning freely.
When there is an obstruction or internal gear issue preventing normal wheel operation, talk to Solar Breeze before making any dramatic adjustments to the system. Or, submit a request to have your unit fixed under warranty.
If your pool cleaner has suddenly stopped working entirely, hold down the power button for approximately 5 seconds or until the indicator lights go out completely. This will reset the circuit board and is likely to fix any small electronic issues associated with an Ariel.
With a lifespan of up to 1,000 cycles, eventually, a failure to power up may also mean that the unit’s battery is no longer able to hold a charge. Through constant use, Solar Breeze owners can expect to replace their batteries every two to three years.
At the end of the day, no product is perfect, but utilizing best practices can help you get the most out of your Solar Breeze Ariel. If you are not satisfied with your Ariel for any reason, you can contact Pivot-Solar Breeze at (623) 582-2825 or customerservice@solar-breeze.com to learn your options.
Are you in the market for a new solar powered pool skimmer? Although they tend to swim off of our shelves as soon as they become available, Solar Us Shop may have a Solar Breeze Ariel in stock for your pool this summer!
]]>With gas and electricity prices on the rise, it's never been more important to keep an eye on your energy usage. A few simple changes to your daily routine will not only help you save on your energy bills but will also make your home more sustainable. Need some pointers? Read on for 10 effective ways of saving energy at home.
Before you start making any significant changes to your everyday habits, it makes sense to carry out a home energy audit. Many companies offer this as a service, but you can undertake an audit yourself with little effort. Inspect your property for things like air leaks that might lead to unwanted drafts. If you spot any, rectify the issue immediately.
If possible, you should also inspect things like insulation and determine whether it needs to be replaced. If you have heating systems and air conditioning units installed, these also need to be checked for efficiency. Equipment that's not performing optimally is going to place a significant drain on domestic energy supplies.
If you're looking to cut energy costs, it may be worth changing suppliers. However, in the United States, this is only possible in certain regions. Only a handful of states have deregulated energy.
Furthermore, these select states don't all offer regulated natural gas and electricity supplies. Provided you have access to deregulated energy, switching suppliers can save you a small fortune over a year.
If changing energy suppliers isn't an option, investing in solar panel technology is a cost-effective way of slashing your energy bills. Furthermore, you'll be using a wholly renewable source of energy with minimal impact on the environment.
A smaller solar panel array can be used to supplement your daily energy needs or charge electric vehicles. Meanwhile, larger arrays can cater to all your energy requirements and help heat your home efficiently.
Even if you invest in solar panel technology, you'll need to ensure you're using more energy than is necessary. Smart home devices are highly effective at monitoring your energy consumption. Smart thermostats put you in full control of your heating systems.
Once installed, you can always enjoy remote access via mobile apps. This remote access not only allows you to adjust your thermostat from anywhere, but it also means you can always track energy consumption.
The appliances you use daily consume a considerable amount of electricity. To save energy and lower your power bills, think about switching out older appliances for more energy-efficient ones. Start with the worst offenders like refrigerators and freezers.
In many homes, these appliances account for more than ten percent of an annual electricity bill. This is understandable. After all, these appliances need to always remain on to maintain consistent temperatures. Once you've switched to a more efficient model, make sure you're not overloading shelves with produce. The more items a refrigerator needs to be cool, the more energy it will consume.
If you're someone who loves cooking from scratch, you're likely using a lot of energy. Around 5 percent of domestic energy consumption goes on cooking and kitchen appliances. This includes electric ovens, microwaves, and stovetops. An easy way to use less energy is to use your microwave more.
Every home needs lighting, so this is one area you should focus on when looking to save energy. Where possible, use LED bulbs. They're generally more expensive than halogen ones, but use only a fraction of the energy. Furthermore, LED bulbs last for longer, making that initial one-off premium a sensible long-term investment.
Heating an entire home is expensive. To minimize energy consumption, make sure you're only heating spaces you're using regularly, like living rooms. Kitchens benefit from residual heat from ovens, so there's no need to waste money on heating these rooms.
It's also important to remember that radiators will continue to produce heat for a while after your central heating systems are turned off. Remember to turn off your thermostat at least half an hour before heading to bed or leaving the house to save as much energy as possible.
Just about every home experiences drafts. Tackling drafts not only makes your home more comfortable but also ensures you're spending less on heating to compensate for them. Easy fixes include kitting out exterior doors with draft excluders.
You should inspect the seals around windows for any signs of wear that might be allowing cold air in. If you have an exposed fireplace that's not being used, think about sealing it up or investing in a chimney balloon to keep your interior insulated against cold air.
When you're in a hurry, it's tempting to simply hit the standby button on televisions or electronic appliances. However, appliances still use a considerable amount of energy when in standby mode.
To ensure you're not using electricity when you don't need to, make a habit of unplugging an appliance when it's not being used. If you're constantly charging laptops, tablets, and smartphones, invest in a smart plug that will stop electricity flowing once a battery has been sufficiently charged.
These are just a few of the ways you can curb your energy consumption at home. Even minor changes to your daily routine can yield big savings. Meanwhile, while some approaches like installing solar panel technology may be expensive, they'll help you save a fortune in the long run and mitigate the impact of the cost of living rises.
Author Bio:
Zoe Dromgoole is the Marketing Executive at Wood Flooring Ireland. Wood Flooring Ireland sells bespoke engineered wood flooring such as herringbone flooring throughout the entire country.]]>The world is constantly progressing forward, looking for innovative ways to preserve energy and protect the planet. One of the century's major innovations is solar panels. They allow us to use clean and renewable electricity for our homes and workplaces. Reducing energy consumption and switching to solar is the breakthrough that proves the advancement in the ecological side of technology. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it can save you a lot of money in the long run after a one-time investment.
There are various things to consider before installing solar panels in your home. This article will run you through a few things to know before taking the next step. In this way, you can understand whether a solar panel is suitable for your home. Let's dive in.
Some things to consider are your home's structure, suitability, and whether it requires repairs.
Firstly, your rooftop must be able to withstand a solar panel's mass. Therefore, maintaining your roof is essential, lest it falls and leads to potential accidents. It is helpful to consider the warranty of your roof and make sure it aligns with the warranty of your solar panel that is to be installed.
Your rooftop requires a viable space for the solar panel to fit. Solar panels vary in size, but the minimum area needed tends to be around 200 square feet. Nothing must be blocking the path between the sun and solar panels to ensure full functionality.
Lastly, it would be wise to consider the direction of the rooftop. A roof that faces south is best exposed to the sun instead of roofs facing other directions. As a result, homes facing south, south-west and south-east are the best candidates for solar panels. However, it would be best to consider nearby infrastructure as they may block sunlight. Additionally, you can get the solar panel fitted so that it tilts towards the sun for maximum efficiency.
As the name 'solar panel' suggests, they require maximum exposure to sunlight to get the most out of them. Regions with fewer clouds and sunny climates are ideal for solar panels. Therefore, cloudier climates will not provide the same energy production. On the plus side, cloudier states tend to have smaller energy consumption than sunny areas, so the panels still have a chance to provide a great advantage.
Before investing in a solar panel, an excellent initiative is to know how much energy your house consumes. It can help to anticipate future routine changes that may require less or more consumption. Calculate energy consumption from your general house appliances, air conditioner usage, and devices, like a power contactor. In this way, you can get a decent idea about how much power you would want your solar panel to generate.
Furthermore, by determining your energy consumption, you can decide on how many solar panels you would need to be installed and the accompanying batteries. This would be useful to prevent the possibility of installing more or fewer panels than you might require, further lowering your costs.
After considering all the things mentioned above, you must look at other factors related to the solar panel itself. For starters, researching reputable solar panels companies before choosing one is ideal. Try opting for a company that has been around longer as they may have more experience. Additionally, speak with contractors and look around for reviews before committing to a solar panel company. This is because you will have to deal with them for the next 10-25 years, depending on the warranty.
Where warranties are concerned, typically, there are two types: performance warranty and product warranty.
A performance warranty is when the company and manufacturer cover the product's operations that it performs its functions within the given time. This type of warranty typically lasts 25-30 years.
A product warranty provides protection when issues related to the product should arise. This typically lasts 15-25 years.
Remember that the warranty's functionalities vary depending on the manufacturer, so undertake proper research.
New and innovative technology is constantly on the rise. One example of such technology is solar panels. They provide various benefits ranging from environmental benefits to reduce costs. However, before buying one, there are certain things to consider. You must ensure your home structure and roof are suitable for handling the weight of a solar panel. An ideal regional climate that is sunny and cloudless is recommended so that they can get maximum sunlight.
Additionally, calculating your power consumption and researching companies and warranties can help you figure out the right solar panel purchase for you. We hope this article has been informative and aids you in choosing a solar panel for your home. Then you, too, can reap the benefits of this technology.
]]>The world relies heavily on energy for manufacturing, transportation, lighting and heating. Traditionally, most of this energy has been produced by burning coal, oil and natural gas. These sources will run out at some point as we continue to extract them from the earth. As a planet, we need to turn to renewable energy to ensure we all have sufficient power in the future. We must also use energy sources that don’t damage the environment and impair our health. Renewable energy is the answer.
Energy sources that do not deplete when used and replenish themselves infinitely are renewable. This includes sunlight, waves, wind and geothermal heat. By contrast, natural gas, oil and coal (fossil fuels) are not being replenished as quickly as they are being used. They will become exhausted. Renewable energy sources are being used and developed every day - currently, 7 different types are leading the way. So, what are they? Let’s begin with solar energy.
Solar energy uses the natural light and heat of the sun to produce electricity, heating or hot water. Solar panels produce electricity when sunlight hits the combination of photovoltaic cells and silicon. A direct current of electricity is generated, which goes through an inverter. The electricity is then used as a power source.
As long as the sun shines, there will be free solar energy. It’s a quiet energy source that doesn’t pollute the air. Solar energy works efficiently in most parts of the globe – it doesn’t have to be sunny all the time, it just has to be light enough to see. Cloudy days and rainy days produce enough light for solar panels to work.
Solar energy is being used in practical ways in many homes across the country every day, from inexpensive garden lights to automatic pool cleaners. To embrace residential solar energy completely, it can be used to heat an entire home as well.
The power of the wind has been used for centuries by ship sails, windmills and pumps. Today, huge turbines use the wind to generate electricity. As the blades of the turbine spin in the wind, the attached shaft turns a generator and produces electrical energy. The wind is a clean energy source that doesn't pollute.
The seas provide two different types of energy – one harnesses the temperature differences in the water, and the other uses the ebb and flow of tides.
In warmer climates, the surface of the ocean is much warmer than the depths, and this difference is used to produce electricity.
The rise and fall of the seas are powerful, and this continuous movement is used to produce electricity in a variety of different ways. For example, turbines that are moved by the flow of water can be found in some countries. Although it is a green energy source, tidal energy isn’t used as commonly as solar.
The Earth’s core is extremely hot, hot enough to melt rock, and this heat can be used as an energy source. Many countries have tapped into the heat below by drilling down and creating steam. Steam is used to power turbines or other methods of producing electricity.
For domestic use, the soil just a few feet below the surface can be utilised for low-temperature geotherm energy. Ground-source heat pumps can be used to hear well-insulated homes year-round.
Bioenergy comes from using biomass, and biomass is a plant-based matter that is used for fuel. Firewood, for example, is biomass, but so are agricultural waste and sewage. Using trees for fuel isn’t easily sustainable but using by-products could be a better source of energy.
Burning biomass produces pollution, and so this isn’t the cleanest renewable source available to us.
Hydrogen is available in abundance. It’s an invisible gas that can be used as a clean energy source on demand. Hydrogen must be processed before it can be used – there are several different ways of doing this such as separating the compounds of water. Once produced, hydrogen is consumed in fuels cells to form electricity. It’s a clean source of energy used currently in trucks, buses and some ships.
What is Hydroelectricity? It’s a renewable energy source that uses moving water to generate electricity. To harness the power of the water, dams are constructed to divert the way a river flows. As the water travels naturally downstream, turbines use the movement to turn and produce electricity. The Hoover Dam on the Nevada/Arizona border, for example, creates approximately 4 billion KWh of electricity every year.
The benefits of using renewable energy are many; fewer emissions, less maintenance, an endless supply and less expensive in the longer run. Some energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, require a connection to the grid, but solar panels can be installed in most properties with just a few factors to consider.
Diarmuid Hennessy is the Operations Manager of HomeCheck. Since 2016, they have been providing property survey services to homeowners throughout Ireland.
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With the growing demand for renewable energy sources like solar power, it's easy to forget that the immediate source of energy is not the only area where the environment can suffer. We are increasingly facing supply chain issues and environmental concerns over the resources needed to make sustainable energy sources in the first place.
Much of this issue revolves around rare earth materials which, as the name suggests, are hard to come by, and get harder with every load that is pulled from the earth. Furthermore, there is much concern over the mining practices used to get these materials, specifically with regards to the damage it does to the surrounding environment.
Many of these issues can be mitigated—if not all but eradicated—by the effective implementation of a circular economy. A circular economy tackles many of the problems associated with sustainable energy. Maximising the use of existing materials reduces the number of materials needed to be taken from our natural environment. And, in doing so, it also reduces the amount of waste we have to deal with from redundant systems because that waste is recycled as much as possible.
The problem with this kind of recycling is that, like the adoption of renewable energy sources themselves, it takes investment from the companies that make things like wind turbines and solar panels. These companies need to be willing to invest in the technologies needed to reclaim materials from obsolete technology, and, right now, the market and regulatory conditions are not incentivising them to do that.
So why should we be incentivising businesses to adopt the kind of "takeback" schemes needed to fuel a circular economy? After all, "incentivisation" in this context typically means more money coming out of the public purse, so it's understandable to want to know that it's going to be worth it.
At the moment, it is still more financially viable to continue extracting fresh materials from the ground than it is to reclaim obsolete hardware for the materials that have already been mined. That being said, these resources are not infinite, and the more we extract, the harder it is to find and extract more.
There will come a time where the increasing difficulty (and costs) of mining new resources will make it cheaper to reclaim materials than to seek fresh ones. That, in turn, will result in lower prices for things like solar panels and wind turbines made using reclaimed materials.
The spectre of environmental disaster has never been more visceral than it is today, and that is turning public sentiment. Increasingly, consumers are demanding transparency, ethical practices, and sustainability from the supply chains of businesses they use, and that sentiment is only set to increase as time goes on and the impact of man-made climate change becomes more evident.
A circular economy reduces the negative environmental impact of creating sustainable technologies, the goodwill from which looks set to be an increasingly important part of the business going forward, especially for companies whose business is making sustainable energy.
The key to making sustainable energy more... well... sustainable, lies in what happens to devices—such as solar panels and wind turbines—when they reach their end-of-life. In this article, we have touched on the fact that it is currently expensive (and, as a result, uncommon) to reclaim things like rare earth metals from obsolete devices, but that is not the only way to recycle technology.
A circular economy will ensure that end-of-life technology is reclaimed wherever possible, and that means a range of options, such as resale, refurbishment, and even breaking up to use individual components as spares parts. There will be cases where decommissioning is the only practical option, of course, but a circular economy will ensure that it is the only practical option.
Ultimately, we as a society need to become more efficient for a variety of reasons, with man-made climate change being one of the more pressing issues we currently face. There is also the matter of adoption—the benefits of sustainable energy increase as it is adopted more widely, but the expense of sustainable energy technologies is a major hurdle to overcome. In a circular economy where resale and refurbishment are commonplace, the technology will become more attainable, if a little outdated.
Lurking in the background is the unavoidable fact that all of the materials we need to make sustainable energy technology are finite. Not only is the process of mining these resources often destructive to the environment, but it will also continue to get more destructive and more expensive as those materials become harder to find. With some estimates predicting that rare earth minerals, in particular, will run out within the next 100 years, a circular economy should be considered a necessity in the long term.
Author Bio: This article was written by Eloise Tobler of Wisetek, who are committed to the principles of the Circular Economy.
]]>April 22nd, 2022 is the 52nd annual celebration of Earth Day – how will you choose to spend it?
As the most widely observed non-religious holiday on the planet, over a billion people are expected to celebrate Earth Day this year, with plenty of environmentally-friendly organized and spontaneous activities to choose from, all over the world.
At Solar Us Shop, we believe that Earth Day is every day, which is why this is our favorite time of the year. To help people get into action and spend their time as effectively as possible, let’s take an inside look at Earth Day 2022, highlight the year's theme, and showcase how everyone can get involved to create real environmental change.
So essentially, over the past half-century, a grassroots movement to turn attention to environmental issues created one of the largest and most important holidays in the world.
While many people actively participate in clean-ups, tree plantings, and other real-world activities every year, Earth Day is also a vehicle for positive environmental policy change.
To help people, businesses, and other organizations focus on action-oriented observations of the holiday, EARTHDAY.ORG creates a central theme for each year’s celebration with campaigns and programs designed to support specific efforts.
Here is a glance at the last 20 years of Earth Day themes:
As designated by Earthday.org, the official theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet” or #InvestInOurPlanet for those on social media platforms. According to the official press release, the theme was chosen to accelerate “solutions to combat our greatest threat, climate change, and to activate everyone – governments, citizens, and businesses – to do their part.”
So what does it mean to invest in our planet? While you could take the theme literally and begin buying up solar energy stocks, there are truly hundreds of different ways to build a better future with smart purchasing decisions now.
On a small scale, this could mean boycotting companies with unsustainable practices or choosing to purchase brands that are focused on minimizing their environmental impacts.
On the other end of the spectrum, Earth Day 2022 strongly encourages companies, governments, and other large organizations to set and meet ambitious goals related to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
Going green is no longer a choice.
Thankfully, in today’s consumer-driven marketplace, the world’s smartest companies are realizing that there is no longer a choice between implementing sustainable practices and staying in business.
In terms of energy use, human rights, and everything in between, organizations that implement sustainability into their business model are much more likely to succeed and profit with worldwide support.
From the smallest household to the largest manufacturing facility, there are so many ways that you can #InvestInOurPlanet this Earth Day. With this year’s theme, there are six main programs and campaigns that official Earth Day events will focus on in 2022. These include:
And while education is one of the most important resources for a better future, getting out and taking action is typically how most people enjoy spending their Earth Days.
If you’d like to get involved in a hands-on celebration near you, there are hundreds of officially recognized Earth Day 2022 events hosted around the world.
Between electronics collections, community clean-ups, and sustainable food-related activities, nearly every major city in the US offers some sort of organized Earth Day event.
Of course, if there are not any events near you or if you’re unable to attend a local celebration, individuals can also celebrate Earth Day 2022 in a variety of ways on their own.
While you’re always welcome to get creative, here are a few things you can do to “Invest in Our Planet” this Earth Day:
With enough individual effort, nothing can stop the green revolution from being implemented to combat the effects of climate change.
As an inherently grassroots movement, the continued growth of Earth Day and its celebrations are very encouraging, and the global community should be very optimistic about the power of small and large changes brought forth by the holiday.
With spring in the air, Solar Us Shop could not be more excited for Earth Day 2022. We hope that this article has helped shine the light on the planet’s greenest holiday and inspired you to #InvestInOurPlanet in some form or another.
If you’re not sure to get started, feel free to browse our entire selection of renewable energy products. From lawn lights to pool cleaners and portable chargers, we’re here to help you live as sustainably as possible with smart products designed for a greener future.
Any questions? Check out our Solar Power FAQ or Wind Generator FAQs to learn more about how renewable energy products can fit into your lifestyle.
]]>As the sun revolves around the globe, more and more countries are generating solar power at small and large scales capacities. And in 2022, the decade-long boom of the international solar energy industry continues to grow.
With geopolitics and supply chain shortages from the coronavirus pandemic limiting the world’s available resources, PV solar power has the potential to domestically generate tons of electricity, anywhere the sun shines. Below, we’ll take a look at which countries are producing the most solar power in 2022.
First and foremost, we must start by saying that the amount of solar power capacity is always increasing around the world. While this is an exciting notion to combat climate change, it also makes it very hard to quantify the actual amount of power generation in any given country at one time, especially as small-scale and dispersed solar energy continues to grow in popularity.
With that all being said, here are the top ten solar-powered countries in the world today…
As the most populous country in the world, China also produces the most solar energy internationally. While only accounting for roughly 3.5% of the country’s total power generation in 2020, solar power in China has grown tremendously year over year since 2011, when government incentives were first introduced.
Able to claim the top spot for both PV and thermal solar energy, China has been producing the most solar electricity worldwide since earning the #1 ranking over Germany in 2015. Produced domestically, China’s solar revolution is largely based on locally made panels.
In North America, it is no secret that the United States is looking to the skies for a sustainable energy grid powered by wind and solar. Although skating by at just 3% of the US’s total electricity generation at the turn of the decade, the EIA projects that solar power could make up as much as 20% of the power grid in 2050.
In the image above, you’ll see solar’s rise in the United States as it gains popularity over other renewable technologies. This is largely due to the fact that solar power is now the cheapest form of electricity ever in the United States when developing new resources.
Next up, let's head back to Asia and visit the island nation of Japan, where (in the irradiance map below) you’ll see that there is a ton of solar potential in the country’s south from Tokyo and onward. Since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan has been capitalizing on this potential, installing enough solar power to be the 2nd highest capacity producer in the world in 2016.
Alongside a feed-in tariff and other government subsidies, Japan’s small-scale solar power generation has been accelerating since 2008. However, it has been the country’s large PV power plant projects that have allowed Japan to become a world leader in the industry since the launch of the Solar Ark in 2002.
Flying to the next continent over, Germany has been Europe’s leader in solar power since the turn of the millennium. With the second-most PV solar capacity per capita installed in the world, Germany surpassed the 50,000 MW mark in 2020. As the former world leader in total installed capacity, information from this 2016 fact sheet below shows exactly how the country managed to become so prolific in the industry.
Looking forward, Germany hopes to be powered by 80% renewable energy in 2050, with significant production from PV solar. While feed-in tariffs are slowly losing their value, the country continues its acceleration towards a larger renewable grid with high-capacity projects throughout its cities and rural areas.
As the second-most populous country that may be well on its way to the number one spot, India has tremendously grown its solar power footprint in the last 5 years. Although it hoped to achieve 20 GW capacity of solar installation by 2022, India actually managed to hit that target four years early.
Data from https://www.renewablesindia.in/
With over 300 clear and sunny days per year, India can capitalize on great conditions for generating solar power all over the country. Currently, it is operating and rapidly developing tons of large-scale projects for both PV and thermal solar energy.
Next, Italy is currently Europe’s second-largest producer of solar power and was once the world’s #1 in 2013. After being motivated by the effects of climate change since the 1990s, Italy has long been one of the most powerful voices for new international solar energy development.
With eyes on the Mediterranean Sea to host a floating super grid, Italy is in a great position geographically and politically to become a local leader in the future of solar. Hoping to reach 52 GW of domestically installed PV capacity by 2030, Italy continues to be one of the solar industry’s strongest players.
Although most will picture the UK as a cloudy, gray landscape, this hasn’t stopped Great Britain and Northern Ireland from producing roughly 4% of their total energy with PV solar panels in 2022. Across England, Wales, Scotland, and beyond, both the government and private citizens in the UK have been strategically developing new solar farms since 2010, when feed-in tariffs were introduced.
Although truly limited in total potential, solar power still plays a strong role in the future of a greener United Kingdom. Despite the fact that new PV capacity has slowed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK still hopes to achieve its goal of 100% renewable sources by 2035.
Down Under, Australia has the most PV solar per capita installed in the world with over 3 million independently operating sites. With a huge majority of the country’s materials coming from China to the north, Australia’s solar potential is unmatched. Looking at the irradiance data below, you’ll see that the continent is practically built for solar power.
So what’s stopping Australia from 100% solar power? Unfortunately, the vast majority of the country's population lives in the coastal cities with the least amount of solar potential. Even so, Australia's numerous solar farms and PV power plants are helping cities like Sydney achieve their ambitious goals of 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Home of Europe's largest floating PV module (as pictured below), France is another world leader in solar power development. Although the technology has had mixed political support over the last decade, both large-scale and residential solar power in France have been slowly rising in total installed capacity.
Recently announcing a 100 GW target by 2050, France has now officially set its first solar power goal and is on pace to get there with 5 GW of new PV capacity installed each year. So while slow to reach its current position in the world’s rankings, France is certainly one of the most exciting countries to watch in the next decade of solar power.
And finally, South Korea earns the last spot in our list of the top ten solar-powered countries around the world. Deploying 4.1 GW of solar in 2020 and even more in 2021, the country is aiming to develop 30.8 GW of new solar power capacity by 2030 alongside 16.5 GW of new wind power.
As a country largely dependent on imported oil and natural gas, South Korea’s electrification and renewable energy development are helping it become a more sustainably powered country overall. While previously focused on nuclear, South Korea is now working to decommission its coal and alternative power plants to focus on new solar and wind development.
For more information on solar power and renewable energy, feel free to check out all of the articles in the Solar Us Shop blog.
]]>The future is solar-powered, or at least that’s what it may look like here in the United States. And while we certainly still have a long way to go (and an enormous amount of red tape to cross) Solar Us Shop is happy to be a part of the renewable energy revolution, primarily powered by the sun, wind, and water.
In this article, we take a look ahead at solar energy’s potentially leading role in the future of United States electricity generation.
In 2020, nearly one-fifth (19.8%) of the electricity generated at a utility-scale level nationwide was powered by renewable energy resources. A slowly rising percentage in the country’s energy portfolio, the top two renewables in 2020 were wind and hydropower, which accounted for 338 billion and 291 billion kWh generated, respectively.
At a distant third place, solar energy still remains far behind hydro and wind, with an estimated 91 billion kWh generated at the utility-scale level in 2020. In this 91 billion, the large majority (88 billion) came from photovoltaic (PV) solar, with thermal solar, also contributing 3 billion kWh to the total.
Thankfully, unlike natural gas, coal, wind, and hydroelectric power, solar energy has the distinct advantage of small-scale generation and onsite consumption potential.
So while you won’t see many coal-fired power plants in your neighborhood, the residential and commercial solar panel boom is beginning to reshape the way electricity is created and used around the world.
Amounting to nearly half of the nationwide utility-level solar generation in 2020, small-scale solar systems produced approximately 42 billion kWh of electricity in the same year. Here, small-scale systems, also known as microgeneration, are defined as less than one megawatt (MW).
Nicknamed the Solar+ Decade by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEI), many are hopeful to see the continued growth of solar development throughout the United States.
Things are looking good too because to kick off the decade, the United States Department of Energy released the Solar Futures Study to research the technology’s role in the transition to an emission-free electric grid.
In the study, the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) concluded that solar power could potentially supply 40% of US electricity by 2035 and 45% by 2050.
When substituted for natural gas, coal, and other fossil fuels, the transition to solar would dramatically help decrease current and future carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change.
With emission-free electricity generation, solar is seen as a great choice to support the decarbonization and large-scale electrification goals of a future with cleaner energy.
As solar can be generated anywhere the sun is shining, private electric vehicles and full company fleets can potentially be powered by large-scale solar and storage.
In fact, studies have shown that meeting the estimated national demand for electricity in 2050 would only require 0.5% of the land in the contiguous United States to be used for power generation.
While it is certainly not that simple, the potential of widespread solar power becomes even more apparent when considering its ability to generate power on rooftops, uninhabitable land, off-shore, and more.
When evaluating new solar installations against coal and natural gas development, future decarbonization costs can be completely mitigated by solar’s long lifetime of emission-free generation.
Alongside support policies (like net metering), material cost reductions, and available incentives, solar power has enormous potential to continue its accelerated growth in the United States without increasing electricity costs for consumers.
Of course, there is a lot more to developing solar energy than just putting panels on a roof. If the grid of the future includes more widespread generation, then reliability and resilience will be key in also adding the storage, flexibility, and transmission expansion necessary to accommodate the distributed power production.
Unfortunately, solar also has a highly variable energy production rate, which makes it difficult for large-scale deployment in areas with varying sunlight hours throughout the day, season, and year. Alongside intermittent production, batteries are also absolutely necessary to support a solar-only community.
To make this a reality, new storage technologies must be continuously researched and tested to improve efficiency and affordability.
With the current growth of the solar energy industry in the United States, supportive infrastructure initiatives can only stand to help boost the technology forward.
To meet the bold decarbonization goals of 2030 and 2035 set by various entities, intentional action and development are absolutely necessary to stop both the effects of climate change and rising energy prices in their tracks.
The Solar+ decade earned its nickname because it is going to take solar “plus” a lot of other things to efficiently develop the best possible energy grid.
Thankfully, new solar installations and storage will help create and maintain jobs in many different industries, including financing, construction, manufacturing, customer service, and more. By working together through thoughtful collaboration, solar can certainly have a bright future in the United States.
Learn more with Solar Us Shop.
Stay up to date with renewable news and gadgets in our solar power blog, where we dive deep into other important topics. If you were unfamiliar with any of the terms or technologies used in this article, feel free to consult our solar energy FAQ for more helpful information.
]]>Renewable sources of power are becoming more and more popular as people look for ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. And while many homeowners still rely on traditional methods like solar and wind energy, a few new options are available you can consider while doing 3d architectural renderings. In this article, we’ll take a look at five renewable sources of power you can use at home in 2022.
Solar energy is the most popular form of renewable energy globally and is expected to take over as the leading source of power by 2022. It is due to the falling prices of solar panels and the increasing demand for solar-powered homes. If you’re looking to install solar panels on your home, there are a few things you need to know. First, you’ll need to size your system appropriately. You can do this by using a solar calculator or talking to a solar installer. Second, you’ll need to find a good location for your panels. The best place to install solar panels is on a south-facing roof that gets plenty of sunlight. Third, you’ll need to decide on the type of solar panels you need. The two most popular types are monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. And finally, if you plan on selling your home in five years or less, you should probably avoid installing solar panels due to the negative impact they can have on your property value.
Wind energy is another popular choice for homeowners who want to switch to renewable power sources. This method works by using wind turbines which convert kinetic energy into electrical energy that can be stored or used immediately. If you’re planning on building a wind turbine at your home, then some factors may influence the potential output of the system. These local wind speed, tower height, turbine types, and rotor diameters influence how much energy your turbine can produce.
Hydropower is the process of using water to generate electricity. It can be done by using a dam to store water and then releasing it through turbines to create electricity. Alternatively, you could use a micro-hydro system to generate power through a small stream or river. If you’re thinking of using hydropower at your home, there are a few things you need to consider. The first is water availability – you need to have access to a body of water that can be used to generate electricity. Second, you need to make sure that the area is zoned for residential hydropower generation. And third, you need to look into how feasible it is to use hydropower at your home or business.
Tide energy is another form of renewable energy that harnesses natural movements in tides and oceans to generate electricity. There are very few tide-powered systems in operation worldwide, but this method can be used for both large and small-scale applications. For example, tidal barrages can capture tidal water behind a dam that drives turbines connected to generators when the tide comes in. Alternatively, floating platforms could be anchored out at sea or onshore where they’re not affected by dryland conditions. And finally, just like wind energy, the most effective time for generating tidal energy is during a full or new moon.
Geothermal energy is the process of using heat from the Earth to generate electricity. It can be done by drilling into the Earth’s surface to extract hot water and steam or using geothermal pumps to circulate water through the ground. If you’re thinking of using geothermal energy at your home, then there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to find an area with enough accessible resources to support your system. Second, you need to ensure that your home is adequately insulated to keep the heat in. And third, you need to consider the cost of installing and running a geothermal system.
Now that you know the basics of renewable energy, it’s time to decide which option is best for you. Keep in mind that every home is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. So, if you’re still unsure about which renewable source of power to choose, then consult with a solar installer or wind energy specialist to help you make the right decision for your home.
To learn more about solar panels and solar energy, wind energy and wind turbine generators for home use, and power inverters, be sure to check out our free resources!
]]>Solar power is becoming more and more popular as people become more environmentally conscious. Solar power provides an efficient and renewable source of energy, and it also helps reduce your carbon footprint.
If you're thinking about installing solar panels in your home, you'll want to read this guide first. This article will discuss the basics of solar power, including how it works and the benefits of using it. We'll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to install solar panels in your home.
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. This energy can power homes, businesses, and other buildings.
The sun is a virtually inexhaustible energy source, and solar power is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to generate electricity. Solar panels can be installed on homes and businesses to provide a virtually unlimited renewable energy source.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells are made up of two layers of semiconductor material, one type of which has a positive charge and one type of which has a negative charge. When sunlight shines on the cell, it causes the electrons in the top layer break free from their atoms. These free electrons then flow through the cell to the bottom layer, where they combine with the holes in the atoms to create electricity.
The amount of electricity produced by a solar panel depends on the size of the cell. The cells in a standard photovoltaic solar panel are made from silicon wafers, as small as 8 inches by 12 inches. When several of these panels are connected into an array, they can produce enough electricity to power everything from homes and offices to entire utility grids.
Solar power is used by people worldwide to heat water, heat homes, cook food, cool buildings during hot weather, provide electricity for businesses and communities, and perform many other functions that use traditionally derived energy sources like coal or oil.
Solar panels are a great way to reduce your reliance on the grid, and with prices dropping every year, they're becoming more and more affordable. But before you can install solar panels on your roof, there are a few things you need to know. This guide will walk you through the basics of solar panel installation so that you can make an informed decision about whether solar is right for you.
There are many factors to consider when installing solar panels in your home. Here are seven of the most important:
The first step is to assess your home's location and sunlight exposure. Solar panels need direct sunlight for optimal performance, so make sure to install them in a spot that gets plenty of suns.
When sizing solar panels, you'll need to consider the amount of energy your home consumes. You'll also need to factor in the size of your roof and the amount of space available for solar panels.
Not all solar panels are created equal. Make sure to choose a panel with high efficiency so you can get the most out of your investment.
Be sure to have enough electrical cable on hand to connect your solar panels to your electrical system.
Solar panels are rated for energy production in watts, so you'll need to determine how many watts are necessary to meet your needs. Higher wattage means more charging power, but it will cost more out of pocket.
Prices vary depending on the type of solar panel you choose and the manufacturer, so be sure to shop around before making a purchase decision. Be aware that some panels have higher upfront costs than others. You can find reasonably priced high-quality equipment without compromising quality or performance by shopping around.
Ask what kind of warranty each company offers on its equipment and operations/maintenance services. Furthermore, research how long the warranty lasts because more extended warranties usually indicate a more durable, reliable solar panel.
Solar panels are built to last, but they also require proper maintenance to ensure optimal performance. You will need to regularly clean the panels of smudges and debris that block sunlight, reducing energy production by up to 15%. To keep your panels operating at their best, we recommend having them cleaned twice a year (or more often if you live in an area where there's a lot of pollen or dust in the air).
Once you've gathered all this information, it's time to start shopping for solar panels. There are several different brands and models available, so make sure to do your research before purchasing. You'll also need to factor in the cost of installation, which can vary depending on your location.
If you decide to install solar panels, be sure to contact your local utility company and let them know. They may be able to provide you with a special rate for solar energy users, or they may even offer to buy back your excess power.
From all of us at Solar Us, we would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! To learn more about solar power, wind energy, and renewable energy components for your home or business, be sure to check out the Solar Us Blog!
]]>Of course, with solar and other renewable energies, it is not always “sunshine and rainbows.” And unfortunately, it doesn’t take a genius to point out that solar panels cannot produce electricity at night.
While we are not here to lie about any of the shortcomings of renewable energy, we thought it may be a good idea to put all of the disadvantages of renewable energy out in the open to remind everyone that we are aware of the potential setbacks of optimal performance.
Below, we’ll take a look at all of the disadvantages of solar, wind, and other renewable energy resources to discuss a few of the things that are being done to overcome these issues.
As renewable technology continues to evolve, we hope that these potential problems continue to be the target of effective innovations.
To begin, let's take a look at some of the most common problems associated with solar energy production.
Yes, solar runs on sunlight, which means it may only be available for half of each day. And while you cannot generate solar electricity at night, energy generation is also more difficult as the sun rises and sets during off-peak hours.
With this in mind, solar energy systems are typically designed to capture as much daily sunlight as possible. In grid-connected systems, solar panels can help produce enough power during the day to help offset any electricity used at night in a net metering scenario. Off-grid, batteries can be used to store daylight energy to be consumed throughout the evening.
Aside from the daily schedule of sunlight as the earth rotates on its axis, the amount of sun a property receives can also be limited depending on the season. For example, in places like Alaska, solar energy may be a very good resource in the summer when sunlight is available nearly every hour of the day, but not so good in the winter when sunlight hours are extremely limited.
To get a good idea of how much sunlight your property receives, we recommend taking a look at any of the resource maps for solar data in the US. In most places, solar energy production is highest during the summer, but still able to produce a large amount of electricity during the lesser, but more intense sunlight hours of the winter.
Yes, it is true that solar panels cannot produce electricity when they are covered in snow. However, once the snow is removed (whether by the sun or your garden hose), your panels will be bright and sparkling like new with a fresh wash removing any dust or grime accumulated during the spring, summer, and fall.
On cloudy days, solar panels are still able to generate some electricity, although it is true that the efficiency is very limited. From partly cloudy days to overcast conditions, clouds and storms can affect solar production, however, typical climate conditions are typically taken into consideration before constructing a large solar system.
Next, solar panels take up space, and sometimes a lot of it. While most homes have enough roof or property space available for a small array of solar panels, not every location is fit for a PV system. On a large scale, this is being combatted with virtual net metering programs and off-site solar farms in which customers can adopt green energy without physically installing anything themselves on their own property.
And finally, another hiccup that prevents average people from adopting a 100% solar lifestyle is the high cost of investment. Although we pride ourselves on carrying many affordable solar products in our shop, full home systems can easily cost 5-figures when purchasing 30 years' worth of electricity at once.
Again, to combat this, many utilities and independent companies offer leased systems or financed solar energy options installed with zero upfront costs to begin.
Did you know that wind power is the largest source of renewable energy in the country? With installations all across the United States, here are a few of the limitations of wind energy that have persisted into the 2020s.
Although windmills are no stranger to open fields and mountain tops, you are much less likely to see a wind-energy turbine in the middle of a city or suburban neighborhood. While our home wind turbines are designed for small-scale use, wind energy devices are typically limited by many building and safety code requirements that have prevented widespread residential adoption.
For this reason, the majority of wind energy produced in the United States today comes from some sort of “wind farm.” By designating specific areas for installation, specific sites can be created based on ideal wind conditions as well as new and existing power distribution systems.
Although most renewable energy operators will tell you that “you get used to it,” anyone close to a large wind turbine can instantly recognize a subtle but ever-present hum. When in operation, wind energy turbines can emit a faint noise that may disturb those near the generation.
For this reason (and for other spatial concerns), there have been a growing number of marine wind power generators installed over the past decade. By moving wind energy off-shore, more space can be saved for people and other land uses.
One of the best parts about wind energy is the potential for 24/7 electricity production. However, this does not always mean that a significant amount of power is produced every hour throughout the day. In truth, wind energy can be unpredictable, inconsistent, or only set to a specific schedule for intermittent power production.
To help account for inconsistent power generation, wind turbines must be accompanied by battery backup systems or connected to the energy grid for distribution. As inverter technology continues to evolve, modern wind energy systems can capture potential power and more efficiently convert it into usable AC electricity.
Although it is true that wind turbines may kill bats and birds, studies have shown that the overall number of animals killed is not significant enough to be concerned about in the present. While researchers are constantly looking for ways to improve the safety of wildlife alongside renewable energy generation, scientists have agreed that any step away from coal and other fossil fuel use is a good step for wildlife and environmental preservation.
Although solar and wind are the two of the most common renewable energies used in the country, it was not long ago that hydroelectricity reigned as the number one green energy source used in the United States. Continuing to be used to this day in many different locations, hydroelectric power is still a great renewable energy source, but is unfortunately and obviously limited to only serving locations near flowing bodies of water.
Likewise, biomass is becoming an increasingly popular renewable energy resource, with a ton of applications at the small and large scale levels. On the downside, biomass projects can be expensive and complicated to start, require a lot of physical space, and may not always actually be the “greenest” option on the table.
In a similar sense, geothermal energy is among the most sustainable resources that can be found on earth, however, it is only available in select locations. And while nuclear energy is continuously tested for its dynamic capabilities, there is still a very valid fear in investing in technology with potentially catastrophic consequences.
To sum things up, there are many setbacks to adopting renewable energy in the United States, from the necessary infrastructure improvements to the actual limitations of the resources themselves.
With that said, we simply do not have a choice when it comes to the effects of global warming and unsustainable practices, and people are looking for new ways every day to help green energy technologies push through the challenges necessary for widespread adoption.
For more information about the pros and cons of our two favorite renewable resources, feel free to check out our solar energy FAQ or wind energy FAQ to read the answers to some of the most common questions people have about green electricity.
Energy costs are on the rise. The biggest contributor to the average fuel bill is heating. In the northern hemisphere, many of us still rely on energy converted from fossil fuels to provide year-round heating. If you're looking to make your home more sustainable, it's well worth exploring the benefits of solar panel technology.
Solar panels are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to install, with many suppliers providing ongoing support for customers. With more products available than ever before, it's simple to find a solar-powered solution to heat just about any home. When properly implemented, solar-powered systems can provide you with all the energy required to meet your heating needs.
Thermal solar panels are an option for those looking to heat their home. However, many homeowners in the United States instead rely on a combination of solar panels and heat pumps. There's a good reason for this approach. Heat pumps are becoming increasingly common, while photovoltaic solar panels are also widely used. You won't struggle to find a supplier for both types of technology, making routine maintenance both accessible and affordable.
By contrast, support for solar thermal panel technology is far harder to come by. Because of this increasing popularity, you'll also benefit from a more exhaustive product range if you go the heat pump/photovoltaic panel route.
Even though thermal solar panels are an efficient way to gather and store solar energy, they're far harder to implement in the average home. If you're looking for reliable solar technology that you can continue to maintain and upgrade over time, PV panels and heat pumps are the obvious choice. Because of the increased range of products on offer, it's also easier to meet the unique heating challenges of your home.
Solar heating systems are broadly divided into two groups. The first is passive solar heating. This style of solar technology is a more holistic approach to heating, requiring no mechanical elements and secondary energy supply. To be used effectively, you'll need to think carefully about building design and insulation factors. Active solar heating systems are more elaborate, requiring supporting technologies like thermal heaters and photovoltaic panels.
Many new builds are now embracing the principles of passive solar heating. In simple terms, passive solar heating refers to a building that has been thoughtfully designed to capture sunlight, providing a natural source of heating for your home. This can be a challenge for buildings located in colder climates or at northern extremes. To overcome these climate-specific obstacles, passive solar heating is often enabled by the installation of premium insulation and south-facing windows.
Countless other factors can impact the success of a passive solar heating solution. You'll need to think carefully about landscaping. If the south side of your home is surrounded by foliage, make sure the species you're planting are deciduous varieties that won't serve as an obstacle to sunlight during the winter months.
The key benefit of a passive solar heating solution is that no electricity is required. While mechanical solar power technology also has no place in a passive system, windows and insulation material may need to be replaced for maximum effectiveness. Triple glazed windows may be expensive, but this premium outlay can yield considerable savings in the long run.
Undertaking a new build or radical remodel project isn't the only way you can make use of passive solar heating in your home. In fact, there are many smaller steps you can take to slash your energy bills and ensure your home is sufficiently heated by natural sources. Investing in high-quality blinds is one of the easiest things you do to minimize energy consumption. This is particularly important if you have a lot of south-facing windows.
If you're eager to experiment with the passive solar heating principle, it's also worth adapting smaller buildings on your premises. Freestanding garages and detached workshops can be more easily reconfigured than your main home.
Active solar heating is something else entirely. Unlike passive heating, active systems capture and store solar energy for later use. Although active solar heating is a sustainable energy solution, it does involve a more complex setup of mechanical elements to power things like water pumps and fans.
Active solar systems used to heat spaces are divided into two main varieties. The first is liquid-based systems that rely on water tanks to effectively store and redistribute heat around your home. In addition to water storage tanks, other elements like radiant slabs and heat pumps are utilized. Air-based systems use thermal mass storage in the form of rock bins, as well as a system of blowers and ducts to distribute the heated air throughout your home.
Active solar heating has a broader range of applications. Solar space heating makes it a particularly good choice for those looking to heat larger properties, while it can also be used to heat water for use in central heating systems or swimming pools.
Unlike passive solar heating, active solar heating can be utilized in just about any home. For starters, you don't need to worry too much about the orientation of your windows. What's more, because solar energy is stored for later use, active solar heating is a better option for buildings based in less sunny climates. Contact us today at Solar US Shop for more information on solar panel kits for your home or business.
Author bio:
John Keohane is the owner of JK Services, an expert in solar panels and EV chargers. JKS install both in homes and businesses through Ireland.]]>Solar energy is the least expensive form of electricity in human history. It’s clean and efficient. And contrary to what you may have heard, it’s incredibly reliable - as long as the sun exists, solar will continue to be an excellent way of creating electricity.
So why isn’t solar everywhere?
It’s hard to store.
That’s the main problem with solar energy. The batteries that are currently available can certainly store some electricity - a lot, even - but they can’t store it for very long. That means you can’t rely on solar batteries to carry you through the winter in northern climates.
Fortunately, there are other ways of taking advantage of solar power. We’re going to discuss storing solar in two scenarios: on the grid, and off the grid. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to unlock solar’s full potential.
Solar is, in some ways, at its full potential when homeowners are connected to an existing power grid. In these scenarios, the power grid itself acts as a form of storage - a giant battery for your solar energy, if you will.
Here’s how it works: utilities will sometimes have a power buying scheme in place, often called net metering. When your solar panels are grid-tied (connected to the utility’s electric grid), and you generate more energy than you need, the utility will buy that excess energy and credit you for it. Then, when winter comes around, you can use those credits to pay for your electrical bill.
This is, of course, a roundabout way of getting storage, but you can think of the electrical grid as one giant battery in this scenario. Most homes will produce more energy in the summertime than they can use (as long as you have a suitably sized array), and won’t be able to produce enough energy in the winter. Your utility purchasing your energy and distributing it through the grid is the best storage solution - and it helps make the entire grid more environmentally friendly.
To understand how solar energy is stored in off-grid setups, you need to know a bit about solar batteries.
Most solar batteries are lithium-based, but there are constantly new varieties showing up on the market.
Installing solar batteries isn’t as easy as just picking up a set of AAs from your local grocery store. Unless you purchase a whole lot of batteries (and generate a whole lot of energy), your batteries won’t be able to power every appliance in your home - especially not your air conditioner.
As such, you may need to install a sub-panel to control the electricity passing through your solar battery. You’ll also need to create a space in which to house your solar batteries. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s well worth it - you’ll be able to live off-grid.
During the winter, you may find that even with solar panels and batteries, you’re not generating as much electricity as you might like. If that’s the case, you can opt to use personal wind turbines to generate more electricity. One of the advantages of these turbines is that you can design your battery system to accept both solar power and wind power.
Our friends at SRB Energy up in Canada recommend getting a solar battery in certain scenarios, even if you’re grid-tied. If your utility won’t offer you reasonable credits for the solar energy you sell them, you should consider a battery. In the same vein, if you’re in an area where blackouts occur frequently, a solar battery can act as an emergency power source.
As you now know, solar energy can be stored - it’s not nearly as unreliable as some might lead you to believe. Storage solutions for solar are becoming more and more efficient by the day - be sure to check out our wide selection of solar panel kits to see some of the solutions we have in store! Additionally, if you are looking to learn more or have questions about solar power - be sure and check out our comprehensive list of Solar Energy FAQ's.
]]>Though the initial investment may appear pricey, installing solar panels can save you a lot of money in the long run. Since sunlight is free, solar energy is largely considered to be the cheapest source of energy in the world. So long as you live in a region that gets enough sunlight, solar panels will be able to sufficiently produce enough energy to meet your electricity needs.
However, the efficiency of such an investment will depend on the quality of the solar panels you purchase. To help you get started, we’ve provided a list of criteria you need to consider when buying a solar panel.
All solar panels become less efficient under excessive heat. Such reduction in performance capacity occurs because solar panels create energy by using photons to raise the energy levels of electrons in a semiconductor. However, when the temperature is too high, surrounding electrons will have already been elevated to that state. This leaves the solar panel with too few electrons to work with to create energy.
Thus, you need to look for solar panels with a low-temperature coefficient. A solar panel’s temperature coefficient describes the percentage of decrease in performance capacity under high temperatures, wherein the benchmark is 25°C. For example, if a solar panel claims to have a temperature coefficient of -0.3% / °C, this means that the module’s efficiency will decrease by 0.3% per 1°C above 25°C. Solar panels tend to have temperature coefficients between -0.3% / °C to -0.5% / °C.
Installing solar panels can be a great way to cut down electricity costs and help the environment. To select a good solar panel, pay attention to its conversion efficiency, solar cell type, durability, and temperature coefficient.
We hope you enjoyed this article, and we welcome you to explore more solar panel facts on our Solar Panel FAQ page. Additionally, if you would like to buy solar panels for your home, be sure to check out our wide range of solar panel systems and kits!
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At Solar Us Shop, we are always on the lookout for the next eco-gadget or environmentally-friendly gift that can help bring joy to people’s lives as a useful product that keeps the health of the planet in mind. For this holiday season and for many to come, we’ve developed this list of our top ten personal favorite gift ideas for the outdoorsmen or environmentalists in your life.
Although it doesn’t take much to enjoy the outdoors, a good pair of shoes is the best way to get out there and experience nature firsthand. Whether you’re looking for a tough pair of hiking boots, a lightweight pair of open-toed sandals, or anything in between, shoes that are built for the outdoors are a practical gift that will certainly go to good use.
Second only to essential footwear, nearly every outdoorsman will also need some extra battery power from time to time. A solar-powered battery charger is a great way to charge up mobile devices on the go, with the free infinite power of the sun to keep things electrified along the way, free of charge. As most battery chargers are also able to power up with wall sockets and USB ports, the possibilities are endless to keep phones, cameras, GPS devices, tablets, and more electrified while enjoying the great outdoors.
Speaking of fuel, we guarantee that you’ve never met an outdoorsy person who will refuse a good snack. While not necessarily a traditional gift, snacks are usually the first gifts to be enjoyed throughout the holidays, and there are many great products that taste as good outdoors as they do on the couch. For men, women, and kids of all ages, outdoor lovers are sure to enjoy a high-quality bag of trail mix, beef jerky, or even chocolate, whether or not it is shaped like a snowman is up to you.
Just like a great snack, a good book or outdoor magazine is also the perfect gift for enjoying both at home and on the go. While there are plenty of classic novels about the wilderness (we’re looking at you John Muir), there are also tons of interesting coffee table books and image-filled glossy magazines that can help convince anyone to take their next adventure with real photos, trip ideas, and endless inspiration.
While you’re enjoying the holidays, why not give a gift that environmentalists will love to pull out year after year? With a set of solar-powered holiday string lights, you can decorate your favorite outdoor space with the bright colors of the season without having to worry about plugging into an electrical outlet. So not only can you take your decorations to camp with you, but you can also add them to your home without worrying about an unwanted holiday electricity bill in your future.
No matter where you are in the world, it is always good to be prepared for a bit of weather. Waterproof accessories like drybags, rain jackets, and other protective measures are some of the most morale-saving pieces of equipment that money can buy. Whether you are looking for hunting or hiking gift ideas, there isn’t a single person in the world who does not like to stay dry while enjoying the outdoors.
An absolute essential for both camping and simply hanging out in the backyard, a portable camping lantern is one of the most universally useful gifts for anyone who spends their time outside. While there are hundreds of camp lights to choose from, we always recommend a solar charging camping lantern for prolonged, sustainable use in the wilderness.
Although many outdoorsmen and women crave adventure, just as many people will recognize that leisure is an important part of any great outdoor experience. With tons of size, material, and style options on the market today, a hammock can both fit in your backpack or be permanently affixed between two trees in a backyard. If you’d like to give someone the gift of relaxation, few gifts are better than an outdoor hammock.
To throw a curveball late in the list, die-hard environmentalists may truly appreciate composting products as a holiday gift in the right circumstances. As a present that can take up a large amount of space, composting kits are typically reserved as gifts for people that either live together or have specifically already discussed the idea of finding more ways to go green. More than anything, composting kits make great gifts for gardeners with a little extra space on their property.
Since we began this list with a gift for outdoorsy people to wear on their feet, we are going to conclude with presents designed for people to wear on their heads. Specifically, we’re talking about functional outdoor equipment like a warm winter hat, a wide-brimmed safari cap to block the sun, or even a bright battery-powered headlamp for evening illumination. As simple as it sounds, if you’re ready to stop thinking about what gift to purchase, then you can’t go wrong with a great hat for use in the outdoors.
So there you have it: ten great gifts for any outdoors enthusiast. To include a bonus idea, we'd like to recommend the Zero Breeze Mark 2 Portable Air Conditioner as the perfect honorable mention for camping, boating, and any instance where you need to keep cool while enjoying the outdoors.
Although a bit more expensive than a hat or some snacks, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a gift for the whole family, and you can learn more about the product in our full review of the portable air conditioner here.
Thankfully most people who appreciate the environment are not too picky when it comes to gifts, and we’ve outlined some of the most functional and affordable items that any outdoorsman or environmentalist can appreciate and enjoy.
For further inspiration, feel free to check out all of the eco-friendly products in the Solar Us Shop. Here, you can browse more gift ideas for your friends and family, or even find yourself the eco-friendly upgrade you’ve always been waiting to purchase. ]]>