Free Article: Solar Power Panels

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The Basics Of Solar Power Panels
By George Sykes

Solar power panels work by simply converting the sun's energy into usable electricity, which is then stored in the system's batteries. A “charger regulator”, which is found between the panel and battery, ensures that the battery does not over-charge and protects the battery from draining excessively.

Depending on your required electrical output, the energy from the sun can be converted from 12 or 24 DC volts using a transformer into 220 or 240 volts. An important part of solar-based systems is the control component that shuts down power automatically in order to preserve your battery. Some systems include a display so that you can monitor if the solar power panels and batteries are working properly.

You can choose different solar power panels depending on how you wish to use the solar electricity. If you and your family frequently engage in outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, trekking or backpacking, you can benefit from foldable solar power panels that are designed to be lightweight, compact and they fold in half. These types of panels adapt perfectly in any kind of requirement and application as portable devices.

How To Choose A Solar Power Panel

Each type of solar panel is rated depending on the output power. Based upon ideal conditions, 75 watts in a solar power panel can produce 75 watts of usable electricity. However, different factors may reduce the electricity production in more than half of the ideal 75 watts.

Be aware that the type of solar panel you choose will depend on what functions you want it to serve. If you want to use to panel for your home, you will need to mount the solar power panel on your roof to receive the energy directly from the sun. The size of the panel will greatly affect the amount of electricity you can use each day.

If you wish to bring a portable panel for your camping trip, a small and low-powered unit will do the trick. On the other hand, if you want the solar power system to power the electrical needs of your vehicle or system 24/7, then you will need larger panels to produce usable electricity continuously.

To determine the size of a particular solar power panel based on your individual needs, you need to estimate a calculation based on the power consumption of all electrical appliances that will be powered by the system. After totaling all electrical consumption of lights, water pumps, entertainment devices and other appliances, then you should estimate the hours you use each item everyday. By simply multiplying the total power consumption by the hours, you can have an estimate of the total electrical requirements you need daily.

Author Details:
George Sykes writes for various web sites writing articles about environmental issues and green energy such as solar power.

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