Kara's Kids Corner
What solar electric energy can do for kids by Kara Lessord
My name is Kara Lessord, and I am helping with some of this information on solar energy because I know it will help kids like us in our future. My father has thought me just how important solar energy is to our future, and how it helps our environment. I hope you enjoy this information, and I hope it helps make your home just like ours. Thanks!
The meaning of solar?
 Solar panels are several cells that convert light into electricity. They are called "solar" panels because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun, called Sol by astronomers. This term is also referred as "photovoltaic's" which means, basically, "light-electricity."
A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Many small solar cells spread over a large area can work together to provide enough power to be useful in making larger amounts of electrical current. This current is called DC, or direct current. The more light that hits a cell, the more electricity it produces.
- What is a solar cell? A small square or circle made from silicone and small wires. The silicone comes from within the earth.
- What is a solar panel? A series of solar cells make up a solar panel. Solar panels, or solar modules are made from silicone, a frame goes around the outside, and glass to protect the silicone from rain or snow.
- What is a solar array? If you hook together a series of solar panels, this is called an array. There are several types of arrays, (pole mounted, roof mounted, or ground mounted) Which do you think would be best in western New York State where we get lots of snow? Answer: Pole Mount. We have roof-mounted solar panels mounted on our roof.
- Are there different types of solar panels? Yes. Mono-Crystalline, Multi-Crystalline, Thin Film, solar shingles, solar laminates
- Can I store my electric and use it at night? Yes. You can store energy (DC electricity) in batteries, just like a car or boat does. If the power in your home goes out you will still have electric. This is called a battery based solar electric system. This is what I have in our house.
- What is series? Kara's and Magin's definition, Is where you take plus and minus, plus and minus, plus and minus, and you end up with a plus and minus, or positive or negative. If one solar panel or battery goes bad the rest will not work.
- Kara's definition of a DC parallel circuit is when you take positive and positive and positive, and negative and negative and negative, and you are left with a positive and negative. If one battery or solar panel in parallel goes bad the rest will still work.
- Photovoltaic's:Turning sunlight into DC electricity
- Battery: Stores DC (Direct Current) for later use
- Battery Bank: Several batteries combined together for more electric power
- DC: Direct Current, (can be stored in batteries for later use)
- AC: Alternating Current, (used in homes and businesses)
- True South: Not the compass south, that is magnetic south!! True south is slightly a few degrees off magnetic south. You will need to know your magnetic declination in order to find true south.
- Series: Positive to Negative and Positive to Negative until you only have a positive and negative connection left .
- Parallel: All positives are tied together and all negatives are tied together (leaving one positive and one negative)
- Solar Cell: Made from Silicone, When exposed to sunlight they produce DC electricity
- Solar Panel: These are made from several solar cells and produce DC voltages
- Solar Array: Arrays are made when combining several solar panels together to produce larger amounts of current.
- Inverter: This device that changes the DC electric produced by the batteries or solar panels to AC, which can be used in a home.
- Charge Controller: A device that regulates the amount of DC current that is flowing to your batteries. (It is like a dam in the water).
Picture of how the sun appears in the sky during the year
As you can see from the picture above the sun appears lower in the horizon in the winter months. In the summer months the sun appears to be higher in the sky. June 21st has the longest hours of sunlight, and December 21st has the shortest amount of sunshine.
Solar power makes a clean environment!
Even Search engine Google promotes responsible clean energy and green technology. Visit this blog and see what they are doing Google solar panels
About us, solar and wind service areas, health safety and environmental, getting started, into letter, process information, pricing and incentives, site survey, renewable books, solar information, solar payback, maintanance and repairs, national solar tour, links, solar hot air systems, solarsheat, cansolair, renewable energy products, wind information, wind turbines, skystream wind turbine, wind turbine information, be energy smart, energy saving tips, lighting, the bupp, photos and testimonials, environmental news, contact us
|
