* Smaller appliances such as solar lights & solar mobile phone chargers store the energy collected in rechargeable batteries enabling them to work during darkness.
* Self-contained systems, where no connection to the mains grid is available, charge a deep cycle battery.
* For solar applications, a battery need to be capable of being discharged hundreds or even thousands of times. These Lead Acid, AGM, or GEL batteries are
known as deep cycle or leisure batteries.  

How is the power controlled?

* Often more energy is collected than actually needed so most panels need a voltage regulator to control the flow of energy and prevent battery damage
through over charging or over discharging.
* The voltage regulator prevents damage to the battery by diverting power away once fully charged, or switching off any DC appliances when the battery
voltage falls dangerously low.
* Only a very small solar panel does not need a regulator.

How much power do I need?

* The smallest systems may only require 12 volts, but in bigger systems 230 volts may be needed.
* An inverter is used to transform the low voltage DC generated by the solar panels into mains voltage AC, which can be used to power larger AC appliances,
such as televisions. (A wide range of 12 volt appliances are now readily available).

* Inexhaustible fuel source - fossil fuel is limited!
* No or very low power costs.
* Cost effective - Initial set up costs are soon recuperated by energy efficiency & low maintenance costs. Set up costs for large installations are often eligible
for grants.
* Portable - solar appliances can be used where mains power does not exist, in remote areas it will often be cheaper to install a solar PV system rather than
paying for mains connection.
* Environmentally friendly - no air / noise pollution.
* Long-lasting - life-pans of the systems are high, usually lasting at least 15 to 20 years.
* Versatile - can be used for powering items as diverse as solar boats and satellites.
* Aesthetic - solar panels are usually between 25 mm and 50 mm thick so they can clad a roof or wall without being intrusive or detrimental to the buildings
appearance.

What are the advantages of using solar energy?

How is the power stored?

* Monocrystalline Cells - cut from a single large crystal of silicon
* Polycrystalline Cells - made from a number of crystals
* Amorphous Solar Cells - most often seen in small solar panels, such as those in calculators

There are 3 basic types of solar cell: -

* A solar cell (or photovoltaic cell) generates electricity directly from visible light, converting the light directly into electricity  
* Solar panels may be used singly or wired together to provide more power.
* The number and size of panels needed is determined by the available light and the amount of energy required.
* The amount of power generated by solar cells is determined by the weather and quality of light, therefore in the majority of
cases some form of energy storage is necessary.

How does Solar Power work?

* It is a way of converting sunlight into a useful energy source such as heat or electricity, via a solar panel that ‘collects’ the
light and stores it for later use. It works through light, not heat.

What is Solar Power?

Solar energy is now an established power source used for numerous commercial and domestic applications.

* It is renewable, sustainable and non-polluting
* It is also highly cost-effective

Solar power is not just for committed environmentalists or people with large sums of money, we can all do our bit to help the
environment, by making a few small changes, this is one, which in turn will provide many long term benefits.

SOLAR POWER INFORMATION