solaradvisor How Long Will a 100-Watt Solar Panel Take to Charge a 12V Battery? To calculate how long a 100-Watt solar panel will take to charge a 12V battery, we need to know the battery’s capacity in amp-hours (Ah). Let’s assume the battery capacity is X Ah. First, we’ll calculate the current output of the solar … Read more
Tidal Energy: All You Need to Know The pursuit of non-polluting renewable energy sources has led to increasing interest in the energy potential of our seas and oceans. There are a variety of different technologies (thermal, wave, offshore wind, ocean current energy) have been developed to harness the energy in large water bodies. However, tidal … Read more
Geothermal Energy: Renewable or Not? Renewable energy is energy that is a clean, sustainable form of energy that comes from natural resources. There are many different types of renewable energy including solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power. [toc] These energy sources are derived from natural processes like sunrises and sunsets, pressure differentials between high … Read more
Everything to Know About Geothermal Energy The energy we need is right under our feet. Because, our earth is a giant, heat-producing machine. In fact, the earth’s core is hotter than the sun’s surface. The energy in the earth’s core is far greater than we could ever hope to tap into. If we can effectively … Read more
Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors (Ultimate Guide) Imagine generating electricity on a massive scale by harnessing the power of the sun. Parabolic trough solar collectors offer a solution to this challenge as they are the most mature and promising concentrated solar power (CSP) technology available today. In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you on a journey … Read more
Are Solar Panels Waterproof? Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. In order to do this, they need to be in an open area with as much exposure to the sun as possible. This also means that they will be exposed to the elements. One of the most important elements that they need to be protected … Read more
Solar array mismatch losses: What are they, How to prevent them? A PV array is made up of a number of PV modules that are connected in series and/or parallel. These modules ideally would have the same characteristics (e.g. Voc, Isc, Imp, Vmp, and Pmax). However, in real life, PV modules are not perfectly matched. … Read more
How Much Area is Required for a 1 kW Rooftop Solar PV System? A 1 kW rooftop solar PV system requires approximately 100 ft2 of shadow-free area. The estimation accounts for leaving some space between the modules, mounting hardware clearance, and the inverter installation as well. So the actual PV module array will occupy only … Read more
MPPT vs PWM Solar Charge Controller: What’s the Difference? The charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from the solar array to the battery bank. It ensures the batteries are not overcharged during the day and prevents them from being discharged at night. Some charge controllers come with extra capabilities such as lightning and load … Read more
Solar Panels in a Blackout: Can You Use Them? Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells. They will produce power including during a blackout provided there is sunlight. However, on-grid (grid-tied) systems will not be able to export or receive electricity from the grid during a blackout. This is a safety measure … Read more