Solar-assisted Heat Pumps: [Ultimate Guide] Heat pumps are a cost-effective alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, but they can be even more efficient when paired with solar panels. Because solar-assisted heat pumps use solar energy to help power the pump, they can reduce your reliance on grid-supplied electricity, saving you money on your energy … Read more
Everything to know about Pyrheliometers Solar radiation is one of the main sources of energy for the Earth. It doesn’t only give life to plants and make the Earth warm, but it is also used to produce renewable energy. [toc] There are many ways to measure solar radiation and each method has its own benefits … Read more
Everything to know about Pyranometers Solar radiation is the radiant (electromagnetic) energy emitted by the sun. It is the primary energy source for Earth and all life. Because without it, the Earth would be a frozen, dark planet. There are three ranges of the solar spectrum in terms of wavelength. They are ultraviolet radiation, visible … 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
Solar Thermal Cookers: [An Essential Guide] Solar thermal cookers are a simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to cook food using the sun’s energy. In this post, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know about these eco-friendly devices. We’ll teach you what they are, how they work, the different types that are available, … Read more
Concentrated Solar Thermal: A Complete Guide Solar technology has come a long way in recent years, and there are now a number of different solar technologies available. One promising type of solar technology is called concentrated solar thermal. [toc] Concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology uses mirrors to concentrate direct sunlight onto a receiver to produce … Read more