PV Gap

Kathryn Said:

how do solar panels make electricity?

We Answered:

Its a bit complicated but essentially the sunlight makes electrons jump around and create energy which is stored and converted for use. (thats not entirely accurate, but all you really need to know).

As far as what you need to know for use, the panels use the sun to create energy. This energy is carried through your wiring to a converter or battery back up system in your home. I highly recommend that you search for a local professional to set this service up for you. Otherwise it can get complicated, costly and you may violate some laws... costing you even more in fines and redoing the system.

Beth Said:

How do you hook up solar panels to your electricity?

We Answered:

how are you going to make your solar panels?
i just did a search, and came up with a couple things.

1) there are several sites that will sell you plans or books.
2) and some real solar panels. the problem is that the power output is very low.

http://www.thesolarplan.com/articles/you… down near the bottom of the page:

"The cell produces 50 microamps at 0.25 volts.
This is 0.0000125 watts (12.5 microwatts).
Don't expect to light light bulbs or charge batteries with this device. It can be used as a light detector or light meter, but it would take acres of them to power your house."

these just do not produce enough power to be useful.
the reason solar panels are expensive is that they use exotic materials, and require very expensive processing to create the panels, in order to get a useful amount of electricity from them.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=make+your…

most of the listings are there to get you to send 'em money.
some promise a refund if they don't work.
good luck getting your money back. it's not going to happen.

last, the inverter, and control to feed power back into the grid are expensive.
the utility gets to control what you can use, and most often you have to buy it from them.
in Calif, the utility has an interest in "good" solar installations.
they provide power during the time of peak demand, so the utility does not have to build/buy the last, most expensive kilowatt.
however, (A) any installation that will be at all useful is large, and expensive, and (B) as with all electronics, next year will be better.
i'll probably do it.
but not yet.

Lois Said:

Do solar panels make electricity or voltage?

We Answered:

It generates electricity in the form of a DC voltage. When you place a load on the panel, you have a DC current. The product of the two is DC power.

Usually the DC is converted to AC by use of an inverter, which supplies 120 volts AC.

.

Kimberly Said:

is there anybody here who owns a house that uses solar panels for electricity?

We Answered:

We used solar power and a bank of used batteries for limited electricity while living in a 5th wheel RV in the mountains of remote Oregon for several years. The magazine HOME POWER, published in S. Oregon gave us many ideas, with articles by people who were off the grid, using solar. If you don't live off the grid, we've been informed, it doesn't pay to use solar.