The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Published on: 08 October 2019 Last Updated on: 03 September 2024

What comes to mind when someone says “solar?” Typically we think of the sun, the Earth’s fuel provider. What if I were to tell you that we could dramatically reduce our carbon footprint by using the power of the sun to fuel something as simple as outdoor lighting? It’s true! Over 10 million tons of carbon dioxide are produced annually just from residential outdoor lighting alone–that’s no drop in a bucket! The time to reverse the impact of carbon emissions is now, and believe it or not, one of the best ways to significantly reduce our carbon footprint is by using something a little unconventional: solar lighting.

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

A lot of “green initiative” individuals are huge proponents for solar lighting simply because it’s great for the environment. Solar panels knock loose electronics from their interaction from photons striking silicon wafers, which in turn charge a battery to power a light fixture when the sun drops below the horizon. This awesome interaction (named the photovoltaic effect) uses absolutely zero fossil fuels to power lights. There’s nothing to burn nor any power lines that need to be connected. It’s one of the cleanest energy sources available to us. We like to call solar the “new energy revolution.”

Beyond that, solar lighting is a lot cheaper than many people think. The price of a solar panel in the mid-70s was about 76 dollars a watt. Can you guess how much a solar panel price is a today?

In 2013, solar panel prices were about 75 cents a watt. So 1 watt of energy produced by a solar cell costs similar to the change you’ll find under your couch cushions. And now that technology is used in solar panels on top of poles to power light fixtures. It’s a fantastic solution for parking lot and street lighting that saves money and reduces the overall carbon footprint.

Beyond The Green

There’s a lot more in store than you might think with solar lighting. First off, every solar light works independently. There’s no power connection needed, no trenching required, and no costs with using fossil fuels. If the power goes out, so do the lights! That’s not the case with solar lighting. In fact, we’ve seen cases of solar lights holding up during strong hurricane winds to remain on after the storm in contrast to traditional lighting which would need mountains of repair from the high winds ravaging the area.

Secondly, several models of solar lighting are actually portable via a forklift or just two people. They’re fantastic for construction projects where permanently-grounded lights won’t bode well. Solar lighting works great in airports for when power goes out and backup systems fail. Or, if you prefer having the portable option just in case, feel free to go that route. The emphasis is that these lights can go virtually anywhere since they don’t need to be tied to an electrical grid. Just be sure that they have access to the sun–even though the best lighting systems are rated to last over a week on a single charge, the panel won’t cull much power if it sits in the shade of a tree permanently.

Talk of the Town

Solar lighting tends to be a bit of a head-turner. It preserves park beautification and adds a little flair to light fixtures. A lot of media outlets tend to give attention to cities that make green efforts, especially when they’re such a public-facing installation. On top of all the benefits you’ll receive for solar lights, you might get featured in a newspaper or on television for deciding to install solar on your city’s streets. That, in turn, should generate business. Solar is great for publicity.

In Conclusion

Solar lighting is a lot more than just going green. It’s about recognizing that clean power is the way of the future. It’s about preserving what matters to us and ensuring your business or municipality saves as much as possible while getting the job done. If you’re in the market for a new lighting project, consider solar. The savings are there. But don’t take our word for it; do the research yourself and you’ll find it’s the best option to light up the night. Thanks for reading.

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Solar Battery System Types – AC Vs DC-coupled

Before you choose the right solar battery, you first need to learn what AC and DC coupling means. Your solar battery storage system determines how effective your solar air conditioning will be. There are two main ways to connect your power sources when you add battery storage to your solar energy system. AC and DC are the two main types of voltages used to conduct electricity. Let’s find out what differentiates these two battery systems. What is the Difference Between AC and DC Power? AC stands for Alternating Current, and it means electric power first flows in one direction and then the other. This is the type of electric current on the main grid, and it’s suitable for your solar air-con. DC power, on the other hand, stands for Direct current, and it means electricity flows in one direction only. This is the electric power that your solar panels generate from sunlight. The energy stored in your home’s solar battery is usually DC power. Since your solar panels generate DC power and your solar air conditioning and other home appliances need AC power, you need a solar inverter to convert this energy to AC electricity. There are three main types of solar inverters in the market; Traditional Inverters This first type of inverter is also known as the central inverter because it draws power from your solar panels. If you have a solar air conditioner at home, you’ll need this kind of converter to keep it running. It is usually a box that’s installed next to your home’s breaker box. It functions by combining all DC energy from your solar panels and converting it to DC power so that you can use your solar air conditioner Malaysia. Micro-Inverters The second type of inverter is an in-built component on individual solar panels. They are small inverters found on the backside of your panels. They allow your panels to individually and independently convert the harnessed DC power to AC energy. DC-Optimizers Lastly, we have the DC-optimizers that are devices that also go at the back of individual solar panels. Unlike Micro-inverters, they don’t convert DC to AC. Instead, they optimize conditions to ensure your home’s central inverter has an easy time converting DC to AC power. These converters work in a hybrid solar energy system that includes a traditional central inverter and in-built solar panel inverters. Is a Battery DC or AC? Batteries, like solar panels, store and produce DC power. Since your home’s electricity is AC, it means batteries in devices have converters that turn the AC power to DC energy. DC batteries use the same solar inverters that your home uses to convert the stored DC energy to AC power. AC batteries, on the other hand, have an in-built inverter that directly does the conversion. AC Vs DC -Storage Architecture Comparing the strengths and weaknesses of these two battery storage systems helps you choose what is best for your home. DC-Coupled Systems The DC-coupled system is designed to connect directly to the main grid the same way as your solar panels. In which case, a hybrid inverter is required to create a synergy between the solar battery and the solar panels. Strengths There is less energy loss because it’s a one-way conversion. Your system makes you eligible for Net Energy Metering if your solar panels can generate excess energy. It is a simple system which translates to lower costs. It is a smart option for people who’re just beginning their solar energy journey. Weaknesses If you already have a PV system, incorporating it is complex and costly. AC-Coupled Systems The AC-coupled system operates with two solar inverters; a conventional inverter and an additional storage inverter that charges your solar battery. It might seem like a complicated system, but it is very easy to setup. However, as compared to the DC-coupled system, it’s less efficient because it has to be charged. Strengths It is way more flexible than the DC-coupled system. The inclusion of two inverters allows you to adjust the location of the battery at will. It is compatible with all kinds of solar inverters. It is a cost-effective solution for people that already have a PV system. Weaknesses The system is slightly less efficient as compared to the DC-coupled system because of the AC-DC-AC conversion. The system will have more points of failure because you’ll have one inverter in a different location. Which Is Better for your Solar and Storage Needs? If you already have a solar energy system at home, you should go with the AC-coupled system because it’s flexible and easy to set up. However, if you’re just starting your solar journey, you should go with the DC-coupled system; if you generate excess energy, you get to sell it to the main grid. Final Thoughts Understanding the difference between these two solar battery systems helps you make the right purchase. Ensure that you work with a professional who understands what is best for your home. Solar energy systems are here to stay, and you might as well jump on the bandwagon because it’s a system that pays for itself. Read Also: What You Should Know about Solar Energy for Schools Benefits The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell Everything You Need to Know About Portable Solar Power What To Do When Your AC Unit Stops Working Ready Rooftops – How to Install Solar Panels

Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

Summer is done, and you can already see it by the drop in temperatures and the duration of the day. With shorter days also comes the reduced amount of sunlight during a 24 hour period, which worries some solar panel owners. Some people aren’t sure how effective their solar panels will be during the colder period of the year. However, as experts from Action Solar assure us, panels work just fine throughout the year; all you need to do is make sure that you optimize them for the season. Here’s how. Clean Your Panels: No matter how many panels you have, they are exposed to the elements all the time, and naturally, they get dirty. However, solar panels are quite durable and strong, meaning that you don’t need to clean them very often and even when you do, you don’t need to go into too much detail. In fact, if you clean them too often, you might damage them, so it’s better to give them a cursory sweep every month or so and be done with it. Removing debris like leaves and branches are more important than dusting them, as most solar panels only lose about 7% of their effectiveness when dirty, as researchers from the University of California in San Diego found out. Adjust the Tilt: During the summer, the sun falls more directly to the ground, meaning that your solar panels will absorb a lot of the sunlight even without careful positioning. However, as summer transitions into the fall and eventually winter, the sun will shift and the rays will fall in a more tilted angle. So, if you want to use as much of the sunlight as possible, you will need to adjust your panels accordingly. Naturally, you should not do this on your own, but rather invite professionals to do it for you. Not only are they skilled in handling solar panels, but they will be able to calculate the optimal tilt and positioning of your panels. The best solar companies in California recommend realigning your solar panels at least twice a year in order to maximize the productivity of your panel throughout the year and not just in summer. However, if you include the fall and spring adjustment as well, you will be able to actually bring out the maximum from your panels. Deal with the Decreased Output by Saving Energy: During the summer, days are longer and usually sunnier than any other part of the year. That’s great news for your solar panels because they will be able to produce more energy. That being said, you probably spend a lot of electricity just by running your AC all day. In the fall, on the other hand, you don’t need your AC and the days are still relatively long. So, you will be able to produce a lot more energy which you won’t immediately spend. This is the time when you will be able to bring your electricity bill down by a noticeable margin. However, as fall progresses, the days will be shorter, which means that you may need to cut some unnecessary electricity spending if you want your bill to remain low; that is until winter rolls around, and you need to fire up your furnace. The technology behind solar panels is improving every day, and the time when solar panels only used to be productive in the summer are long gone. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Portable Solar Power How To Start Living Off The Grid

Safeguard Your Loved Ones Against the Dangers of Radon Gas

Radon Gas is one extremely harmful elements present in our environment that cannot be seen, is odorless and also tasteless. It is the end result of decaying uranium in the ground that ultimately takes the shape of gas and gets emitted into the air above the ground. Essentially, radon is harmless when it remains outdoors, but after seeping inside any construction it leaves a long-term negative impact. If the required preventive measures aren't taken, the gas gets accumulated at a dangerously high concentration. This radiation is actually the number one cause of lung cancer in the United States for nonsmokers. And overall, it ranks being the number 2 cause of lung cancer in Canada and the US. Therefore, you must protect your family and your loved ones against the terror of this deadly and unseen menace. Radon Testing Testing for radon, including both the DIY and professional support ways, is a pretty easy and straightforward process. 1. DIY Radon Gas Test Kits : The DIY radon gas kits used for short-term testing are charcoal-based where a canister collects the particles of radon present in the air of a particular environment. The exposure period usually ranges from 48 hours to 72 hours. While the kit does its job, you are supposed to follow a few important steps. While testing, make sure to keep all the doors and windows closed for as long as possible. This will allow the apparatus to get the most precise readings. In the end, the entire kit is sealed, a few forms are to be filled and then the user has to courier the complete package back to the (authentic) testing laboratory where the results will be compiled. All the accumulated radon particles will be tested by the experts and a detailed report will be prepared to be sent to the user. DIY Test Kits - Why Should You Buy? These kits are easily available online as well as offline stores. They are very much affordable and a user can test the concentrations himself. Such kits are ideal when you are doubtful about the situation but don't really want to invest a fortune into professional services. Exposure time is also manageable and at the end, you get expert suggestions about the circumstances. There's optimal accuracy maintained and that's what you may even long for! You must also know that if you get precise results only then it will benefit the whole situation. Results that are achieved at the end form the basis for preventive measures that you might have to apply in case of higher concentrations. However, in case the levels appear safe and under the accepted levels, there's nothing else you will have to worry about. Electronic Radon Gas Detectors : These are electronic radon monitors that keep a check on the radon levels in your house. Such detectors are power or battery operated. The results are readily available, without wasting any time you can take the preventive measures and results too can be achieved on the spot. The hassle to courier a package and wait for the results gets avoided as the electric radon gas detector brings out precise readings right after the exposure time ends. Click here to know more about electronic radon monitors Electric Radon Gas Detection Monitors - Why Should You Buy? These devices administer only professional and advanced technology to help you keep the dangerous radon gas away. A radon detector can be useful in both home constructions as well as commercial properties. So, once you have the accurate results, you can take corrective steps to disperse the gas out of your property. On the basis of the readings you get, a radon mitigation plan is to be laid out for your home. And it is only in this manner that you become both an informed citizen of the nation along with being a responsible member of your family as well as the society. You will be able to take the next steps i.e. how to make your home radon-free! Radon Mitigation System When the test results report of any unsafe levels of radon gas inside your home, you will have to address the problem. In fact, address the problem as soon as possible. Contact a specialist or do it yourself if you are confident enough to be able to fix all the loopholes. However, an expert can actually help you in installing the right type of radon mitigation systems. A radon reduction system that cannot perform aptly is of no use. So, depending upon the kind of construction your home has, a multiple numbers of options will easily be made available by the professionals. The most prevalent option is the sub-slab depressurization along with sub-membrane depressurization. It is ideal for homes, basements as well as crawlspaces. 1.Sub Slab Depressurization Method : This method involves the drilling of a hole into the floor of your home's foundation and scooping underneath a slight cavity. A pump is then connected to this drilled out hole to vacuum radon gas before it can even break out and start causing harm to the members in the house. Even the other organic contaminants are pulled out from below to vent out the dangers present in your house. 2. Sub Membrane Depressurization Method : This method is actually similar to the method mentioned above. However, the only difference lies is in the membrane that is installed above the ground as opposed to a cavity being created in the other method. In fact, the membrane is fitted right above the floor of the crawlspace, so the radon gas can easily be trapped and be vented out of the house. The gas is extracted out in a similar manner as above; there just isn't a slab but a membrane. One can consider any of the mentioned ways to get rid of radon gas from your home. But you'll have to ensure that radon must be released at a place where it will not cause any further damage to the people or animals. Radon mitigation isn't a one for all kind of treatment. And every house needs its own tailor-made preventive measures. It may or may not be the job for a DIYer. From targeting the entry points of the radon gas to sealing all those spots, it is a pretty important process. One must have the needed skills, the absolute presence of mind and knowledge to ensure the safety of all the members in the family. If you aren't sure how to go about, contact any professional radon inspector. But, if you are knowledgeable enough to restrict the flow of gas in your property, then go ahead and save your loved ones. Read More : First Home Renovation Ideas And Tips What Are Renewable Sources And How To Introduce Them Into Your Household? Additional Ways To Keep Your Home Warm Image Source: http://cancercarenews.ca/

The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

Beyond The Green

Talk of the Town

In Conclusion

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

What are the Different Types of Industrial Power Solutions?

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

Solar Battery System Types – AC Vs DC-coupled

Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

Safeguard Your Loved Ones Against the Dangers of Radon Gas

The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

Beyond The Green

Talk of the Town

In Conclusion

Share this Article

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

What are the Different Types of Industrial Power Solutions?

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related