Some say that Global Warming is a fact, others say it’s a hoax. But regardless of whether or not Global Warming is a fact, let’s step aside from the arguments on the subject, and take a common-sense approach.

In this article we will take a look at some of the issues involved.

What is Global Warming?

We can take a look at the definition of global warming - without taking sides or getting into vested interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes.

The definition of global warming in its purity is “an overall increase in world temperatures.” As you can see, whether this has to do with greenhouse emissions, or whether it is caused by a natural phenomena, has no bearing on whether there is an average temperature increase.

Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures?

Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists say about world temperatures.

Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, and simply look at whether or not the Earth’s general temperature is rising.

According to NASA scientists, the average temperature of the earth rose by one degree Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual measurements taken with exact measuring instruments.

Another report, which was compiled and submitted by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made the following statement:

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”

These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of studies and reports, in order to come to the above conclusion.

Even scientists who are “opposed” to the global warming theory are not contradicting the fact that the earth’s temperature is rising. These scientists are only saying that global warming is a natural phenomena, and is not caused by man.

The Causes of Global Warming

There are several factors that could contribute to or influence global warming.

Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from escaping from the Earth’s atmosphere. A few examples of greenhouse gases are:

- Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat from escaping earth, by blocking infrared radiation reflected off the Earth’s surface from leaving the atmosphere.

- Methane - A gas produced through the decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and decomposition of food in human and animal digestive systems). It is created by the production and distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion.

- Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced through the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and fossil fuel combustion (cars, trucks, buses, airplanes, and conventional power plants, to name a few).

- Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to as CFC gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, and are used for products such as, styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit boards, and many more.

- Water Vapor - This is a completely natural gas, caused by the sun evaporating water from our oceans.

As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human resources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced by industrial installations.

Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on global warming are water vapors. This fact will no doubt please all critics of the “global warming theory”.

You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will increase the temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, due to the creation of additional water vapor in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figures

Let’s go over some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that these are measurements taken by scientific tools. They are not statements for or against global warming.

- The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has occurred between 1958 and the present day.

- There are two main factors that responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation.

- Methane content in the world’s atmosphere increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by current measurements. The atmospheric methane content is now more than twice as high as it was before the Industrial Age, which started in the early 1800s.

The Effects of Global Warming

I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I am going to spare you the details here. But I do have an opinion on this subject and I will share it with you.

Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it is simply common sense to take care of the environment you live in.

The plain truth of the matter is that carbon monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is no laughing matter.

While the lack of ozone might make for faster tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not as desirable.

What You Can do About Global Warming

Believe it or not, you are important - what you do and say is listened to by others, and does make a difference. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. A little extra care will go a long way. Many are already doing it. All of us need to get on board.

It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving energy where you can, or even planting a tree.

A great way to reduce pollution is the use of solar power. 75% of the average home’s energy consumption is for hot water and heating. The most economical, effective, and inexpensive way of using solar power is through the use of solar heating, and solar hot water heaters. To find out how you can take action against Global Warming (as well as save considerably on your energy bills) visit Solar Hot Water and Home Solar Panels.

Building a solar hot water heater is actually not that hard. Although there are many designs and systems, a few of them are relatively simple. It’s the ideal do-it-yourself project, if you are so inclined.

Here is one of the simplest types of DIY (do-it-yourself) projects for solar hot water heating. But don’t let the term “simple” fool you into thinking that this is not an effective way to reduce your energy bill.

The basic design of a Batch solar hot water heater consists simply of a water tank within an insulated box with a glass top.

It is used to preheat water before it enters your conventional water heater. Thus it cuts down on the amount of conventional energy needed to heat the water up to the required temperature.

But keep in mind, on sunny days a batch heater can eliminate the need for conventional heating entirely. Even on overcast days it can reduce the load on your conventional water heater.

Basic Parts of a Batch Solar Water Heater

Lets define the basic parts you need for your batch solar hot water heater:

A place in the sun - this can be in the yard, garden, up against the wall, etc. It doesn’t matter where, as long as it is able to receive sunlight throughout the day.

- You need a solar collector - This is simply an insulated box with a glazed top or front to let in sunlight.

- Water tank: this is placed inside the solar collector to serve as your water heater. * Some water pipes and fittings - You will need these in order to connect your cold water supply to your conventional heating system.

How to Calculate the Size of Your Batch Solar Water Heater

If you want your heater to work, you will have to calculate your sizes correctly. First of all, we are aiming to get it to heat water to about 110°-120°F on a sunny day.

To ensure that you actually achieve this temperature within a reasonable amount of time you want to take to following into account:

For about every square foot of glazing on the enclosure of your water heater, you will be able to heat about 1-2 gallons of water.

Long narrow tanks are therefore most effective, as they tend to have a larger surface area, allowing for more glazing and thus more solar heating.

Positioning of a Batch Solar Water Heater

Mounting tanks upright or vertically gives you the best result. This is because of stratification (layering of water with higher temperatures at the top) of the water.

Putting your water-out connection at the top of the tank will always give you the hottest possible water if you have positioned your tank vertically.

Insulating Your Solar Water Heater

Mounting tanks upright or vertically gives you the best result. This is because of stratification (layering of water with higher temperatures at the top) of the water. Making your water out connection at the top of the tank will always give you the hottest possible water if you have positioned your tank vertically.

One of the major factors that makes your solar heater work is proper insulation. If you do not properly insulate the enclosure of your water tank, you will lose a lot of the efficiency of your solar hot water heater.

But a well-constructed, well-insulated box with double glazing will serve adequately as your solar collector.

Painting the water tank a dull black color will also assist in heating the water.

The usual position for a batch water heater is on the ground, beside the south wall of your home (unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case you would position it beside the north wall of the house).

Take care to ensure that any pipes leading to and from the heater are insulated, so as to avoid frost damage.

For more information on diy solar power and solar water heaters, visit DIY Solar Power and Solar Hot Water.

But with fuel prices rising, and the value of the dollar decreasing, its about time to start looking at ways to reduce our spending by becoming more energy efficient.

There is one piece of good news: there are actually many easy ways to cut your energy usage, without having to make unwanted sacrifices.

By making some small changes you will be able to reduce your energy consumption by abut 25 percent, and thus reduce your energy bill.

Easy Energy Saving Tips

* Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

* Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to light your home. They use a lot less energy than incandescent light bulbs.

* Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. The dishes will dry just as well, and you will save energy.

* Turn off your computer and its monitor when they aren’t being used. If you feel the need to keep your computer on when you aren’t using it, at least switch the monitor off. It will keep wasting energy even when in standby.

* Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips. When you are not using the equipment turn the power strips off. Equipment in standby mode still consumes energy.

* Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120? F. Aside from saving energy, you reduce risk of scalding.

* Instead of baths, take short showers. This will save both water and energy needed to heat water, unless you are a fan of cold baths.

* Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Washing a half-load will still use a full load’s worth of water and energy.

* Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.

* Keep your car in good working order. Change its filters regularly, and ensure the engine is running smoothly. A properly maintained vehicle will consume less fuel.

* Look for the ENERGY STAR(R) label on home appliances and other devices. Energy Star products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Heating and Cooling Energy Saving Tips

The following are some easy-to-follow tips on heating and cooling your home, which can save you money:

* Clean or replace filters on furnaces, ventilation and air-conditioning systems once a month or as needed.

* Keep warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators clean. It will increase their effectiveness. Also make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes. This will prevent the heat from spreading into the room, forcing your heating system to work much harder than needed. Though this might sound like a simple point, drapes or curtains over hanging your heating system will trap the heat behind your curtains and leave the room barely heated.

* Hot-water radiators will accumulate air inside them, which reduces their effectiveness. Its therefore important to bleed them (let the air out) once or twice per season. This is a very simple procedure, but if you are in doubt about how to do this, call a professional.

* Install heat-resistant reflectors between exterior walls and radiators. This will reduce heat loss and increase the speed that a room is heated.

* Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing. Exhaust fans remove air, and thus hot air, from your home. So leaving an exhaust fan running when it isn’t needed will force you to keep your heating going in order to replace the lost “warm air.”

* During the cold seasons, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day. This will allow sunlight to enter, and will help to heat your home. Close draperies and curtains at night, as this will act as an insulation layer, keeping the cold out.

* During the warm seasons, keep the window coverings closed to prevent the sun from heating your home.

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To learn about solar energy, living green, and energy saving tips, visit How Does Solar Energy Work? and Living Clean.

What is Global Warming?

We can take a look at the definition of global warming - without taking sides or getting into vested interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes.

The definition of global warming in its purity is “an overall increase in world temperatures.” As you can see, whether this has to do with greenhouse emissions, or whether it is caused by a natural phenomena, has no bearing on whether there is an average temperature increase.

Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures?

Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists say about world temperatures.

Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, and simply look at whether or not the Earth’s general temperature is rising.

According to NASA scientists, the average temperature of the earth rose by one degree Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual measurements taken with exact measuring instruments.

Another report, compiled and submitted by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued the following statement:

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”

These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of studies and reports, in order to come to the above conclusion.

Even scientists who are “opposed” to the global warming theory are not contradicting the fact that the earth’s temperature is rising. These scientists are only saying that global warming is a natural phenomena, and is not caused by man.

The Causes of Global Warming There are several factors that could contribute to or influence global warming.

Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from escaping from the Earth’s atmosphere. A few examples of greenhouse gases are:

- Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat from escaping earth, by blocking infrared radiation reflected off the Earth’s surface from leaving the atmosphere.

- Methane - A gas produced through the decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and decomposition of food in human and animal digestive systems). It is created by the production and distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion.

- Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced through the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and fossil fuel combustion (cars, airplanes, and conventional power plants, to name a few).

- Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to as CFC gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, and are used for products such as, styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit boards, and many more.

- Water Vapor - This is completely natural, and is caused by the sun evaporating water from our oceans.

As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human resources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced by industrial installations.

Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on global warming are water vapors. This fact will no doubt please all critics of the “global warming theory”.

You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will increase the temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, due to the creation of additional water vapor in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figures

let’s go over some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that these are measurements taken by scientific tools. They are not statements for or against global warming.

- The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has occurred between 1958 and the present day.

- There are two main factors that responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation.

- Methane content of the atmosphere increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by current measurements. The atmospheric methane content is now more than twice as high as it was before the Industrial Age, which started in the early 1800s.

The Effects of Global Warming

I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I am going to spare you the details here. But I do have an opinion on this subject and I will share it with you.

Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it is simply common sense to take care of the environment you live in.

The plain truth of the matter is that carbon monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is no laughing matter.

While the lack of ozone might make for faster tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not as desirable.

What You Can do About Global Warming

Believe it or not, you are important - what you do and say is listened to by others, and does make a difference.  It doesn’t take a lot of effort.  A little extra care will go a long way. Many are already doing it, and all of us need to get aboard.

It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving energy where you can, or even planting a tree.

————————

A great way to reduce pollution in the environment is the use of solar power. 75% of the energy consumption of the average home is for hot water and heating. The most economical and effective way of using solar power is through the use of solar heating, and solar hot water heaters. Find out more about how you can take action against Global Warming at (as well as save considerably on your energy bills) at Solar Hot Water and Solar Power.

Contrary to popular belief, solar hot water heating is not at all a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.

Due to its low cost and its effectiveness, solar hot water heating gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!

Solar water heating only lost its popularity as a result of lowered electricity rates, and an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida’s solar water heating was brought to halt.

The United States is not the only country with a solar water heating history. There are many other countries where solar water heating was used in the past and has since fallen out of use - but not all of them. In fact, currently more than ten million Japanese households heat their water using solar water heating systems. This is definite proof that it is a workable technology.

Important Facts about Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

* Solar water heating can be used in any climate. Sound unbelievable? Check it out on the U.S. Department of Energy website. They say so as well.

* The fuel used to run a solar water heater is sunshine. And, at the time of this writing, sunshine is free - no tax has been added yet.

* A solar water heater can reduce your water heating bill by 50%-80%. But with energy prices going up, the amount of savings will soon be even higher.

* Aside from reducing your energy bill right now, a solar water heating system will protect you from future energy price increases. Your heating will no longer rely on fossil fuels for electricity.

* When building a new home, or when refinancing, the economic aspect of this becomes even more interesting.

You can, for instance, include the cost of a solar water heater with a new thirty-year mortgage package. This would usually add up to about $13.00 -$20.00 a month. Federal income tax deductions for mortgage interest would reduce the payment for the solar water heater by about $3.00 -$5.00 per month.

If your fuel savings with a solar water heating system is $15.00 or more per month (which it likely will be) you will have reduced your monthly heating bill right then and there.

* Solar water heating will significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and reduce the demand for fossil fuels which pollute the environment.

* Solar heaters can be installed in combination with backup systems. In fact, you could install a solar water heater next to your existing system and make it possible switch to conventional water heating whenever necessary. This way you are guaranteed always to have hot water.

-Types of Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

There are two types of solar water heating systems, active solar water heating systems and passive solar water heating systems. They both work on the same principles.

The only difference is that active systems have a pump or other mechanical means of moving the water through the solar heating systems, and passive systems rely on nature’s principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water sinks to the bottom. With a passive solar water heating system, the water storage tank must therefore always be positioned above the solar water heater collector.

- Active Solar Hot Water Heating

There are two main designs of active water heating systems. Which one is best for you depends on the climate you live in.

There is what’s called an “indirect circulation system” which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for colder climates.

There is also the direct circulation system, where water is simply passed through solar heat collector and then routed to the water storage tank for use. This system works fine in milder climates.

- Passive Solar Hot Water Heating

Passive solar water heating systems are usually cheaper than “active solar water heating systems,” as they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the water.

But generally, they are not as effective as the active systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water heating system might be all you need. Passive water heating systems are also known for being very reliable.

Essentially, solar water heating systems consist of a water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar collectors are used to collect solar energy which heats water, and the tanks store the heated water. That’s all there is to it.

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Find out the important facts to consider when getting a solar hot water heater, and where to get good quality solar hot water heaters, at Solar Hot Water Heaters.

With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy - such as heating or electricity.

Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.

But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.

- Environmental Facts about Solar Energy

All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.

Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.

Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar regions.

Every part of the United States receives sufficient sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.

The cheapest and most effective method of utilizing solar energy in your home is currently the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, for over one hundred years, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States.

Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, for decades now, solar heating has been in use several cold-climate northern European countries.

Solar energy technology has advanced far enough that it can be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.

Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity - so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.

- Facts about Solar Energy Usage

Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.

Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. In fact, many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are heated with solar energy.

Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.

A few examples are: solar battery chargers,  solar radios, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar-powered attic fans, solar-powered backpacks (which recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, cameras, and more), solar-powered garden lights … and much, much more.

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To find more information about solar energy, and to get a full understanding of solar power devices, see Facts about Solar Energy and Portable Solar Power.

Although most people are under the impression that the field of photovoltaics is a new subject, based on recent invention, this is not actually the case. But first of all lets take a look at what “photovoltaic” means.

The word “photovoltaics” can be split up in to two parts: “photo” and “voltaic”. The term “photo” is derived from the Greek word “phos” which means “light.” A “volt” is a measurement unit for electrical force. So, literally, “photovoltaic” means “electricity through light.” And that is exactly what the word means: “capturing solar energy in the form of light and converting it into electricity.”

So how do we convert sunlight into solar energy and electricity?

In order to convert sunlight into electricity you need to use a material called a “semiconductor”.

In simple terms, a semiconductor is a material that acts as an insulator, but is also capable of conducting electricity under certain conditions. We employ the characteristics of semiconductors when we convert solar energy (in the form of sunlight) into electricity. It is done as follows:

When a semiconductor (such as silicon) is exposed to sunlight, it releases small amounts of electrical energy. This is due to the process of electrons (bits of electricity) leaving the surface of the semiconductor, in response to being hit by light. We call this the “photoelectric effect.”

Sunlight is made up of “photons”, which are particles of solar energy. Not all photons are the same and not all carry the same amount of energy. The simplest explanation I can think of for this is that light comes in many colors - some forms of light are visible to the eye, and some are invisible (such as infrared or ultraviolet light). But, regardless of color or visibility, the fact remains that light is still light and the basic particle of light is still a photon.

When a photon hits a photovoltaic cell (also called a “PV cell” for short) one of three things occurs:

1. The photon can be reflected by the photovoltaic cell

2. The photon can be absorbed by the photovoltaic cell

3. Or (believe it or not) the photon can even pass right the photovoltaic cell. Only the photons which are absorbed by the photovoltaic cell are converted into solar energy (in the form of electricity).

When a photon is absorbed by the semiconductor (the material in the photovoltaic cell which produces electricity) the solar energy of the photon is passed to an electron in one of the atoms of the semiconductor. With this additional energy the electron is able to break away from its atom. Thus an electrical current is established.

This is the simplicity of what occurs in a photoelectric cell, when sunlight is converted into electricity. The electricity so produced can now be power an electrical device.

As you can see, the field of photovoltaics consists of the technology and the principles we use to convert solar energy into a usable form.

- Photovoltaic Systems

Now that we know what a photovoltaic cell is and how it works, lets take this a step further and take a look at what a photovoltaic system is.

A photovoltaic system has consists of the following components:

- A “photovoltaic module”, or “pv module”. This is a group of photovoltaic cells connected together, commonly referred to as a solar panel, though the terms “PV module” and “solar charger” are used to describe it as well.

- One or more batteries to collect and store the solar energy, which was converted into electricity by the PV modules (or solar panels, solar chargers, or whatever you choose to call them).

- A “charge controller”. This an electrical device which prevents the batteries from being ruined through overcharging, and which also prevents electrical current from flowing back out of the battery into the PV module or solar panel.

- “An inverter.”  An inverter an electrical device which changes the electricity produced by the PV modules into alternating current. Alternating current is the type of electricity you get from your wall sockets at home. An inverter is only used with PV systems when you want to produce alternating current as your end result. If you run your house on solar energy, the inverter is installed between the batteries and the fuse panel.

A good quality PV system will operate for more than twenty years. The PV module, having no moving parts, has an expected lifetime exceeding thirty years. Most system problems occur due to poor or sloppy installation.

So how much electricity does a photovoltaic system generate?

The average PV system will generate about 180 kilowatt-hours per square meter, in most areas of the United States.

A PV system rated at 1 kilowatt will produce 1800 kilowatt hours per year.

In case you are not clear on what a “kilowatt-hour” is, this is a way of measuring the amount of electricity produced or consumed.

Let me put it in monetary terms, which might be easier to understand. Many PV panels are guaranteed to last twenty years or more - most even claim to last thirty years. Even if we factor in the natural loss of efficiency in the PV modules over a period of twenty to thirty years, a PV system will generate close to 36,000 Kilowatt-hours in twenty years and 54,000 kilowatt hours over thirty years.

This is the equivalent of $10,000 worth of electricity at current energy prices.

Therefore, though initial installation of a PV system might seem a little costly, in the long run it is far cheaper to run on solar energy.

There are different types and sizes of solar panels (photovoltaic cells) which produce varying amounts of solar power.

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Anna owns a website on Solar Battery Chargers . This site is dedicated to helping visitors understand solar energy and portable solar power devices, while assisting them to choose the correct portable solar device for their needs. Anna is also the webmaster of Living Clean, which is dedicated to helping others understand how we can live with fewer toxins in our lives and in our environments.

The term “photo” derives from the Greek word for “light,” and the term “voltaic” comes from the word “volt” which means “electrical force.” A “cell” is a small receptacle or container containing electrodes which generate power.

Thus, a photovoltaic cell is a container that creates electric force, through light.

Whereas a solar cell can generate electricity from any light source, its intended use is the collection of solar energy from the sun.

- How a Solar Cell Works

The solar cell works as follows:

Photons (which are particles of light in sun rays) hit the surface of the solar cell and are absorbed a semiconductor, such as silicon.

These photons (bits of sunlight) knock electrons loose from the atoms inside the semiconductor. The photons then push the electrons along, leaving a “gap” in the atom. Another electron is then pulled from an adjacent atom to fill the gap. And so an electrical flow is generated.

The simplicity of this is that one atom has an extra electron, and the other atom is missing one. This is referred to as a “difference in potential.” Nature, wanting to remain balanced, tries to even things out by pulling another electron from the neighboring atom.

A solar panel is made up of a group of solar cells linked together to produce the desired amount of electrical energy.

A group of solar cells linked together can also be referred to as a “module.” Thus the terms “solar panel,” and “solar module,” are synonymous to each other, and essentially mean the exact same thing. “Solar panel” is the more common term, and “solar module” is the technical term.

One can use solar panels individually or one can link several together in order to generate more electricity. When a group of solar panels are linked together, it is called a “solar array”. The more solar panels are included in a solar array, the more power they produce.

Solar Power is a clean energy source which is virtually unlimited. I say “virtually unlimited” because the sun itself won’t last forever. But we won’t have to worry about that for the next few billion years.

Since solar power is a clean energy source which has been around for decades, one might wonder why its not used more. The answer to this lies partially in the cost of producing solar panels, as well as in the efficiency of the solar panels.

We are currently in the second generation of solar panel technology and verging on the third. A lot has changed since the first generation. Solar panels a are becoming a viable source of clean energy.

The first solar cells were relatively large and bulky compared to our current models. In view of the amount of energy and material required to produce them, and the amount of energy they actually produced, it was more costly to use solar energy than to use fossil fuels. The only exception was in places where no fossil fuels were available, such as in space.

With the second-generation solar cells, we attempted to tackle this exact problem. We attempted improve manufacturing techniques so as to reduce the costs, materials and energy needed for the production of solar cells.

Recently, major advances have been made in the production of solar cells, which have reduced production costs.

One contribution in this area was the development of techniques to coat glass or ceramic materials with very thin layers of semi-conductive substances. This made it possible to produce solar panels using only a fraction of the semi-conductive material that was required earlier. The production of solar panels using this second-generation technology is referred to as “Thin Film Technology.”

Third-generation solar energy technologies are currently being researched and developed. The objective is to improve the power of solar cells even further (while keeping production costs to a minimum) in which case thirty to sixty percent of the sunlight hitting the panels will be converted into electricity. (Current solar panels only convert about twenty percent.)

But regardless of third generation solar technology, the second-generation solar cell is efficient enough to make solar technology viable - and a host of new solar-powered products have hit the consumer market.

Solar-powered calculators have been around for a while now, we’ve all seen them. We have even seen a few other novelty devices. But only in the last few years have solar devices come into serious and practical use.

The last two years in particular have seen a virtual explosion of solar devices hitting the market. Solar flashlights (I’ve often wandered what use they were), solar-powered radios, and, recently, solar battery chargers.

One can also now find a wide range of portable solar chargers and panels, which are lightweight and easy to transport, yet capable of providing a decent amount of power in even the most remote locations. Solar chargers are becoming a standard part of emergency preparedness kits and wilderness survival kits.

All of this is a result of the developments in solar cell technology, and the coming of the Solar Age.

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Anna is the webmaster of Portable Solar Power and Solar Chargers and Living Clean.

What exactly is a plug-n-play solar charger?  It is usually simply a solar panel combined with a battery pack, which is sold as a unit.  It is capable of collecting solar energy and storing it in a battery. That’s all there is to it.

The feature that makes this type of set-up so useful is that you can use it to power or recharge your electrical devices, laptops, power tools, radios or even TVs, from the battery pack.  The solar power and battery pack are sold together - so you don’t have to worry about compatibility, cables, watts, voltages, or anything like that.  And you don’t have to wonder whether the setup will work or not.

By using the battery pack, instead of trying to power your equipment directly from a solar panel, you ensure that you have a steady flow of power or electricity flowing into your equipment.  Even on a sunny day there can always be some clouds.  When they move in front of the sun it there would be a decrease of solar energy being picked up by the panels, which would momentarily reduce the amount of electricity being produced by your solar charger.  But if your equipment is connected to a battery pack (which is in turn connected to a solar panel) the battery would take up the momentary slack in solar energy.

There are other advantages to using plug-n-play solar charger kits, i addition to their steady flows of electricity.  Because of the fact that the solar panels charge the battery pack, you will be able to make use of solar energy at any time, night or day, regardless of weather conditions or available sunlight.  You simply make sure the solar charger is charging during daylight hours.  You then use the battery to charge your laptop, cell-phone, iPod (or whatever else you need to charge) during the night, while you are sleeping.

Many people think solar panels and solar chargers only work in hot climates.  Not true.  Solar panels collect solar energy far more efficiently when they are cold.  Thus, they actually operate more efficiently in colder temperatures.  This fact makes them perfectly suitable for just about any climate.  All you need is daylight.

There are some factors you will need to take into account with such a solar charger setup:

1. Whether or not the battery pack is capable of powering the device you want to power

2. How long it takes for the solar panel to fully charge your battery pack.

Once you know that, you can decide whether you have found the right solar charger setup for you or not.

There are now a wide variety of  ready-to-go, plug-n-play solar charger systems and do-it-yourself packages available, to suit anyone’s needs.  They are used for small portable power units,cell phones, camera batteries, iPods, and laptops, etc.  They are also used for larger systems which give remote or emergency power for AC and DC appliances such as radios, small TVs, cabin lighting and much, much more.

Plug-n-play devices and do-it-yourself kits are a great way to get started using solar energy at an affordable price.  They bypass the need for advanced knowledge in electronics, and keep things simple.

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This article is written by Anna Stone, the webmaster of Portable Solar Power  where you can find further information on solar battery chargers, portable solar panels, and similar devices. For more information on Plug ‘n Play Solar Chargers, see Plug ‘n Play Solar Chargers.

Advancements in technology have reduced the sizes and weights of solar panels, while increasing their efficiency.  This allows for small lightweight portable solar chargers to be produced.  Another factor which plays a part in the rapidly expanding field of portable solar power, is the increased amount of electronic gadgets that we carry around.

Twenty years ago there were not many people walking around with cell phones.  Today, a cell phone, iPod or MP3 player, and a digital camera tend to be the least that carry around with us - either on a daily basis, or during our time off or when going on a trip.

With all these electronic gadgets comes the need for electricity and power.  And thus solar chargers have found their niche.

There are several advantages to solar chargers and portable solar panels.  First of all, they are eco/environment-friendly.  They don’t produce harmful waste, and can be used anytime and anywhere that there is daylight.

Many people think that solar chargers can only be used in warm sunny areas.  This is not necessarily true.  Solar panels are more effective in colder temperatures.  As a matter of fact, a solar charger or panel would create more electricity on a clear day in Alaska, than it would in the sun of the Mohave dessert. This is because the temperature of the solar panel influences the effectiveness with which it can convert solar energy into electrical energy.

The above fact, combined with the increased effectiveness of solar panels, has made solar chargers an attractive method of powering or recharging small electronic gadgets.

These days, a small solar battery charger can run your cell phone, iPod, or MP3 Player.  It can recharge your digital camera and it can be used to recharge batteries.

Some solar chargers, such as the Solio Charger, even come with internal batteries which are automatically charged when the solar charger is exposed to daylight - allowing you to recharge your cell phone or other electronic device from the solar charger, later on.  Solar chargers with built-in batteries commonly store enough power to recharge your cell phone twice, or to run an MP3 player or iPod for many hours. A digital camera can also be fully recharged by one of these devices.

Solar chargers are starting to be a part of many standard emergency kits.  They are a reliable source of power so long as there is daylight available.

Solar chargers are a convenient source of power in remote areas, on field trips, or when out hiking and camping.  They can recharge batteries, cell phones, or other gadgets in any location.

In addition to being convenient, solar chargers are  a clean energy source and do not cause pollution or other harmful emissions while creating electricity. They also reduce the need for disposable batteries, and thus reduce the overall volume of harmful chemicals and toxic waste in circulation on the planet.

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Anna Stone supports clean energy and a cleaner environment.  Find out more about solar battery chargers, at Anna’s website, at http://www.findportablesolarpower.com/batterycharger.html
For more information about the Brunton Solar Charger, see http://www.findportablesolarpower.com/batterycharger/bruntonsolarcharger.html