Solar Equipment

Solar-Powered 'Smart' Roads Could Zap Snow, Ice

2011-01-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

CNN - The mayors of New York and Atlanta, Georgia, suffered stinging criticism for their handling of recent winter storms, but in the near future, technology could clear city streets of ice and snow -- by simply melting it away.

America's harsh winters cost the nation's economy billions of dollars each year in snow removal equipment, weather damage to streets and vehicles, extra days of school and revenue lost to closed businesses.

Scott Brusaw, a 53-year-old electrical engineer in tiny Sagle, Idaho, thinks he has a solution. So far, he's generated interest from the federal government and General Electric in his idea for a solar-powered roadway made from super-strong glass, instead of conventional asphalt or concrete.

"I'm looking out the window now at about a foot of snow, so if we can make it work here, we can make it work anywhere in the country," Brusaw said. "I'm hoping this spring we'll start laying the foundation for it right outside our building here."

Cars and pedestrians fight icy roads Solar cells inside its glass surface would allow the roadway to act as a giant solar power generator, fueling embedded heating elements and making plows and other snow removal equipment unnecessary.

The heating elements would work "like in the rear window of your car," said the inventor, who intends to experiment with temperature settings during the next stages of the development process.

Electricity generated by the highway could be used to recharge electric vehicles and to power lights and LED warning signs along the road itself.

In fact, Brusaw believes that solar roadways -- if widely accepted -- could eventually generate clean electricity around the world, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and saving the planet from global climate change.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/01/19/smart.roads/?hpt=Sbin

Solar Camera Strap Keeps You Shooting

2010-08-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Solar Camera Strap

Avoid dead camera batteries by putting a strip of solar panels on your camera strap. Simple, and rather clever, right? That’s exactly what Weng Jie’s Solar Camera Strap does, although in coming up with the design he forgot an important point: you can’t charge batteries while they are in the camera.

While some cameras come with charging docks or have their chargers built in so you just have to plug in a cable, most require a separate charger into which you pop the battery: a far better solution which doesn’t put your camera out of action as it juices up. Weng’s device runs the power generated by the strap into the camera’s DC-in socket via cable. This would let you use the camera as long as the light is bright, but there’d be no buffer if the Sun were to dip behind a cloud (there are a pair of batteries within the strap, but that’s not really ideal).

Still, those are mere details. Give me a way to use my camera all day without having to worry about running out of power and you’d have my cash. If you ever sell this strap, Weng, get in touch. And please, please make it in a darker color so it doesn’t pick up my neck-dirt.

Source: www.wired.com

Solar Camera Strap

Solar Television - Brings TV to Anywhere the Sun Shines

2010-08-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Solar Television

As part of Sharp's recent efforts to shove itself to the forefront of solar innovation, the company is showcasing a prototype of a 26-inch LCD Aquos TV that can be powered entirely by the sun. Now even the 1.6 billion people on earth without electricity won't have an excuse to miss the next season of Lost.

The set has a contrast ratio of 10000:1 and a 20mm thick display panel. It requires about 30% less power than regular LCD TVs and gets its juice from one of Sharp's triple-junction thin-film solar cell modules. The modules are about the same size as the television's screen.

Sharp plans to market the LCD and the energy system as a pair and says that its product could be a hit with both people living off the grid and environmentally-conscious consumers.

Solar Television

Solar Powered Desalinator

2010-08-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

Solar powered desalinators are designed to take advantage of the latest breed of photo-voltaic cells which economically generate electrical power directly from Sunlight and the latest reverse osmosis membrane desalination technology which minimizes power consumption.

Solar powered desalinators are extremely compact in size and they can boast a big volume of output. They are also ideal for one or two homes, or for restaurants and tourist stations located on the coast or an island. Beside that they are also suitable for yachts and fishing boats and as a portable, emergency drinking water supply in case of tsunami, hurricane, or similar natural disaster in the coastal region. For coastal communities, island resorts, off-shore oil-rigs and for other municipal applications are very recommended to use this solar powered desalinators.

These solar powered desalinators easily support total domestic water needs of 4 - 90 people, or drinking water needs of 80 - 1,800 people inhabiting yachts, coastal and island communities, resorts, pipeline installations, off-shore rigs, military bases etc., wherever the supply of fresh water is scarce, but seawater is abundantly available.

HOW SOLAR POWERED DESALINATION WORKS ?

1. Solar electric panels convert solar radiation to electric power

2. Using solar electric power, reverse osmosis seawater desalinator converts seawater into drinking water

3. Drinking water is stored in a tank from which it is distributed to house or to community

Source: www.bluspr.com

New Solar Charger for Laptop Computers

2010-07-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

Solar Laptop Charger

Now we can have a green charger for our computers and laptops. We can take our laptops to outdoors and keep on using them without bothering that the charge will run out. Muzatch offers a solar charger for our computers. It is known as the MZH-SP-6500 / SP-6000 renewable energy charger. If one is traveling long distance in a car, or going on a business trip or in the wilderness and needs emergency power for laptop, this solar charger will come handy.

Muzatch claims that their solar charger can charge 95% of the digital products currently available in the market. You can plug in this solar charger into mobile phone, PDA, DC, digital camera, digital learning machine, MP3, MP4 and PSP game, mobile DVD players. This solar charger can be compatible with ASUS, HP, Acer Travelmate Series, Compaq Prosignia Series, ThinkPad 1410/1411.1441/1450/1451/1472/730T /350/500/510 Series, Compaq Armada 100/4100/4200, Contura Series, Toshiba 4090XDVD/2545CDS Series T Series and many digital products:

Muzatch reassures that they have a built-in lithium-ion battery. Its capacity is of 12,000 mAh. Muzatch “solar charger can deliver an output voltage ranging from 5V to 22V”. This solar charger is also protected from over charge, over release, over current and short circuits due to built-in intelligence monitoring. Muzatch solar charger is available for $149.95.

When we use a completely new product, as a user we experience certain kind of tension and uneasiness. Here the manufacturer can step in and come out with information user is seeking to assure the readers. Muzatch solar charger manufacturer explains that their product is made up of highest quality lithium ion electricity core-300. They also say that their charging and discharging capacity is more than 90%.

Their product is sound on the portability front too. They offer personalized design; the single manual pressed key makes using the charger more simple.

Solar Laptop Charger

Solar Atomic Watch

2010-07-07T23:22:00.001-07:00

Solar Atomic Watch

The line of Solar Atomic Watch features the revolutionary time-keeping technology, as well as Tough Solar Power that recharges itself through direct sunlight or even artificial lights along with other practical functions and features you will ever need in your watch such as the World Time, automatic calendar, altimeter, barometer, compass, Power saving function, Auto EL Backlight, Water resistant, Shock Proof and many more!

Casio Solar Atomic Watches are highly ideal for those people who are always on the go, whether they are playing sports, traveling, camping, biking, trekking, mountain climbing, island hopping and so on. These watches are able to withstand even the toughest condition. Casio has a good reputation in terms of the quality of their watches. So when you are looking for a perfect timepiece that is durable, versatile and performs many functions, then you can never go wrong with Casio Solar Atomic Watches.

Solar Atomic Watch

Solar Cell Phone Charger, Mobile Power

2010-06-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Solar Cell Phone Charger

In today’s world, almost everyone would feel lost and useless without a cell phone. There is nothing worse than having a dead battery on your phone when you need to make an urgent call. It is in this light that a solar cell phone charger comes in very handy. This is a charger that can be used to recharge the battery of a cell phone, Ipod or MP3 player by simply using energy from the sun.

It has solar cells that convert sun rays to electric current. Most Solar Cell Phone Charger are foldable. It simply works by opening up the charger and putting it out in the sun. The solar cells will then collect the rays of the sun and convert them to energy, which is used to charge the battery or stored in the back up battery for later use.

Solar Cell Phone Charger

How is Solar Trickle Charger Works?

2010-06-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Solar Trickle Charger

Few things can be as frustrating as turning on your car’s starter key, on for it to fail to have the desire effect, on account of your car’s battery having gotten mysteriously depleted. And the worst thing about this kind of scenario is that it tends to occur just when you have absolutely no time to spare. But thanks to the Solar Trickle Charger, you have a way of ensuring that you don’t ever find yourself in the frustrating situation where your car battery goes dead at the worst possible times.

The way the Solar Trickle Charger works is to check your car battery’s natural discharge tendencies as well as an ‘unnatural’ electrical leaks from the car’s battery, so that you don’t ever find yourself in the predicament where your car’s battery fails you when you need it most. This is something the Solar Trickle Charger does using energy from the sun, which translates into zero maintenance costs. And this is not something which only works when the sun is shinning strong, as many ’solar’ appliances do. On the contrary, the Solar Trickle Charger is based on modern solar technology, making it possible for the charger to use the little sunlight available even on the cloudiest of days to keep your car’s battery in top form.

Solar Trickle Charger

What is Solar Trickle Charger?

2010-06-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

Solar Trickle Charger

When it comes to today’s power sources, the improved technology of solar powered machines and equipment leaves little excuse not to opt for the latest models. They now offer improved consistency to help you stay powered and avoid any costly let downs in power. One of the latest items to get a revamp is the solar trickle charger. There are several different models sizes to choose from that allow you to keep your most important pieces powered and ready to run.

This solar trickle charger can actually help maintain a fully charged vehicle battery. Among the more powerful models are those that feature 5 watts (350mA) of power which works to help you prevent the voltage drain of your batteries which can naturally occur over the life of your vehicle’s battery. Not only can it help prevent voltage drain, solar trickle charger can also help your battery stay charged. And although it servers a robust role, the connection process is made to be very simple with the help of a cigarette lighter adapter and a alligator clips for multiple convenient options to connect and power up.

You can also get some even more flexible use from this item and use it to power minor electronics such as mobile phone chargers, pumps, motors and roadside assistance equipment.

You can look for models that feature durable plastic housing which will help them stand up to a wide range of conditions. Additionally, you can find models that feature a permanent mounting system for added convenience.

Solar Trickle Charger

How to Repair Solar Fence Charger

2010-06-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

Solar Fence Charger

It is good to be well-prepared and be sure that all necessary precautions has been taken before you begin to work for repairing on your solar fence charger. The works could be very dangerous thing if the safety precautions in fixing it been neglected. You should have enough tools and materials prior to start the repairing works such as Galvanized Copper, Ground Rod Clamp, Ground Rods, Wire Connectors and Clamps.

Step 1 – Repair

Indentify what is and which part of the solar fence charger that you are tries to repair. It is because you will need to isolate the problem and see what you can do about fixing it while disturbing as little as you can from the rest of the fence. The best way is you need to get all of your panels exposed in the sunlight at the same time. Once you have this you will need to use your multi tester on your panels.

Step 2 – Wiring

You will need to get to your wiring to fix it. You may be able to get to the wiring that is in between each of the cells. If this does not work, you may want to try getting to the wiring that is at the complete opposite end of your solar fence charger’s panel. Do this by cutting into the panel backing.

Step 3 – Installation

You will need to install the pieces of the solar fence charger’s panels that you had to repair. Before you begin, you will need to be sure that the controller is completely grounded. You will be able to ground this with the help of a ground rod. It will need to be connected to the fence controller electrically. Using about six foot of galvanized ground rod, you will need to be sure that it is installed about twenty feet from the actual fence controller. The ground rod will need to be attached to the ground wire, do this with a ground rod clamp.

Step 4 – Connections

You will need to be sure that you make the best connections possible. In order to do this, you will need to use not only wire clamps but wire connectors as well. Make sure that you have the right splices for the job or it will take away from the power on your fence.

If at any time you begin to feel like you cannot handle this task then you should consult a professional. You will be putting yourself and others at risk if you attempt this task and are not comfortable or prepared for it. Make sure that you understand all of the safety procedures that are necessary. You will need to have a good and basic understanding about this type of fence and what the procedure to fix it will entail. If you do not feel like you are able to do this then you should not. Ask for assistance from a more qualified person or simply hire a professional. Solar fence charger can be very dangerous if they are not properly installed or cared for.

Source: DoItYourself.com

Solar Fence Charger

Solar Fence Charger

2010-06-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Solar Fence Charger

While the benefits of an electric fence are well-known, solar powered electric fences aren’t seen very often. However, the solar-powered electric fence is a great alternative to the generic electric fence. Usually, solar energy comes with a list of negatives, and isn’t worth it for most people, but solar electric fence chargers nullify almost all of these. They’re also very easy and fairly inexpensive to set up, and the fence that goes along with it doesn’t work any differently than any other regular electric fence. The only real difference with a solar model is that you’ll never have to charge it or plug it in again.

The biggest flaw with solar energy in general is that it only exists on sunny days. But solar electric fence chargers usually come with a rechargeable battery. The battery is charged with the solar energy, and when the sun isn’t out, the fence draws the power it needs from the battery instead. These batteries can last up to a couple weeks or so, which helps to ensure that the fence still works, even when there are a few cloudy days in a row. As solar equipment goes, this is one of the models with the least potential drawbacks.

The other problem with solar power is that appliances that use it are generally much more expensive. This is still somewhat of a problem. If you’re getting a solar charger with a battery attached, you can expect to pay about double the cost that you’d normally pay for an electric fence charger. But you shouldn’t have to replace your entire fence to hook up a solar charger too it. As long as your fence’s wattage matches with the solar charger, and the fence takes DC power (the kind normally found in houses), your current fence should function fine.

As to whether that double price is worth it, it depends. Financially, you probably won’t make up the difference in what you save in power bills, although that might effectively take $20 or so off of the price tag. The remainder depends on whether you think the added convenience of solar power is worth it. The convenient aspect is that you’ll never have to worry about plugging it in or short circuiting or charging the battery. So essentially, you can install the solar charger and never worry about it again. Is that enough to justify spending an extra $100 or so to charge a fence? Probably not, but if you have a hard time finding a way to get an electric charge, I may be the only reasonable choice.

It’s not easy to find a solar electrical fence charger. That said, any place that sells electrical fences should be able to at least point you in the right direction for one. If you haven’t bought a fence yet, make sure you find a good spot to put the charger in, one that gets the most sunlight possible. You’ll need to plan your fence around it so that it will get the most power possible. If you’re looking to get a solar charger for your fence, make sure such a spot exists along the lining of the fence, and then check your fence’s wattage so that you know how much power you’ll need.

Most solar powered appliances sell based on saving money in the long term. Solar electric fence chargers don’t stand much of a chance at that, making them the rare solar appliance that sells on convenience. That’s a heavy advantage in its favor, but the deciding factor will honestly be whether your budget can stomach the additional $100 or so that a solar charger is likely to cost.

Solar Fence Charger

The Advantages of Solar Shingles and Solar Panels

2010-05-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Solar Shingles

Solar energy with photovoltaic technologies is a new popular source of energy that bring renewable energy to your home. Currently, there are two famous types of photovoltaic technologies that supply the solar energy by the same way. It is solar shingles and solar panels. Before you make a decision to have it, there are a few things to consider when choosing between them. Each of them have their own advantages and is better suited to a certain type of structure. Belows are some prerequisites for you to consider prior to make your choices.

What is Solar shingles required prior to it?:

First, your roof must aimed at the sun and the second, your roof must have substrait to avoid and handle when getting hot. These disadvantages can rule out certain weakly angled (or flat) roofs as well as roofs with improper air circulation. Your roof structure should meets the requirements prior to install the solar shingles.

Beside the disadvantages, solar shingles also have some advantages. After your roof completely installed with solar shingles, they look just like a roof, no bulky panels/mounts and nice looking way to get some green energy into your house. They also not only provide you solar power energy, but they actually protect your house from the elements.

Solar panels also have their own advantages. It is almost popular than solar shingles due to solar panels are more bigger and cheaper to install. An adjustable tracks also allow solar panels to go on roofs of various slopes. Solar panels can be easy to remove and relocated without buying a new roof. The tracks of the solar panels can help angle towards the sun if your roof facing the wrong direction. These advantages became a major factor to remain the photovoltaic technology of choice for commercial roofs or existing structures that want to go green without spending too much cost.

Solar Shingles

Solar Shingles

2010-05-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

Shingles, generally considered as traditional roofing material, have undergone a lot of change since their earliest use. Solar shingles are perhaps the ideal example in which science and technology have smoothly blended with tradition. They can easily be termed as a path breaking invention in the roofing industry.

Over the years, shingles have been used as roofing material that will protect a building from the elements. But solar shingles that usually look like common asphalt shingles move much beyond providing mere protection. They make the roof a healthy source of electricity. They come in attractive designs and colors and guarantee a low electricity bill for the owner. They are usually available in smaller shapes than most other variety of shingles because manufacturers and owners do not want to give an obvious idea that a gadget has really been installed on the roof. The electric power that is generated is absolutely pollution free, and the durable shingles usually come with fabulous manufacturer warranties.

Solar shingles are undoubtedly expensive, but once installed, they prove to be an amazing investment for the owner since they increase his property value to a great extent.

Usually installed over heavy felt sheeting, solar shingles bond together with sunlight and form a protective sheath on the roof. Electric wires are intrinsically linked with the whole system, but it is important for prospective buyers to realize that there are no risks of electricity leak, shocks, or similar mishaps. The electric wires are beautifully embedded in the system and do not disturb the aesthetic symmetry of a building.

Buyers are of course advised to do sufficient market research before going in for the ultimate investment. Installation is quite hassle-free and manuals are always readily available. Professionals should always be consulted for an attractive and safe finish. It is, after all, a major investment issue for the buyer.

Article Source

Advantage of Solar Cell Phone Charger

2010-05-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Solar Cell Phone Charger

One advantage of this Solar Cell Phone Charger is its light weight and portability. It weighs less than three ounces and can be carried anywhere, as it is small enough to fit in your pocket. This gives you convenience in using the charger, wherever the need arises. This could even be out on the beach!

Another advantage of Solar Cell Phone Charger is that it will cost the user nothing to charge the phone. Once the Solar Cell Phone Charger is placed out in the sun, the phone battery will be charged and no expenses will be incurred. Since the Solar Cell Phone Charger comes with multiple power connectors, the charger can be used to charge more than one device at a time. This not only saves on expenses, but time as well.

The energy that the Solar Cell Phone Charger uses is harnessed from the direct rays from the sun and it does not give off any residue that may harm the environment. This makes the charger both environment-friendly and more reliable to the user.

Solar Cell Phone Charger

Information About Solar Cell Phone Charger

2010-05-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Solar Cell Phone Charger

Solar cell phone chargers are getting more popular but many are still often a little pricey. We can shave a few dollars off the price tag and create our very own solar gadget charger in just a few easy steps.

Solar cell phone charger is one of the alternatives way to recharge our cell phone battery. Generally, our battery can worked fine if we charged the cell phone in about 3 hours so long as the sun kept shining.

Solar cell phone charger is very important in case of emergency especially during unavailable of electricity power. Its just need a little soldering is all it takes to make this cool little emergency cell phone charger. And keep it in the glove box of your car, in case you ever get stranded in the woods and start to hear banjo music.

A lot of people make the solar cell phone charger by themselves. We might be able to find the mini solar panels at a store that sells science or electronics equipment or order them online. In order to make our own solar cell phone charger, we have to cut the wire on the cell phone charger. So, we should have a other cell phone charger as a back up in case of failure.

Duration of the power is depends on the solar cell phone charger itself and of course the cell phone/battery in question. However, most of the solar cell phone charger will give about 20-30 minutes talk time per hour of daylight it’s charged with.

Solar Cell Phone Charger

Solar Attic Fan: How It Works?

2010-05-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

Solar Attic Fan

Solar Attic Fan is powered by the sun and the sun only. It is also increases fresh air circulation which reduces vapor builds up generated by everyday activities like showering and cooking. A solar attic fan works pretty much like you'd expect it to. The fan itself is installed near the ridge of your home's roof, and is then connected to a set of low powered photovoltaic solar cells that provide the fan with enough electricity to get the fan spinning when the sun is shining.

A solar attic fan uses photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electrical power. The electricity generated is used to turn a fan motor, exhausting air from the attic of a home.

How it works?

A Solar Attic Fan, converts the solar energy to electrical energy, stores it and drives a motor which in turn drives the vanes of the fan to generate air, exhaust or intake. During the day, when there is solar power, (sunny day), the solar energy (rays) from the sun is stored for night consumption. (Energy saving). That is the real purpose of a Solar Attic Fan.

The attic becomes warmest when the sun is the strongest. A Solar Attic Fan runs the hardest when the sun is strongest. Everyday home activities such as cooking and showering create moisture which collects in the attic and promotes mold and mildew growth, reduces the effectiveness of insulation, and attacks the wooden attic structure. Year round fresh air circulation from a Solar Attic Fan removes this moisture and prevents moisture related problems.

Solar Attic Fan

Solar Attic Fan is Right For Your Roof

2010-05-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

Solar Attic Fan

Heat rises. That's a fact. As there is no higher place in your house than the attic. In the summer, your Solar Attic Fan can become a sweltering cauldron of painful heat. A lot of people just close off their attic, fill it with junk and forget it about. Not the most effective use of the space. Plus, all that hot air at the top of your house will raise your electric bills. Air-conditioning a space like that isn't a great option, energywise. You may consider venting it with a Solar Attic Fan?

A Solar Attic Fan sits on the top of your house and vents your attic air, and it is powered completely by the sun. It doesn't add to your energy bill, and it doesn't contribute to climate change. In fact, because your house is cooler in the summer, you'll be using less energy. A Solar Attic Fan also reduces moisture build up, prevents ice dams from forming in the winter and extends the life of your shingles. Not only will this nifty gizmo lower your utility bill, it will protect the quality of your home.

They are not without a downside, however. Many of these solar attic fans don’t store energy, so if it’s cloudy and muggy day, your Solar Attic Fan will go unventilated. Some attic vents supposedly turn off if a single cloud flies overhead. And they are disallowed in some high-hurricane areas, because they cause a structural weak spot in the roof. (Weak compared to a hurricane.)

The biggest downside is that they cost a few hundred dollars each and you need one attic fan per 150 square feet of attic space if you want your Solar Attic Fan to be properly ventilated. That's a quite a bit of dough.

Solar Attic Fan