Probably the best departure point for answering this interesting question is to define exactly what a solar generator is. This is important because, in many people’s minds, a generator can…
Technical
27 Articles
When installing a solar fountain pump, correctly sizing the fountain pump is one of the first of several important considerations. If the pump is incorrectly sized, the results will be…
Mains-fed electric fountain pumps may do the job well, but they use a lot of electric energy. Particularly if they run 24/7. A cheaper, and certainly greener solution, is to…
Stand-alone solar lights should switch on at dusk and off again at dawn. At least that’s what they are supposed to do. Sometimes that doesn’t work out though, and a…
Outdoor lights use a solar cell to collect sunlight. The energy is stored in batteries then converts sunlight to electricity to illuminate the light at night. Solar lights have a…
Blackout and brownout are terms associated with electricity. More or less, they are similar in a way but with several significant differences. While a brownout is a temporary reduction of…
Solar panel manufacturers currently use a rather complicated process that can be simplified somewhat. First, manufacturers create silicon from silicon dioxides such as Quartzite or silica sand using a purification…
You can build a permanent DIY, 3-acre solar-powered electric fence can with basic technical skills in under a week. And depending on whether you opt for a custom or off-the-shelf…
Solar-powered drip irrigation can be installed in most gardens using a small solar system, readily available irrigation materials, and minimal tools. If you already have a home solar system, it…
Converting high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp posts to solar fittings requires removing the existing light fitting. A suitable solar lamp post light fitting installs in its place to complete the conversion….
Solar panels specifications can seem like they are written in another language, but they aren’t that complicated. Not only are the terms easy to understand, but many solar panel specifications…
Net Metering is a program where solar panel owners can “sell” electricity back to the grid or power company. It is normally computed as net metering credits rather than actual…
MPPT charge controllers can harness optimal performance from any solar array under a wide range of conditions, while PWM controllers are limited in their scope of application. Put, against the…
Solar power, gas generators, and car batteries are three of the few ways to get electricity while camping. But while they can all be your camping power source, their efficiency,…
To adequately light any flagpole carrying the US flag is best achieved by using existing ambient lighting or strategically placed spot, flood, or integral pole-mounted lights such as pole-top or…
Considering how popular they are, one might think that electric heat pump pool heaters, electric resistance heaters, and gas pool heaters are the only ways to heat a pool. However,…
The main difference between pure sine wave inverter vs. modified sine models is that the pure sine wave inverter outputs closely resemble AC mains power and are suitable for all…
Generally, a quick way to size the attic venting capacity or CFM of the solar attic fan you need for your attic space is to multiply the floor area or…
Although you may think it’s a tall order, you can build a DIY solar pool heater using irrigation tubing and fittings, framing lumber, and basic tools and expertise, all in…
Attic fans work primarily by augmenting the movement of hot air rising out of the attic. They do this by transmitting the mechanical energy (kinetic energy) from their rotation to…
From bad batteries and panels to faulty sensors and low sunlight, there are numerous reasons your solar lights may stop working. However, this doesn’t mean they have lost their entire…
An “off the shelf” kit to convert outdoor light to solar power can save you time and fuss, but doing it yourself will save you money and ensure a system…
Solitude? Check. Idyllic landscape? Check. But does your RV have enough solar power to run an air conditioner? Maybe not! The lack of a comfortable temperature inside your rig can…
So, you think sizing an MPPT charge controller is hard? A job reserved for guys in horn-rimmed glasses and lab coats. Well, think again. Sizing a charge controller actually nowhere…
The solar panels vs. generators controversy for camping aren’t novel. It doesn’t mean you have to forgo comforts like your air conditioner, phone, microwave, or even your coffee machine as…
Testing solar panels is a fairly straightforward process, requiring few tools and little to no expertise. But one single false step or wrong connection can turn this ostensibly simple task…
There is one major issue with solar lights that anyone who uses them will encounter eventually. The question of how to charge solar lights without sun is always in the…
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