Wouldn’t it be better to reform what we currently have than to spend the money to try and transition from gas and oil to other alternatives?

To me, green energy seems like pie in the sky. It’s a nice idea in theory, but I don’t think we could ever efficiently put it into practice.

It should be intended to compliment what we have now, not replace it.

Do you have any idea how many windmills it would take to replace one conventional coal fired power plant?

Hello all and thank you for helping!

I’m building a solar panel with solar cells from ebay and I wanted to know what supplies will I need other than 1.Solar Cells 2.Soldering Gun 3.Solder 4.Flux Pen 5.Tabbing 6.Tabbing Wire 7.Bus Wire 8. Materials for the frame 9.12 Volt Batteries

What kind of power inverter do I need if I’m trying to charge 12 Volt Car Batteries? I need these supplies to be-able to handle a moderate amount of power because I want to keep adding on cells to my panel. I pretty much know how to make the panel but what all do I need to connect the home built Solar Panel to the batteries? I’m willing to spend around $500.00 to $800 for all the parts total a side from the solar cells. I have 140 3×6 cells I should be buying another 60 and want to make a panels that will charge car batteries. I need to know what parts and equipment I will need aside from the solar panels to to charge them. Equipment that that tells me how much power is flowing and if the batteries are charged are not. Thank you all for viewing my question I am very appreciative to all who help and answer.
-John

the wattage of your power converter will depend on how much power you want to be able to use at any given time. buy one as big as you can afford, you could always add another converter in parallel later if the first one you buy isn’t big enough. the power converter will be used to convert the 12 volts from the batteries into 120 volts to power light, etc. solor panels should produce 12 volts and basically directly connect to the batteries.

Hi i am looking to install solar panels for my home but would like to try and do it on my own to save a bit of money…
But I keep reading the term "panel photovoltaic" or "photovoltaic panel" I don’t know what this means, could someone give me some advice.

Hi Tas, A Photovoltaic panel is the individual collector, or cell, electrically connected. They form photovoltaic modules, better known as a solar panel. The photovoltaic panel is arranged in arrays, or many panels fitted together in a grid.

Now I feel smart.. In basic terms panel photovoltaic means solar panel..

I went to this site http://build-your-own-solarpanels.com

It will give you a better understand of solar power works.. Hope this helps

Solar cells convert the energy of incoming light to electric energy; a good quality cell operates at an efficiency of 15%. Each person in the United States uses energy (for lighting, heating, transportation, etc.) at an average rate of 11 kilowatts . Although sunlight varies with season and time of day, solar energy falls on the United States at an average intensity of 200 W/m^2.

Assuming you live in an average location, what total solar-cell area would you need to provide all of your energy needs with energy from the sun?

The correct rate is 11kWhr per day. 11kw would be a horrendous amount of power.(maybe Al Gore uses it at this rate)

I will calc it at your rate for problem sake. (this is not real life by the way, there are lots more variables, length of day, etc)

200W/m^2 * 15% = 30w/meter

11kw / 30w/meter = 366m^2

On a side note I think mastering physics is a crappy program, made for lazy physics teacher that dont ever care about application of knowledge.

Photosynthesis is used by plants and a semiconductor-based solar cell both harness solar energy. what are three ways these two systems are similar and three ways they are different?

Also what is Thermodynamics and how does it apply to each system?

Same
Absorb solar energy
Transform into useful from
Best oreinted perpendicular to suns rays

Different
chemical vs electrical
self produced vs factory produced
ridged vs fexable

http://www.aurorapower.net/alternative-energy/solar-electric.aspx
http://hyperphysics.info/?cx=partner-pub-6503468025187103%3Akxag2b-tx0r&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=thermodynamics

I highly recommend using hyperphysics.info search for all your physics related homework.

Cheers!

I am very interested in making solar panels in Karachi, Pakistan. But cant figure out where i get solar cells? If there is some DIY methods please tell me.

you do google search and contact the companies which manufactures solar panel..or contact an expert in this field..