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{Video} Solar Power 101 – how does sunlight turn into electricity

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Please sign the Declaration of Endependence at www.endependence.info/declaration . Short and concise explanation of solar photovoltaic systems. How do they work? Do I need batteries? Produced by the on-line local action network, Endependence.info. Show us how you are saving energy. We’ll copy your great ideas. Energy independence, we can’t do it alone, but we can do it together.

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24 Responses to {Video} Solar Power 101 – how does sunlight turn into electricity

  1. tabovilla

    great video!

    the only problem is the graph at 0:55, where it states that AC power goes from the inverter to the Batteries. Batteries are charged via DC.

  2. SolarPanelGuide

    The main skill needed for this kind of D.I.Y. project is soldering.

  3. sfortuna

    You CAN install panels on two sides of a building but the sides facing south or SSE get the most direct sunlight, therefore will be much more efficient. In the Northern hemisphere, panels facing NORTH are almost useless, but panels facing Southwest or Southeast CAN be up to 95% as efficient as due south, especially if you tilt the panels to be perpendicular to the sun’s highest point in the sky – aka ‘solar noon’.

  4. SupportTheBlind

    When installing solar panels on the roof of a house, can it be done on both sides instead of just one? Please reply.
    I working on a project for physics class.

  5. builtSOLARPANEL

    Yes, I built own solar panels system…It was very easy for me…

  6. innterru

    интересно, какая удельная стоимость таких солнечных панелей в рублей/ватт?

  7. scientificallygreene

    Hey, check out my website at ScientificallyGreener(Dot) com and get all the new and improved Equipments to build or buy your own solar and wind energy systems ScientificallyGreener(Dot) com is a website that sells the most modern environmental products available

  8. DIYSOLARPANELS

    learn how to build cheap solar panels from my channel

  9. TheAkb10

    Be smart – don’t pay any more electricity bills. more info: solar.xfollow.me (Copy to your browser’s address bar)

  10. earthlovesit

    Nice video

  11. emo5derf

    Everybody is all for it. I hope the price can come down to 2.50 per watt, otherwise the rich will get “richer” and the poor get “poorer” in terms of energy costs. But it will all help, when anyone buys solar, there will be “grid power” available without brownouts.

  12. Profoodnetwork

    Way to go Endependence -

  13. frankendependence

    Hey,
    Sorry it took so long to reply.

    If you are going to be off grid, you don’t need an inverter. Solar panels generate DC current which is the same type of power in a battery or a motorhome.

    You need something called a charge controller, but the purpose of an inverter is to change DC power to AC power to run the normal AC current devices in your home or business. If you are going to be 100% off-grid, you will need to use batteries and DC appliances and devices.

  14. tech33012

    Got a question:
    Is there’s a big inverter that i can use for home if i want to off grid

  15. frankendependence

    There are modern inverters (such as those built by Outback) that incorporate battery charging technology “in the box”. You are correct that you need DC power to charge batteries. Off grid systems which rely on batteries often require DC appliances and lighting (like those found in motorhomes). Solar power inverters are quickly making solar photovoltaics plug and play for almost any circumstance.
    In a grid tied system, batteries are seldom used these days. They are for backup power only

  16. tyroonblackfire

    Solar Power very good thing and more people should probably try a

    Although may as well point out that you cannot charge a battery/s with AC current, unlike this video suggests. Ever you would have to have it before the converter maybe in a similar fusion to a UPS or a second converter to change it back to DC just to charge the battery/s and that would be next to pointless.

  17. Bladecrimson

    When the Photo Voltaic cells are configured into a charging-battery bank system and inverted, it is possible to store energy and achieve high-amperage hours output beyond 100amps!

  18. mikejmcc1970

    I am a carpenter on the North side of Chicago for some very wealthy people, you would be surprised just how inefficient solorvotaic cells are. A house that can accommodate 500 square feet on its southern facing roofs, houses much bigger than normal would be lucky if it generated 30 amps. To keep this in perspective the average persons house is run on a 100 amp service, and batteries are not much better. Hopefully with rising fuel cost moneys will finally be allocated for effective research.

  19. beesbop

    True, but isn’t the real cost of the damage to all life on the planet. A coal fired power station is being built each week, even if we all go solar, they will choke the planet and we will supply them with the coal to do it.

  20. inetTVchannel

    Our office is powering by Whisper turbine Need to say: wind is difficult energy, even strong wind will not produce enough energy to supply ALL our demands, we USED TO have. The fact is that people now consume TOO MUCH energy. Example: Home windturbine will work all night at good wind to supply you with energy, that will be consumed by coffee machine, to boil and warm coffee for some hours! WE NEED TO SAVE ENERGY ALSO!
    Saving even 20%, we JUST now achieve the goal to have 20% gr. en. by 2020!

  21. frankendependence

    Good point, cost is important.

    The real problem with the cost of solar is that it is not a level playing field. Coal power is incredibly cheap in dollars, very expensive in environmental costs (what the economists call externalities).

    If we are truly going to commit to energy independence, the costs have to be recalibrated to account for the long range benefits. It will take people, businesses and government working together to end dependence on polluting energy sources.

  22. zobelon

    Cost is a very important part of the system too. As much as the inverter :)

  23. rruper15

    exelent video, whats the price of a solar system for a house of 4 people, Thanks

  24. Pingback: Podcast – Ron Lee, Director of Campus Recreation, University of … | Educational Kentucky

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