Use Solar Electrical Power to Energize your Devices

Using solar electric power is not the same as using solar power that can create heat. This is where a bit of confusion begins when explaining solar power. People have seen the ability of solar power to charge small calculators and wonder why the same principal is not used in running their homes with solar electrical power.

What is the Difference?

A small calculator or other similar item, such as solar electrical power sidewalk lights, have a small collector attached to the base but do not possess the same type of PV panel that is placed on your roof. Solar electrical power is not compatible with the low voltage that is used as direct current that powers a home. The massive voltage from the sun needs to be converted into 6 to 24 volts in order to be transferred to plug-ins, appliances and heat sources.

Heat Sources using Solar Electrical Power

An entirely different principle is used when producing hot fluids or air using solar electrical power. Solar thermal principles apply in this case as opposed to photovoltaic principles used in solar panels.

Components of Solar Electrical Power

When you use small solar electrical power items, the sun charges a small battery for a limited amount of time, similar to passive solar power. The components of solar electrical power that is used to provide stored electricity require four different items to work effectively.

Solar panels, charge controller, inverter and battery are all necessities to create a flow of power to save and use when you need. Solar panels charge the battery and the charge regulator provides the proper amount of charging for the battery. The battery puts out DC voltage into the inverter, which in turn, changes the voltage to AC that is used for the solar electrical power in your home.

There are many remarkable ways that you can use solar electrical power without installing solar panels on your roof but remember that there are different components in the make up of these systems. Lately, however, there have been companies that are making outdoor lights and cameras with transformers and inverters built in so that they are able to store the sunlight for longer periods of time.

Although the cost is still high for these types of solar electrical power items, the newness will wear off, the market will become saturated with more manufacturers and the price will decrease.

Using the sun for solar electrical power is not a new notion but one that has not been popular in use. As more firms become creative in promoting solar power, more exciting solar electrical power products will become available.

Do not be surprised to one day see small appliances with the ability to utilize the sun in a solar electrical power way.