Q:There is a charge controller that has what i believe to be only port for a solar/ wind turbine control panel and i don't know if it has more than port for panels. So would i be abed to link 2 panels to port or do you think the controller has more than portBTW it is for marine use.

Solar panels are like batteries, hook them up in series and you increased the voltage, hook them up in parallel and you increased the current. You should review your first year physics notes on the matter.

Q:I know that there is a life expectancy for solar panels, and I suppose, the technology involved. Any information?

This Site Might Help You. RE: how long do roof solar panels last? I know that there is a life expectancy for solar panels, and I suppose, the technology involved. Any information?

Q:Do solar panels require direct sunlight to generate electricity?

No, solar panels do not require direct sunlight to generate electricity. They can still generate power even in cloudy or overcast conditions, although the amount of electricity produced may be reduced.

Q:What is the difference between Photovoltaic Panels and Solar Panels?

Solar panels collect energy from the sun and then provide it to a system that typically concentrates it. Solar energy comes to us in the form of heat and light. Photovoltaic panels take the light energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Although the maximum efficiency is around 42% in the lab most commercial models you will see are from 8 to 22% efficient. Adding collectors together concentrates this energy into usable amounts. Solar thermal panels are from 60 to 80% efficient. They come in many different types and collect the heat energy from the sun. That heat may then be stored in some form of thermal mass where it becomes concentrated sufficiently to be used. Solar thermal panels can be used to heat a medium. This can be a phase change material, air, or water. Solar thermal air panels are cheap to make and offer a quick pay back period. Solar thermal panels for some heating and hot water systems circulate water. Vacuum tube collectors are solar thermal panels that may heat water directly or a phase change materials. They can operate better in cloudy and colder weather with more efficiency. Air and water panels are often called flat panels as a way to contrast them with vacuum tube collectors. Solar thermal panels often lead to some form of energy storage called thermal mass (water tanks, phase change materials, masonry walls and rocks.) Photovoltaic panels make electricity that is stored in batteries, used or sent to the general grid. Panels are only one way to collect solar thermal energy. Other types of collectors are used commercially and are often called simply solar concentrators. Some are called parabolic trough collectors and parabolic dish collectors.

Q:I want to install solar panels in my roof and most installers don't recommend any particular brand. Do you have experience with any particular brand that has worked for you or anybody you know? Does the brand of the panel make a difference?

Mitsubishi panels have served us well for 3 years so far, no problems. Kyocera had a well-known problem many years ago, but they lived up to the warranty and replaced defective panels. Their current products are considred good. I like the value delivered by Suntech panels. Might be a best buy - shop around. I have not heard about any of the major brands having trouble, lately. If you're intending to connect to the grid, be cautious about used or blemished panels. While they might work fine, they usually are ineligible for rebates.

Q:Well, I am looking for a cheap way on building a solar panel, instead of buying by the manufacturing stores. I would like to stay in the budget up to ,000 dollars. I want to have Solar Energy for my house because the sun is always shining. Is there a way I can make the Light power some of my house? What would I need? How much time would it take?Where can I get the items I need?

The panels themselves- no. Minimal. For most it is just hosing them off with water as needed to remove dust. Battereis on the other hand are usually needing attention every week to maintain the electrolyte levels. The exception being AGM types. Periodic desulphating may be needed on older setups, but beyond that keeping chickens are more demanding. Batteries are how you store your energy for periods when demand exceeds what the panels can deliver, and at night. How many varies. Factors of how you use energy has most impact. Some people can get by with a few hundred Watts, for others 3 to 5 Kilowatts are needed. For the average American, 5 to 7 Kilowatts as a minimum without some serious changes to how energy is used.

Q:Can solar panels be used in areas with high levels of wind-blown debris?

Yes, solar panels can be used in areas with high levels of wind-blown debris. However, it is important to install the panels in a way that minimizes the impact of the debris. This can be achieved by using protective measures such as installing wind deflectors or choosing panels with stronger frames and tempered glass. Regular maintenance and cleaning may also be required to ensure optimal performance in such conditions.

Q:I need to know how solar photovoltaic panels work. Anyone have a good explanation?

Hey E Girl, photovoltiac panels are pretty simple. They start with a solid block of silicone, and shave thin layers off of them, called wafers. Once you have about 72 of them, you take half of them and dope them with boron, then the other half are doped with phosphorous. Once that's done, they take one each phosphorous and boron wafer, and glue them together with a special conductive epoxy glue, and attach a wire to each wafer. When the two glued wafers are exposed to the sun, a reaction occurs that forces free electrons from the silicone particles from one wafer onto the other, and a voltage is generated between them, about /2 volt to be exact. Once all 36 pairs are glued together, they are wired in series, connecting the phosphourous wafer from one to the boron wafer on the next, and so on. If you start with 72 wafers, you'll have 36 pairs glued together when you are done. At /2 volt each, that makes a 8 volt panel, which is used to charge a 2 volt battery. The charging source always has to have a few more volts than the battery. These 36 pairs of cells are then arranged on some kind of back board, glued down, covered with acrylic glass and mounted in a frame. There are some great websites you can go to for more info, I will list some below. Did you know that there are over 00,000 homes and businesses in the US alone that use some level of solar power to operate their electrical systems? That's good news. We actually live in one of those homes, it is powered by both the wind and sun and heated with solar and wood. I hope this answers your question, good luck, and take care, Rudydoo

Q:Why might energy from the solar panels sometimes be near zero even in the summer?

Solar panels are a little like batteries or christmas lights, they are often connected in series, if something is wrong in a string of them, current simply won't flow just like how all the lights in some christmas lights go out if one bulb goes out and you have to find the bad bulb by replacing bulbs one at a time.

Q:Can solar panels be installed on flat surfaces?

Yes, solar panels can be installed on flat surfaces. However, it is more common to install them on angled surfaces such as rooftops or mounting structures to maximize their efficiency and exposure to sunlight.