Q:So I reckon it's time to install some of these bad boys. it's come to point where electricity providers are charging such extortionate amounts that I can definitely see these reaping huge rewards before long. (Okay I might be exaggerating a little - they are pretty costly themselves).The problem is I've read around that they're only fitted to south facing houses? Why so? Why can't they be installed on the rear side of the roof - the side facing the garden? My house is facing north, so the front door leads north. Could I have solar panels installed on the back? (That's basically my question, with a bit of a rant too lol).Cheers.

You want the panels facing south because that is where they would get the most sunlight throughout the day. If your front door is facing north, then the back of your house would be facing south, right? So put them up in the back where they are facing south...haha wtf..

Q:i want to join multiple solar panels into a bank so i only need one length of wire, i am going to use diodes to stop them sending power back into the one before it. is this ok or do i need something else?

It sounds like you intend to put them all in parallel, since you mention blocking diodes. If the panels are all roughly the same voltage, that should work. Mismatched panels will also work, but there may be little to no contribution from the lowest voltage ones if they are severely mismatched.

Q:Can solar panels be installed on bridges or highways?

Yes, solar panels can be installed on bridges or highways. This is known as solar roadways or solar bridges. These panels can generate electricity by harnessing sunlight and can be integrated into the surface of bridges or highways. However, the feasibility and practicality of such installations may vary depending on factors like structural considerations, cost, maintenance, and local regulations.

Q:I want to get a solar panel to run a fan (or two) for swamp coolers.I'm not looking to power 20box fans, just maybe some of those auto fans.What the heck kind of panel do I need? What is a power inverter and what does it do?Will I lose all my power if I use a 00' extension cord?How do I choose what I'm going to need?

Any fan you find in a store is going to expect AC, not DC, which is what solar panels produce. An inverter changes DC to AC. You'll probably want a deep cycle car battery to smooth out overages and underages. Any fan will tell you how many watts it uses. Panels should (i haven't looked) tell you how many watts they produce. Just off hand, I'd guess you're looking at a 2'x4' panel. Considering how much you'll be paying for the rest of the stuff, a good 00' cord is appropriate,. Last, it's worth the experience, but you'll never recover the cost of everything that you'll have to buy. Have fun.

Q:Can solar panels be installed on outdoor event venues?

Yes, solar panels can be installed on outdoor event venues. In fact, outdoor event venues are often ideal locations for solar panel installations as they provide ample sunlight exposure. Installing solar panels can help event venues generate clean and sustainable energy, reducing their reliance on traditional power sources and lowering their carbon footprint.

Q:I recently got into solar panels, I have little background in electronics but I have done a little electrical work in the past and just want to make a small 36 cell panel to power a 2v battery that would run my a small tv (9 inch) and PS3 for a few hours every night. I have been looking up on how to do it before I get in over my head and I have a few questions.... After you solder all of the cells together then what? Do you hook all of the rows of cells together somehow? Can you connect them straight to a battery? After you hook to the battery do you hook up a power inverter to get the 2 AC plugs that would be needed? Thanks in advance for any help....

I'll add a few comments to Teelo's It may not be good to connect the assembled solar cells directly to the battery. When there is no sun I think it will drain the battery. I'm pretty sure all circuits I have seen have a reverse polarity diode in series. (unless Teelo knows for sure). Hmmm Reminds me that I have some bare solar cell elements from when Motorola was making them. I used some to power a small radio controlled car. I do know that all good applications have a regulator to make sure the charging is done properly

Q:Mono-crystalline or poly-crystalline solar panel?

All solar photovoltaics drop in efficiencies with higher temperatures but it isn't the 45+ C you have to worry about but rather the heat from the sunlight striking the panels. There are hybrid systems which passes water in pipes attached to the back of the solar panels to cool the panels and preheat the water for solar thermal collectors. The difference between mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline are that mono-crystalline are more efficient and more costly to make.

Q:Can solar panels be used in areas with frequent thunderstorms?

Yes, solar panels can be used in areas with frequent thunderstorms. While thunderstorms may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency, modern solar panels are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including lightning strikes. Additionally, thunderstorms also bring heavy rainfall, which can help clean the solar panels and improve their performance.

Q:Can solar panels be used in conjunction with a backup generator?

Yes, solar panels can be used in conjunction with a backup generator. This setup is known as a hybrid system. During periods of sunlight, solar panels generate electricity and can power a home or facility. Any excess energy can be stored in batteries or fed back into the grid. When sunlight is insufficient, a backup generator can automatically kick in to provide electricity, ensuring a continuous power supply.

Q:How could I find out what the amp output of a solar panel? Specifically, I want to know how many milliamps can the solar panel on a Casio fx-260 put out?

You need full sunshine from the sun, or a lamp that will give a light spectrum similar to the sun, a volt meter, Milli-amp meter, and a variable resistor of 0 to 000 ohms. The voltmeter test leads go across the solar cell leads. The amp meter leads will be in series with the solar cell. Let's say, positive lead of the solar cell to the the positive lead of the amp meter, the negative lead of the amp meter to one terminal of the variable resistor, and the wiper terminal of the variable resistor to the negative lead of the solar cell. Slowly decrease the value of the resistor until the voltage from the solar cell just begins to drop. Take note of the amp meter reading. This is about the high end range of the solar cell. You might want to begin with a micro-amp meter for the current meter.