Solar Energy » solar energy systems

Solar energy systems are vulnerable to weather?

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:39:29 +0000

If yes, why?

Yes- because the panels are converting sunlight to other forms of power.

Anything that difuses that light, obstructs it of filters it will reduce the conversion of energy because there is less energy there. This is true of passive systems, active heat systems and PV arrays.

On a cloudy day I only see a temperature rise in my greenhouse of about 5 degreesF, on a bright sunny day, it can be 70 degrees F inside with the outdoor temps being around 0 degrees F.

Where can I find the solution manual for Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems?

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:03:14 +0000

I have been assigned a TA for solar engineering class. I am looking for the solution manual for Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems. Can anyone please help me locate this or know of someone I can contact? Thank you. … Continue reading →

Where can I find funds for solar energy & electric vehicles start up business?

admin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:53:04 +0000

Executive Summary
Soletev is a new business providing high-quality, full service distribution of solar systems, electric vehicles, electric charge stations and energy storage, specialty solar energy and electric vehicles-related supplies to off grid solar systems to home & business users & electric vehicles with electric charge stations throughout Southern California & SE Asia markets.
The principal owners are Tung Vo and Hanh Nguyen, whose combined experience brings office management, high levels of customer service, and over 20 years in marketing and sales management. At this time we are seeking additional equity capital to compliment our own investment and are seeking to arrange a bank line for working capital and receivables financing. We have firm commitments to distribute several high-quality new age off grid solar systems, energy storage, electric vehicles & charge EV stations, and have verbal commitments from independent distributors & wholesalers throughout the Southern California & SE Asia to carry our products. We currently have three solar system modules; M-24-00, M-24-01 & M-24-02 and two electric scooters in our branch office in Tan Phu, Vietnam for the demonstration of their functionalities. We plan to distribute our first products within 90-180 days of finalizing financials arrangements.
Sales projections for Soletev are estimated to begin at approximately $3,904,360 the first year, increasing to approximately $7,808,720 in Year 2 and approximately $11,713,080 in Year 3. Our net profit is projected at approximately $780,872 the first year, increasing to $2,342,616 by the end of the third year of operation. This based on a 20% net profit margin.
Distinguishing characteristics of our business will be the combination of management experience, sales and distribution networking relation in SE Asia, high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service. In particular, what really sets up apart is that we are the ONLY exclusive distribution company for MCV of San Diego, BYD of Southern California, SI of Shanghai, China & ZEV Corporation of West Virginia for Southern California & SE Asia distributing solar systems, solar energy storage, electric vehicles and electric charge stations. In addition, Soletev is going to partner with Minh Anh Corporation & Thuy Tien Group to manufacture our own high end but very affordable all electric scooters for Vietnam market using US high quality specs.

1.1 Objectives
•To open and operate a successful distribution company for solar technologies including solar systems, solar energy storage, electric vehicles charge stations and all electric vehicles in the Southern California and SE Asia market
•To employing eight to fifteen employees the first year.
•To obtain at least 1 main distributor and/or 1 wholesaler for one of the 6 countries; USA, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia & Philippines the first year of operation.
•Sell a minimum of 300 solar systems,120 e-scooters, 2 energy storage & 4 EV stations.
•Achieve first year sales of $3,904,360 and maintain gross profit margin of 20%.
•To produce a net profit of at least $780,872 by the end of the first year of operation.
•To break even end of first year of operation & maintain 20% net profit margin thereafter.

Venture capitalists.
Banks.
US Small Business Administration. (US government) http://www.sba.gov/
You might try also the California Department of Commerce. They might have some contacts to individuals, ventrure capitalists who have wanted to cultivate business in the state, or potentially grants or tax exemptions as well. Start here: www.ca.gov Then go through the departments such as Secretary of State’s office for corporate registration, and the department of commerce.

It looks like you have the essentials to provide a sound business plan presentable to any of the first three entities mentioned, and the fourth might seek more information, or they may be adequately informed from your summary to direct you accordingly.

How does Temperature affect the function of a charge controller in a Solar energy system?

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:00:24 +0000

I’m looking specifically at the charge controller within a solar system as part of an assignment, i’ve covered everything but the charge controller now and I’m struggling to find out how it acts under temperature alone

Hey Harry, Billruss is correct. Most batteries are engineered to work optimally at some certain temperature. Car batteries are set up for 77 degrees F. As the temperature of the cells is reduced, the internal resistance to the flow of electricity and movement of the sulfate from the lead plates back into the liquid sulfuric acid bath occurs at a higher voltage. In most cases, this is not a huge problem. A car charges its battery the entire time it is running, so even if the charge rate drops, there is plenty of time to finish the job. This anomally became more important with the advent of solar electric panels, because all the charging had to be done during peak sun hours, so wasting some of the time of day waiting for a reaction to occur was not desireable. Many charge controller manufacturers today offer optional remote temperature sensors with their products that tell the controller what temperature the battery is at, and the controller can then tailor the charge voltage accordingly.

In many solar/battery installations, an effort is made to locate the batteries in a place that stays near the same temperature most of the day and night. Our home for example has them in the crawl space, where even from summer to winter the temperature only changes 30 or 40 degrees at most, so the added expense complication of temperature compensation is not really worth it.

I’ve clipped a weblink to Ample Powers website explaining thier product, they happen to be the ones that invented the idea. You can also learn about battery charging in Richard Perez’s book, which might be in your local library. Good luck Harry, and take care, Rudydoo

what will be the a few of sorts of solar energy systems?

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:31:34 +0000

there are presently three main types of solar power system: solar buildings, solar thermal concentration systems and photovoltaic.
for more information, refer to www.herostart.com

New to solar energy systems…?

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:00:27 +0000

would this kit:

http://www.spheralsolar.com/products/Solar%252d2%252dGo-10-watt-w%7B47%7D300-Inverter-Portable-Solar-Kit.html

be a decent setup if i upgraded the size of the battery and the size of the solar panel? would it be easy to do? can i hook up more than 1 panel to this? thanks. i just want to run the light that it comes with at night and then have the outlet from the inverter outside if ever needed.
also, if i added more batteries could i get away with this: http://www.freesunpower.com/images/4p_left.gif

the lines that run out would go to the controller so they can charge as well as the inverter.

The set-up is ok; but remember batteries only increase the backup time but also increase the time to recharge and if you want to upgrade the batteries you must need more sunhours if you use the same panel so I recommend to use a system that really solve your needs.

First you must need to calculate your power consuptiom and then the back-up time of power with that data on hand you will choose and efficient system for you

Thanks

What type of solar energy system is needed for these kinds of applications?

admin — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:19:20 +0000

Some solar energy systems produce high-temperature water for industrial applications and produce steam to run turbines that generate electricity.
What type of solar energy system is needed for these kinds of applications?

A. A flat-panel solar collector system
B. A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight
C. A passive solar system that uses building design to block summer sunlight
D. A flat non-tracking array of photovoltaic panels
E. A passive solar system that uses building design to collect winter sunlight

Is that what you want? http://hot2.info/132391/flat-panel-solar
Gooooood luck (:

Solar Energy Systems Designers?

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:48:25 +0000

Hello,
I hope that everything is going well. I’ve been unemployed for quite a while now. As one part of my job search, Employment Development Department (EDD) has provided me with California Training benefits, which basically pays for me to get more education and training. I would like to receive training and eventually a certification in Solar Energy Systems Designers. One of the steps to be eligible for this program is that I have to talk to three people knowledgeable about current labor market and the position that I’m going to get trained in; However, instead of talking in person, I can submit the answers via email which I’m sure is more convenient. I would much appreciate if you help me qualify for this program by answering the following questions as much as you can. The answers don’t have to be long and could be summarized. I would also appreciate if you can refer me to anyone that you know who is familiar with this field and is willing to help me with these questions.

Name of person interviewed:

Current position & company:

1.What are your job responsibilities / tasks?
2.What skills, certifications, and education are required for this job today?
3.Inform your contact of your current background and task, “Whit my background, what challenges will I face in finding a job in this field?”
4.What do you recommend I do to help me get a job in this field?

u can do it yaself check out link

How does solar energy affect the systems on the surface of the Earth?

admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:34:13 +0000

Hi dee,

Most of you have probably heard about residential solar power systems already but are still unaware of the really essential things that surround it.
These systems actually let you generate your own electricity right in your homes. They are designed to be incorporated with the utility service that already exists in your home.

These systems feature power electronics, patented mounting kits, solar modules and plug-and-play wiring.

The light coming from the sun will be converted by the solar cells found in your modules into DC power directly. This DC power will then be converted to AC power by an inverter so that you can already use it for your homes. These systems are actually connected to the utility that you have in your home. At day time, these systems will be supplying your homes with electricity while a portion will then be used to charge those batteries which you can use in case of power shortage.

Systems are usually specifically designed for specific needs such as to provide electricity to run electrical devices, lights and also appliances. There are also those which are designed to turn the sun’s light into heat.

To find out more check out the link in the resource box below.

How much would it cost and how much power could I get from a solar energy system?

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:28:09 +0000

I’m doing a slightly independent project for calculus. Seeing as it’s Sunday I can’t efficiently call a company. I’d be looking for 100-200kw systems (the average… is that per hour or per day?) and how much it would cost to install that.

For a hypothetical you can use a ballpark number of $3 -$4 per watt for panels and the same again for labor, permits etc. This can vary wildly depending on local wages and economies of scale.
The average home would be more along the lines of a 2 to 5 kW system. So a 5 kW system @ $8/Watt = $40K less 30% Federal tax incentive gets you the 5 kW for $28K out of pocket.

A 100kW system would produce 100kW under ideal conditions during peak sun hours when properly aligned.
What this means is that it will usually be something less. Dust, ash, pollen etc will cause them to get less light. Areas with smog, or fog, or deep valleys or shading are effected. Extreme temps also cause loss.
The first link below is to an Insolation chart that will give you the peak sun hours for various areas in the USA. Similar maps are available for other parts of the world. The sun is usually brightest between 9 AM and 3 PM local time.

For an example take your 100kW system with 80% efficiency at 5 hours of peak sun per day.
That would give you 400 kWh per day.
That 5 kW home system could reasonably be looking at producing 20 kWh per day