Is Your Site Suitable for Solar Panels?
April 30, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
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Solar energy is increasing in popularity, especially with the potential for rebates and tax incentives. The federal government is offering a 30 percent tax credit this year for installing solar systems. Each state has its own legislation to encourage the development of solar and other options. Be sure to check any requirements before installing a solar system.
To evaluate whether solar panels will be suitable for your location, there are some critical factors to consider. In the U.S., we have enough direct and scattered sunlight to support photovoltaic, or PV modules, and produce electricity using solar resources. But the amount of electricity that can be created depends upon the amount of energy from the sun that reaches these solar units. Obviously, in the southwestern region of the U.S., where the sun’s rays are strongest, solar energy systems will be most efficient.
When thinking about the purchase of solar panels, the first issue to determine is whether you’ll be able to create enough solar energy to make your system economical and efficient. Perhaps not all of your solar electricity can be generated through photovoltaics, but you’ll want to be able to create enough power to make this system worthwhile. Perform an analysis, or have a qualified contractor do one for you to be certain that your location is appropriate for a solar system.
There are a number of factors to consider, including the angle of the solar arrays and the surrounding landscaping. The most effective positioning for panels in the U.S. and Canada is facing south, but they can be positioned up to 45 degrees east or west of true south and still be effective.
Most people choose to mount the arrays flat on the roof, and that means further considerations, such as the angle and condition of the roof, the position the roof faces, any landscaping (including trees) that might block sunlight, and weather conditions that could have a bearing on electricity production.
If using your roof isn’t feasible, there are still other options, including placing the system on the ground or a platform. Panels can be fixed on a “tracking” mount that follows the sun. The best tilt for your modules is an angle equal to your latitude.
So even if your property isn’t optimal for a roof mount, solar arrays might still prove an attractive option to the local utility. As long as there is enough sunlight, the possibility of more creative panel placement exists. And as the technology continues to improve and costs decrease, and the government creates incentives toinstall solar, this will become an attractive alternative.
Malibu Solar Cast Aluminum Flood Light and Remote Panel with 12 High Power White LEDs Black LZ605RP
April 6, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
This Malibu solar flood light is made of pro-grade cast aluminum and comes with 12 high powered white LEDs. It has a remote panel, which can be placed in a sunny location and attached by 20 feet of wire to the light. It has a Clear Impact resistant lens and recharges by direct sunlight and lasts up to 10 hours with a full charge. It comes in an attractive black finish.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Seems good
I am replacing a 250 watt floodlight with 2 of these fixtures. It is great not to be paying for electricity any more. The choice between full power or lesser power is nice for summer vs. winter lighting. A nice investment.
1 Star Disappointed
Purchased & came in timely manner. Had read all reviews and thought to be good for flag illumination. Received and setup and worked for a few days then quit. Tapped on solar panel and light would go off and on. Contacted support which was fast and fair and sent out new solar panel however received differnt model solar panel with 800Mah batteries and original was 1200Mah. Called concerned about brightness as solar panel was smaller and asked why sent wrong model. They said model should work and needed the 1200Mah and would send me some. Received 900mAh batteries. Go figure. Light working but as I said disappointed. Not sure if I were to get the right model whether it would work or be brighter. Answering Service good but questionable knowledge of product, product lousy.
1 Star Malibu Solar flood lite
I have had nothing but problems with this product! After the first 48 hours of charging it worked for 1 night. Then I had to replace the batteries. Its a solar lite?? Why do I have to keep replacing the batteries??? I have had no responce from Malibu and they are very hard to get ahold of so Im stuck with a product that sucks!
5 Stars Nice Lighting
I bought this floodlight about 5 months ago based on the first reviewers comments. I am quite happy with the amount of light this throws on a 30 saguaro cactus near my pool. I have been very disappointed with solar lights in the past, even just for accent lighting along a path. But this does a nice job of illumination - it lights up the lower half of the saguaro nicely, the top not so much. You can see the top half of the cactus, but it’s it a dim light. As other reviewers say, it’s not as bright as regular electric lights, but it does a good job. Also mine does NOT have the blue tint that other solar lights have. This is great for a portion of the yard where it’s impractical to run electricity. I have an acre yard, and I have no desire to run electricity all over it, but I do have seating areas and visually interesting areas around the yard that I want to accent at night. I will be buying more of these for that purpose.
4 Stars Great item if you know how to use it
Very easy to start & use, It’s very bright, but you can’t have any light shining on the solar panel at night. The brightness of a light dims the flood light eminating, so keep the solar panal away from a streetlight or any light at night.
SohoDecor 6 Pack Copper Cone Solar Garden Lights New 2009 2 LEDs version with Ultra High Sensitive Solar Panel ECO Bonus Edition
April 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Care free outdoor lighting, with a beautiful simple stainless steel finish. NO wires, just great-looking, easy lighting! Great for your walkways, patio, driveway, garden, this is the best in after-dark ambience. New 2009 version with an extra LED to double its brightness. The Ultra-Highly sensitive PV solar panel used on this item is the same as in solar powered calculators we use everyday. This innovative idea greatly reduces the sunlight required while improving the run time at night by almost double. [SohoDecor supports eco-friendly environment. Each order we include a self-powered energy saving DYNAMO 3 LEDS FLASH LIGHT as a bonus gift, which is the newest in technology in battery less flashlight. Great for Camping, Emergencies, Office & Home. Limited one per order number.]
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars They are working
The lights are very pretty, but they began to rust after a week and two day rain fall.One has even become ternished.I am not sure if this was supposed to happen so quickly.I had carriage that lasted 7 years before they started to ternish. This is why I wanted to replace.Not happy with this deal.
2 Stars Ok, but started to rust after 2 days
Nice bright copper finish, out of the box. Good, not exceptional, lighting. But these, relatively expensive lights began to rust just 2 days after being outside. Very Disappointing!
4 Stars Very nice looking
These are very nice looking lights. They worked immediately when I turned them on. I don’t think I’ve seen them in full use yet because there really hasn’t been too much sun since we got them. I hope. They would be very nice for the garden or side of the pool. Great buy for the price.
1 Star Defective - rused within 2 months
Might began showing rust within 2 months of purchase. Fine for indoor us, I guess.
4 Stars Simple & efficient
Got these to use along the curved stairway outside of my house. Since I don’t yet have a railing, I thought they would help with the walk up (I don’t want visitors to take a mean tumble trying to reach the door. $$$ lawsuits!). The design matches perfectly with the house and are pretty sturdy. They’ve been out for a couple of weeks and have held in bad weather. Thus far they haven’t shown signs of weathering like a few of the outdoor products I have purchased but the light isn’t as bright as some other houses on the block. Then again, with all the moths and mosquitoes that hang out on the front lawn, I don’t need anything else helping bugs find their way to my house. The sun has been setting earlier (7pm) so I’ve been surprised to find these garden lights still radiating light, albeit very low, when I leave in the early morning. It’s prevented me from falling on my face when I’ve been adventurous and left the house in 4″ heels.
ICP Solar 04027 BatterySaver SE2
April 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Using the energy from the sun, the BatterySAVER SE 2W will replenish your 12V battery by sending a constant maintenance level charge to the battery of your car, light truck, van or SUV. You will never be caught with a dead car battery again!
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars It works
I drive my 04 Taurus maybe once every 4 months. With an alarm system my battery needs help. This thing works.
2 Stars Truely a trickle
I have used a very similar product before with good results. I take the battery out of my boat between infrequent uses, and attack to the solar charger mounted to a window in my garage. The last time I used the battery, it was dead. I was able to charge it and use it later, so I believe the battery was not the problem.
3 Stars meaaaaa
Received different panel than what was advertised.
Will not work when attached to windshield or any tinted glass; requires direct sunlight.
Shipped in a couple weeks.
Works fine.
1 Star Booooo
This unit did absolutely nothing for my Lexus RX300 (2000). Direct sunlight — I live in Southern California — produced zero effect. I’m on my second battery in 12 months — keeps dying, even with this product installed.
5 Stars For infrequently driven vehicles
If your vehicle has to sit for a length of time, this trickle charger is just the ticket.
Solar Pump large
April 3, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Unique Arts - Solar Pump (large) Easy to use, the Large Solar Pump is perfect for larger water features and ponds. Solar feature uses the sun?s solar energy and replaces electric pumps, cords and electrical installations and allows placement wherever you please. Powerful and compact, this pump features a separate 8 x 11 ? solar panel that is staked into the ground. The 16 ft cord allows the panel to be placed in direct sunlight and the angled head easily adjusts to receive optimum sunlight. 130 GPH (gallon-per-hour output) with up to a 48 in spray. 18V DC Brushless pump means no rotating brush to wear out, eliminating the need for replacement parts. Easy installation ? complete and ready to go. A/C Jack and Adapter is included to continue using the pump in rainy days. Three fountain nozzles are also included.
