Solar Energy Facts » Solar Power Electricity

Ways to use Solar Power for Heat

Leland Poliks — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:43:01 +0000

We have become accustomed to turning a dial or pushing a button in order to have heat. These ways are nice but they may be inconvenient as well. Heating homes, schools or businesses with solar energy is not only easy but cost effective as well. There are several ways that we can capture the sun’s heat even in winter times. In order to capture the sun’s heat you need a solar source. This source can be something that will attract the sun rays but trap the heat from it when it enters the source. A good example is a sunroom.

These rooms are attached to a home or a building and are constructed of glass panels from the floor to the ceiling. It is usually facing the morning sun in order to get the full affect of the heat. When the sun shines into the room the glass allows the sunrays heat the furniture and everything in the room. These areas become the source that holds the heat in so that it will not escape back out of the glass. This type of heating is natural and can be very efficient if it is constructed correctly.

Other forms of solar power heat are:

Thermal mass that absorbs and holds in the heat. It traps and holds heat while the sun is shining and disperses the heat when the sun goes down.

Trombe Wall is a natural solar heating and ventilation system that uses air channels to hold the heat between a glass object and a thermal mass that is facing the sun. The sunlight gets trapped and stored inside this wall and is then circulated though vents and the top and the bottom of the wall. The wall radiates the heat.

Transpired collector is also a wall that is used facing the sun. The wall absorbs the sunlight and heats the air when it enters into the ventilation system.

Solar Cooling is a great way to ventilate a building. It absorbs the solar heat and cools it making ice with a solar powered steam engine that is attached to a cooling device.

Solar Chimney is also a solar ventilation system. It is made of a thermal mass that is hollow inside. The chimney will warm the air inside the chimney and causing the heat to rise. The rise allows the air to circulate and vent properly.

There are several ways that we can provide heating and cooling to our homes, businesses, buildings or other structures that need to be heated. The ways listed above are by using all natural material that will pay off in the long run when you have heat using the sun and not an artificial heating source that may be produced by non-renewable resources. We all need heat no matter what. We need to find out what ways we can save the heat from the day to keep our house warm at night. Not only does it work for heating but also cooling as well.

If you found this article interesting why dont you visit Leland Polik’s website to get more information on types of solar panels.

Technorati Tags: electricity, power, solar panels, Solar Power Electricity

The Many Benefits Of Choosing Solar Energy

Wilma Gustaf Xavier — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:18:34 +0000

When you employ any kind of equipment that uses solar energy, you are effectively transferring energy from the sun to that equipment. What has been taking place are many new and creative uses for solar power, and the technology is always moving forward. How much you decide to incorporate in your home will depend on different factors, and you go all out or just use smaller devices. So let’s look at some features and benefits of solar energy that you may want to start using.

Solar power applications also extend to common electronics like mobile phones and various music players. There is a very clear trend that has been going on for years in the area of consumer electronics. Obviously, something like a solar powered radio would be very handy if there was no power in the house. Solar powered cell phone chargers are something you can also use to recharge your mobile phone without plugging it into a wall outlet. Many of these will also work with iPods, digital cameras and other devices. So it is very convenient to have one of these solar chargers. You can even find computers that are solar powered, but we feel these are not quite ready for prime time.

Basically more and more people are attempting to take more control over their lives. But, admittedly, there are perhaps very many who are only concerned about the cost savings.

Many people hesitate to install solar panels or other types of solar energy because they’re concerned about the cost. Compared to the early days of solar power, you will find the present day costs to be significantly less. First, you can buy the components you need that are simpler but still work, and secondly you can do the work yourself. The most expensive route is contracting everything out to a business that specializes in solar installations. It really all depends on what you do, but you can realize cost reductions for energy almost as soon as the switch is thrown. For very little outlay, you can turn the tables on the utility company using solar energy.

Whether or not you can do a total replacement will depend on your local climate and weather characteristics. So if you’re really interested in benefiting from solar energy and you don’t presently live in a place that gets much sunlight, you may want to consider moving. If you would want to get the very most out of solar power, then the southwestern region of the US is the place to be. But the good news is you can still use solar devices if you live elsewhere and derive positive gains from it. The best thing to do is figure out the best orientation and analyze your own house. You can expect to see even more advances in solar power as technology improves. There are compelling reasons to seriously consider this alternative. Helping the environment is great, but eventually energy costs may become too outrageous for everybody.

If you genuinely want to make the greatest use of solar energy, then think about having a solar powered wedding. This can be a great symbol of your love, as solar power is environmentally friendly, just as your wedding vows are. You’ll find that having an eco-friendly wedding is an excellent way to start your life together.

In order to get the most incredible wedding possible, you need to have some fantastic wedding guest book ideas. These are tremendously easy when you come on over to the wedding guest book ideas internet site now.

Technorati Tags: eco, eco-friendly, electricity, energy, environment, hobbies, home improvement, power, solar, solar energy, solar power, Solar Power Electricity, technology, wedding, weddings

Creating Electricity From the Sun Using Earth4energy

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:40:20 +0000

The technology needed to generate power from the sun can be traced back to 1941 when Russell Ohl created the first solar cell. He already knew that electricity could be generated from the sun because the Physicist Antoine-Cesar Becquerel had already made that discovery. But he was able to apply new technologies to the knowledge attained by Becquerel. The need for solar power increases exponentially every year as can be seen by the recent success of Earth4Energy, an E-Book that was written in order to help people generate their own electricity using homemade solar cells and wind mills. This technology has been widely seen by many as impossible to implement for any practical purposes. However, today that is not the case as many come to understand that anyone can generate their own power. As governments fail to respond to combat environmental and consumer issues (skyrocketing prices etc…), people begin to realize that on a grass roots level they actually have the power to change the world does business. The way that electricity is produced is among the most destructive practices and as energy prices continue to skyrocket people desperately search for solutions. As many people know, calculators have been powered by the sun since 1978. All we need to do now is to think on a larger scale.

The biggest environmental argument for switching to alternative sources of energy such as solar power is to get away from coal fired power plants. In the South East U.S.for example, there is one every one hundred miles or so. Coal plants release copious amounts of Carbon Dioxide (a known green house gas) and other pollutants into the atmosphere. In addition to that, the process by which coal is extracted from the earth is among the most horrendous environmental calamities ever conceived by mankind. Mountain-top removal as is the process by which entire Appalachian mountains are entirely removed so that the coal underneath can be extracted. The destruction that is caused by this can never be repaired and life can never return to the affected area. Then the coal must be rinsed. The resulting toxic coal sludge makes it into the drinking water of many communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Nuclear Power has been viewed for a long time to be the solutions to these problems. Solar power is a better choice because it has no drawbacks unlike nuclear power that creates radioactive waste. It provides just pure, clean and cheap electricity.

Additionally, there is a financial need that many have to lower their power bills which continue to rise. Just picture what it would be like if your house were energy independent. You would be perpetuating the Earth4Energy revolution which saves people money and creates a better and cleaner planet for future generations.

Mason Tanner

Effects Of Clouds On A Solar Panel

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:44:19 +0000

Solar panels hold a wealth of benefits, both for individuals and for the world at large. Economically, solar panels promise to lower the cost of electrical power. Environmentally, solar panels can give us cleaner power, sustainable power that will not require further damage to the environment. Solar power can reach remote areas. It can carry education, or urgently needed medical information.

The effects of clouds on a solar panel, though, might diminish those and other promising benefits.

The effects of clouds on a solar panel might make it far less efficient in certain parts of the world and at certain seasons.

For that reason, people who are considering solar panels for their homes are often heard to ask: will clouds affect my solar panels?

Will Clouds Affect My Solar Panels?

Clouds do affect solar panels. The amount of power your solar panels can produce is directly dependent on the level of light they receive.

In full, bright sunlight, solar panels receive maximum levels of light. During those “peak” sunlight hours, your solar panels will produce power at their maximum capacity.

When clouds cover the sun, light levels are reduced. This does not shut down power production, however. If there is enough light to cast a shadow, in spite of the clouds, your solar panels should operate at about half of their full capacity. Thicker cloud cover will reduce operations further. Eventually, with heavy cloud cover, solar panels will produce very little useful power.

The Good News!

The effects of clouds on a solar panel can be surprising good, however. Incredibly, your solar panels will put out their ultimate amount of peak power during cloudy weather!

As the sun moves into a hole between the clouds, your solar panels will see something wonderful. They will see full direct sunlight “plus” reflected light from the clouds! They will drink in more energy than they could on a cloudless day!

The effects of clouds on a solar panel could then produce peaks at or above 50 percent more than its direct-sun output!

Meeting the Challenge

There are ways to meet the cloud challenge.

1. If you often have clouds in the afternoon, but mornings are clear, aim your solar panels slightly toward the east.

2. Be sure you use a large enough battery system to maximize the amount of power stored for use when the clouds arrive.

3. Make sure your controller has plenty of headroom over the rated panel output power so that it can absorb the surges when the sun reflects off the clouds.

Those tricks and more are practiced in cloudy regions of the world where people have sprinted far ahead of the United States in their use of solar panel energy.

Effects of Clouds on a Solar Panel in Germany

Germany is typically a very cloudy country. Read about the climate of Germany, and you will find that it is “temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind” according to Nation Master’s website.

In spite of its cloudy climate, though, Germany is by far the world’s biggest user of solar panels. If you lived in Germany, you could sell back to the main power grid all of the excess electricity produced by your solar panels. Why would I even care in such a cloudy climate? If clouds affect my solar panels too much, I would not worry about selling back to the main grid.

In 2006, Germany opened the largest solar park in the world. Germany also has Europe’s most modern solar housing project – a solar village of 50 solar houses that produce more energy than they use!

Will clouds affect my solar panels? Even if I lived in Germany, the effect would not be enough to forego solar power.

Tip: There are few places that are so consistently cloudy that solar power is out of the question. Improvements are being made constantly, and even solar panels small enough to fold into a briefcase can produce helpful amounts of power.

Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/effects-of-clouds-on-a-solar-panel-136546.html

Earth4Energy eBook – Learn How to Harvest the Power of the Sun to Run Your Home

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:22:38 +0000

Solar power is one of the cleanest sources of power that is virtually free. No wonder the demand for solar power has gone through the roof in recent years. The energy crisis along with a desire to reduce the carbon footprint has made solar power the number one alternative source of energy amidst homeowners.

The cost associated with a professionally installed solar system can be very high, extending from 10000$ to 50000$. Because of this, many homeowners have turned to DIY solar energy. A DIY, or Do-It-Yourself solar system can be fun to construct and thousands of dollars cheaper than a professionally installed solar system. If you want to proceed the DIY route , the first thing you will need is a high quality guidebook to walk you through the process of equipping your home with solar power.

The Earth4Energy eBook is one of the most popular guidebooks about making your own solar power. Not only does it embrace a hefty, information filled eBook, it furthermore has many video walk throughs that detail every step involved in making your home energy efficient and environment friendly. The reduced upfront cost of $49.97 makes it a very cost effective solution to solving your clean energy needs.

The Earth4Energy eBook consists of several parts that deal with clean energy in general, and solar power in particular. If you have ever been enquiring about how solar energy works, or its advantages, you will find the Earth4Energy eBook to be rather handy. After that, you can dive into the meat of the book – a step-by-step guide to making your own solar panels to use solar energy. While it may sound complicated, homemade solar panels are quite easy to construct , especially with the kind of easy-to-follow steps that Earth4Energy outlines.

Of course, some people may find the written instructions a bit difficult to follow. Hence, Earth4Energy furthermore includes a comprehensive video course that details every step involved in building a solar power system.

As a bonus, the Earth4Energy manual furthermore has several parts devoted to wind power and how you can harvest it for electricity. This bonus, along with the detailed focus on solar power make the Earth4Energy eBook one of the best guides to harvesting the power of the sun in your very backyard.

To read opinion of consumers and review visit Earth4Energy review page.

Vitaly V

A Detailed Analysis of Power Demand Compensation by Using Photovoltaic Power Generation

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:26:06 +0000

Available Information On Photovoltaic Power

There is an enormous supply of articles on the subject of photovoltaic power. Most articles are narrow in scope, perhaps announcing a recent breakthrough or discussing a particular project or application. The internet provides a great deal of information as well, with web sites sponsored by government agencies, industry groups, and manufacturers. We did have some difficulty finding an overview of the subject. Most books on photovoltaics are at least five years old and cover the technical aspect of photovoltaics without providing an assessment of the practicality of using photovoltaics for power generation.

Why Photovoltaic Power Requires Study

The high cost of generating electrical power using photovoltaic cells compared to conventional coal-, gas-, and nuclear-powered generators has kept PV power generation from being in widespread use. Less than 1% of electricity is generated by photovoltaics. However, there are a few applications in which PV power is economical. These applications include satellites, developing countries that lack a power distribution infrastructure, and remote or rugged areas where running distribution lines are not practical. As the cost of photovoltaic systems drops, more applications become economically feasible. The non-polluting aspect of PV power can make it an attractive choice even when conventional generating systems are more economical. The manufacture of photovoltaic systems has increased steadily for the last 25 years. It is inevitable that engineers will be called upon to develop photovoltaic technology or will be involved in projects using this technology. Many existing reports on photovoltaics cover only one facet of the technology and sometimes writers inflate their reports on behalf of the company involved. There is a need for an up-to-date, objective understanding of photovoltaic power generation. With this goal in mind we have created this report.

Photovoltaic Technology

Scientists have known of the photovoltaic effect for more than 150 years. Photovoltaic power generation was not considered practical until the arrival of the space program. Early satellites needed a source of electrical power and any solution was expensive. The development of solar cells for this purpose led to their eventual use in other applications.

Power Output and Efficiency Ratings

The figures given for power output and efficiency of photovoltaic cells, modules, and systems can be misleading. It is important to understand what these figures mean and how they relate to the power available from installed photovoltaic generating systems.

Power Ratings

Photovoltaic power generation systems are rated in peak kilowatts (kWp). This is the amount of electrical power that a new, clean system is expected to deliver when the sun is directly overhead on a clear day. We can safely assume that the actual output will never quite reach this value. System output will be compromised by the angle of the sun, atmospheric conditions, dust on the collectors, and deterioration of the components. When comparing photovoltaic systems to conventional power generation systems, one should bear in mind that the PV systems are only productive during the daytime. Therefore, a 100 kW photovoltaic system can produce only a fraction of the daily output of a conventional 100 kW generator.

Efficiency Ratings

The efficiency of a photovoltaic system is the percentage of sunlight energy converted to electrical energy. The efficiency figures most often reported are laboratory results using small cells. A small cell has a lower internal resistance and will yield a higher efficiency than the larger cells used in practical applications. Additionally, photovoltaic modules are made up of numerous cells connected in series to deliver a usable voltage. Due to the internal resistance of each cell, the total resistance increases and the efficiency drops to about 70% of the single-cell value. Efficiency is higher at lower temperatures. Temperatures used in laboratory measurements may be lower than those in a practical installation.

Converting Sunlight to Electricity

A typical photovoltaic cell consists of semiconductor material (usually silicon) having a pn junction as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.Implementation of solar cells

Sunlight striking the cell raises the energy level of electrons and frees them from their atomic shells. The electric field at the pn junction drives the electrons into the n region while positive charges are driven to the p region. A metal grid on the surface of the cell collects the electrons while a metal back-plate collects the positive charges .

Light Generates

Electron and Hole

p-Type

n-Type

Thin Film Technology

Thin-film solar cells are manufactured by applying thin layers of semiconductor materials to a solid backing material. The composition of a typical thin-film cell is shown in Figure 2. Sunlight entering the intrinsic layer generates free electrons. The p-type and n-type layers create an electric field across the intrinsic layer. The electric field drives the free electrons into the ntype layer while positive charges collect in the p-type layer. The total thickness of the p-type, intrinsic, and n-type layers is about one micron. Although less efficient than single- and polycrystal silicon, thin-film solar cells offer greater promise for large-scale power generation because of ease of mass-production and lower materials cost. Thin-film is also suitable for building-integrated systems because the semiconductor films may be applied to building materials such as glass, roofing, and siding .

Fig.2.

Using thin films instead of silicon wafers greatly reduces the amount of semiconductor material required for each cell and therefore lowers the cost of reducing photovoltaic cells. Gallium arsenide (GaAs), copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2), cadmium telluride (CdTe) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are materials that have been used for thin film PV cells. Titanium dioxide thin films have been recently developed and are interesting because the material is transparent and can be used for windows.

Tin Oxide Tin oxide is a conductive material that is transparent when in a thin layer. Tin oxide is used in place of a metallic grid for the top layer of thin film photovoltaic sheets .

Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Amorphous (uncrystallized) silicon is the most popular thin-film technology. It is prone to degradation and produces cell efficiencies of 5-7%. Double- and triple-junction designs raise efficiency to 8-10%. The extra layers capture different wavelengths of light. The top cell captures blue light, the middle cell captures green light, and the bottom cell captures red light. Variations include amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC), amorphous silicongermanium (a-SiGe), microcrystalline silicon (mc-Si), and amorphous silicon-nitride (a-SiN)

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) Photovoltaic cells using these materials are under development by BP Solar and Solar Cells Inc .

Poly-crystalline Silicon Poly-crystalline silicon offers an efficiency improvement over amorphous silicon while still using only a small amount of material.

Concentrating Collectors

By using a lens or mirror to concentrate the sun’s rays on a small area, it is possible to reduce the amount of photovoltaic material required. A second advantage is that greater cell efficiency can be achieved at higher light concentrations. To accommodate the higher currents in the photocells, a larger metallic grid is used. For example, in a system with a 22X concentration ratio, the grid covers about 20% of the surface of the solar cell. To prevent this from blocking 20% of the sunlight, a prism is used to redirect sunlight onto the photovoltaic material, as shown in Figure 3. A second problem is the higher temperatures of a concentrating system. The cells may be cooled with a heat sink or the heat can be used to heat water .

Fig.3.

Only direct sunlight, not scattered by clouds or haze, can be concentrated. Therefore, the concentrating collectors are less effective in locations that are frequently cloudy or hazy, such as coastal areas .

How much power is available from the sun?

Sunlight reaches the Earth’s outer atmosphere at strength of 1367 watts per square meter, defined as AM0, or “air mass zero.” Atmospheric losses reduce the sun’s power to about 1000 W/m2 when the sun is directly overhead on a cloudless day . Figure 4 shows the average daily sunlight falling on a square meter surface which has been tilted toward the southern horizon at an angle equal to the latitude of the location. Note that diffused as well as direct sunlight is considered, making this map applicable to flat plate collectors.

Fig.4.Average daily sunlight in kWh/m2

Conversion Efficiency

The most efficient PV modules usually employ single-crystal silicon cells, with efficiencies up to 15%. Poly-crystalline cells are less expensive to manufacture but yield module efficiencies of about 11%. Thin-film cells are less expensive still, but give efficiencies to about 8% and suffer greater losses from deterioration.

Production Considerations

In the past, low-grade silicon was bought from semiconductor manufacturers for use in building solar cells. With improvements in the manufacturing process, silicon manufacturers are able to consistently produce the more profitable semiconductor-grade silicon. As a result, it is becoming difficult to buy low-grade silicon. There has been much discussion about building a production facility dedicated to the production of silicon for solar cells.

Photovoltaic Applications

Photovoltaic power generation has been most useful in remote applications with small power requirements where the cost of running distribution lines was prohibitive. As PV power becomes more affordable, the use of photovoltaics for grid-connected applications is increasing. However, the high cost of PV modules and the large area they require continue to be obstacles to using PV power to supplement existing electrical utilities. An interesting approach to both of these problems is the integration of photovoltaics into building materials.

Building-Integrated Systems

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems offer advantages in cost and appearance by incorporating photovoltaic properties into building materials such as roofing, siding, and glass. When BIPV materials are substituted for conventional materials in new construction, the savings involved in the purchase and installation of the conventional materials are applied to the cost of the photovoltaic system. BIPV installations are architecturally more attractive than roof mounted PV structures.

For example, United Solar Corporation produces photovoltaic shingles that replace normal asphalt shingles. Each PV shingle replaces a seven-foot long row of asphalt shingles, and any roofer can install them. Normally, only one-third of a roof needs to be covered with PV panels to produce sufficient power for the average home. Glass manufactured with photovoltaic properties is available for use in skylights and windows. The architect can select from several colors of transparent photovoltaic glass. The tint color and depth is controlled by the type and amount of semiconductor material used in the construction of the photovoltaic glass.

Off-Grid Applications

The majority of photovoltaic power generation applications are remote, off-grid applications. These include communication satellites, terrestrial communication sites, remote homes and villages, and water pumps. These are sometimes hybrid systems that include an engine-driven generator to charge batteries when solar power is insufficient.

Grid-Connected Applications

In grid-connected application, the DC power from solar cells runs through an inverter and feeds back into the distribution system. Grid-connected systems have demonstrated an advantage in natural disasters by providing emergency power capabilities when utility power was interrupted. Although PV power is generally more expensive than utility-provided power, the use of grid connected systems is increasing.

The Economics Of Photovoltaic Power Generation

Photovoltaic efficiency and manufacturing costs have not reached the point that photovoltaic power generation can compete with conventional coal-, gas-, and nuclear-powered facilities. The cost of photovoltaic power (when storage is not required) is two to four times that of conventionally produced power. It is difficult to define this relationship precisely due to wide variations in the cost of producing and distributing conventional electrical power and other variables. Due to the wide range of these variables, some applications of photovoltaic power are economically superior to conventional systems.

Conclusion

However, large variations in cost of conventional electrical power, and other factors, such as cost of distribution, create situations in which the use of PV power is economically sound. PV power is used in remote applications such as communications, homes and villages in developing countries, water pumping, camping, and boating. Grid connected applications such as electric utility generating facilities and residential rooftop installations make up a smaller but more rapidly expanding segment of PV use. Furthermore, as technological advances narrow the cost gap, more applications are becoming economically feasible at an accelerating rate.

s.sankar
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/a-detailed-analysis-of-power-demand-compensation-by-using-photovoltaic-power-generation-591667.html

A Detailed Analysis of Power Demand Compensation by Using Photovoltaic Power Generation

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:50:18 +0000

Available Information On Photovoltaic Power

Why Photovoltaic Power Requires Study

Photovoltaic Technology

Power Output and Efficiency Ratings

Power Ratings

Efficiency Ratings

Converting Sunlight to Electricity

A typical photovoltaic cell consists of semiconductor material (usually silicon) having a pn junction as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.Implementation of solar cells

Light Generates

Electron and Hole

p-Type

n-Type

Thin Film Technology

Fig.2.

Tin Oxide Tin oxide is a conductive material that is transparent when in a thin layer. Tin oxide is used in place of a metallic grid for the top layer of thin film photovoltaic sheets .

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) Photovoltaic cells using these materials are under development by BP Solar and Solar Cells Inc .

Poly-crystalline Silicon Poly-crystalline silicon offers an efficiency improvement over amorphous silicon while still using only a small amount of material.

Concentrating Collectors

Fig.3.

How much power is available from the sun?

Fig.4.Average daily sunlight in kWh/m2

Conversion Efficiency

Production Considerations

Photovoltaic Applications

Building-Integrated Systems

Off-Grid Applications

Grid-Connected Applications

The Economics Of Photovoltaic Power Generation

Conclusion

s.sankar
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/a-detailed-analysis-of-power-demand-compensation-by-using-photovoltaic-power-generation-591667.html

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Proposed Planning of Wireless Power Transmission Demonstration

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 01:00:54 +0000

I. INTRODUCTION

In our present electricity generation system we waste more than half of its resources. Especially the transmission and distribution losses are the main concern of the present power technology. Much of this power is wasted during transmission from power plant generators to the consumer. The resistance of the wire used in the electrical grid distribution system causes a loss of 26-30% of the energy generated. This loss implies that our present system of electrical distribution is only 70-74% efficient. We have to think of alternate state – of – art technology to transmit and distribute the electricity. Now- a- days global scenario has been changed a lot and there are tremendous development in every field. If we don’t keep pace with the development of new power technology we have to face a decreasing trend in the development of power sector. The transmission of power without wires may be one noble alternative for electricity transmission.

William C. Brown, the leading authority on wireless power transmission technology, has loaned this demonstration unit to the Texas Space Grant Consortium to show how power can be transferred through free space by microwaves. A block diagram of the demonstration components is shown below. The primary components include a microwave source, a transmitting antenna, and a receiving rectenna.

Fig.1 Block of wireless power transmission

The microwave source consists of a microwave oven magnetron with electronics to control the output power. The output microwave power ranges from 50 W to 200 W at 2.45 GHz. A coaxial cable connects the output of the microwave source to a coax-to-waveguide adapter. This adapter is connected to a waveguide ferrite circulator which protects the microwave source from reflected power. The circulator is connected to a tuning waveguide section to match the waveguide impedance to the antenna input impedance.

The slotted waveguide antenna consists of 8 waveguide sections with 8 slots on each section. These 64 slots radiate the power uniformly through free space to the rectenna. The slotted waveguide antenna is ideal for power transmission because of its high aperture efficiency (> 95%) and high power handling capability.

A rectifying antenna called a rectenna receives the transmitted power and converts the microwave power to direct current (DC) power. This demonstration rectenna consists of 6 rows of dipoles antennas where 8 dipoles belong to each row. Each row is connected to a rectifying circuit which consists of low pass filters and a rectifier. The rectifier is a GaAs Schottky barrier diode that is impedance matched to the dipoles by a low pass filter. The 6 rectifying diodes are connected to light bulbs for indicating that the power is received. The light bulbs also dissipated the received power. This rectenna has a 25% collection and conversion efficiency, but rectennas have been tested with greater than 90% efficiency at 2.45 GHz.

II. THE TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE

In this remarkable discovery of the “True Wireless” and the principles upon which transmission and reception, even in the present day systems, are based, Dr. Nikola Tesla shows us that he is indeed the “Father of the Wireless.” The most wellknown and famous Wardenclyffe Tower (Tesla Tower) was designed and constructed mainly for wireless transmission of electrical power, rather than telegraphy [1]. The most popular concept known is Tesla Theory in which it was firmly believed that Wardenclyffe (Fig.2) would permit wireless transmission and reception across large distances with negligible losses [2]. In spite of this he had made numerous experiments of high quality to validate his claim of possibility of wireless transmission of electricity (Fig.3). But this was an unfortunate incidence that people of that century was not in a position to recognize his splendid work otherwise today we may transmit electricity wirelessly and will convert our mother earth a wonderful adobe full of electricity.

Fig.2. The 187-foot Wardenclyffe Tower (Tesla Tower)

The modern ideas are dominated by microwave power transmission (MPT, Figure 3) called Solar power satellite to be built in high earth orbit to collect sunlight and convert that energy into microwaves, then beamed to a very large antenna on earth, the microwaves would be converted into conventional electrical power.

Fig.3. The basis for Tesla’s system for the wireless transmission of electrical

power[3].

III. MERITS, DEMERITS & ECONOMICS OF

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES

3.1 Merits

An electrical distribution system, based on this method would eliminate the need for an inefficient, costly, and capital intensive grid of cables, towers, and substations. The system would reduce the cost of electrical energy used by the consumer and rid the landscape of wires, cables, and transmission towers.

There are areas of the world where the need for electrical power exists, yet there is no method for delivering power. Africa is in need of power to run pumps to tap into the vast resources of water under the Sahara Desert. Rural areas, such as those in China, require the electrical power necessary to bring them into the 20th century and to equal standing with western nations. The wireless transmission will solve many of these problems The electrical energy can be economically transmitted without wires to any terrestrial distance, so there will be no transmission and distribution loss. More efficient energy distribution systems and sources are needed by both developed and under developed nations. In regards to the new systems, the market for wireless power transmission is enormous. It has the potential to become a multi-billion dollar per year market.

The increasing demand for electrical energy in industrial nations is well documented. If we include the demand of third world nations, pushed by their increasing rate of growth, we could expect an even Faster rise in the demand for electrical power in the near future. These systems can only meet these requirements with 90–94 %efficient transmission [3, 8].

High Transmission Integrity and Low Loss: – To transmit

wireless power to any distance without limit. It makes no difference what the distance is. The efficiency of the transmission can be as high as 96 or 97 per cent, and there are

practically no losses.

3.2. Demerits

Biological Impact: – One common criticism of the Tesla wireless power system is regarding its possible biological effects. Calculating the circulating reactive power, it was found that the frequency is very small and such a frequency is very biologically compatible [3, 8].

3.3.Economic Impact

The concept looks to be costly initially. The investment cost of Tesla Tower was $150,000 (1905). In terms of economic theory, many countries will benefit from this service. Only private, dispersed receiving stations will be needed. Just like television and radio, a single resonant energy receiver is required, which may eventually be built into appliances, so no power cord will be necessary! Monthly electric utility bills from old-fashioned, fossil-fuelled, lossprone electrified wire-grid delivery services will be optional, much like “cable TV” of today. In the 21st century, “Direct TV” is the rage, which is an exact parallel of Tesla’s “Direct Electricity.”

IV. ADDITIONAL REMARKS

Many concepts, research papers, patents are available on wireless transmission of electricity but most research work were carried out in isolation, so it needs a joint collaborative efforts to get a very useful results on this advanced technology on power transmission for the benefit of mankind globally in future. Whatever the future may bring, the universal application of these great principles is fully assured, though it may be long in coming. With the opening of the first power plant, incredulity will give way to wonderment, and this to ingratitude, as ever before.

The world is still not able to achieve the benefit of the God gifted potential of Dr N.Tesla. People neglected him and his good work. He deserved much better treatment from the tycoons of his age, than to spend the last 40 years of his life in abject poverty. However, he was too much of a gentleman to hold a grudge. Instead, regarding the magnifying transmitter, Tesla wrote in his autobiography, “I am unwilling to accord to some small-minded and jealous individuals the satisfaction of having thwarted my efforts. These men are to me nothing more than microbes of a nasty disease. My project was retarded by laws of nature. The world was not prepared for it. It was too far ahead of time. But the same laws will prevail in the end and make it a triumphal success.” [3, 8-9]. If this has had not been happened, then today we will be in a wonder world of plenty of power using the technology of wireless transmission of electricity.

V. CONCLUSION

The transmission of power without wires is not a theory or a mere possibility, it is now a reality. The electrical energy can be economically transmitted without wires to any terrestrial distance. Many researchers have established in numerous observations, experiments and measurements, qualitative and quantitative. Dr.N.Tesla is the pioneer of this invention. Wireless transmission of electricity have tremendous merits like high transmission integrity and Low Loss (90 – 97 % efficient) and can be transmitted to any where in the globe and eliminate the need for an inefficient, costly, and capital intensive grid of cables, towers, and substations. The system would reduce the cost of electrical energy used by the consumer and get rid of the landscape of wires, cables, and transmission towers. It has negligible demerits like reactive power which was found insignificant and biologically compatible.

REFERENCES

[1] Nikola Tesla, “The Transmission of Electrical Energy Without Wires as a Means for Furthering Peace,” Electrical World and Engineer. Jan. 7, p. 21, 1905.

[2] Nikola Tesla, My Inventions, Ben Johnston, Ed., Austin, Hart Brothers, p. 91,1982.

[3] Thomas F. Valone, “ Tesla’s Wireless Energy… For the 21st Century!!! One Step Beyond Direct TV!!!” Extra Ordinary Technology, 1, no. 4, Oct / Nov / Dec 2003.

[4] James O. McSpadden, “ Wireless Power Transmission Demonstration”, Texas A&M University, June, 1997.

[5] Thomas W. Benson , “ Wireless transmission of power now possible”, News Letter, pp1118 – 9, March , 1920.

[6] Charych Arthur (Setauket, NY), “ System and method for wireless electrical power transmission”, Patent No. 6,798,716, September 28, 2004.

[7] Joe T. Howell, et. al , “Advanced receiver / converter experiments for laser wireless power transmission”5th. Wireless transmission conference, pp 1-8, Garanda, Spain,2004.

[8] Nikola Tesla, “ The true wireless”, Electrical Experiments ,May, 1919.

[9] Toby Grotz,” Wireless transmission of power”, Courtesy of the Tesla BBS at 719 486-2775, August 28, 1990.

s.sankar
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/proposed-planning-of-wireless-power-transmission-demonstration-698973.html

Plug ‘n Play Solar Chargers

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:32:05 +0000

With the recent introduction of plug-n-play solar chargers into the market, solar power is within the reach of just about anyone. You no longer have to be a tech savvy “do-it-yourself-er” in order to harness solar power.

What exactly is a plug-n-play solar charger? In its simplicity, it’s usually a solar panel combined with a battery pack, sold as a unit, which is capable of collecting solar energy and storing it in a battery. That’s all there is to it.

The feature that makes this type of set-up so useful is that you can use it to power or recharge your electrical devices, laptops, power tools, radios or even TVs, from the battery pack. The solar power and battery pack are sold together – so you don’t have to worry about compatibility, cables, watts, voltages, or anything like that. And you don’t have to wonder whether the setup will work or not.

By using the battery pack, instead of trying to power your equipment directly from a solar panel, you ensure that you have a steady flow of power or electricity flowing into your equipment. Even on a sunny day there can always be some clouds. When they move in front of the sun it there would be a decrease of solar energy being picked up by the panels, which would momentarily reduce the amount of electricity being produced by your solar charger. But if your equipment is connected to a battery pack (which is in turn connected to a solar panel) the battery would take up the momentary slack in solar energy.

There are other advantages to using plug-n-play solar charger kits, i addition to their steady flows of electricity. Because of the fact that the solar panels charge the battery pack, you will be able to make use of solar energy at any time, night or day, regardless of weather conditions or available sunlight. You simply make sure the solar charger is charging during daylight hours. You then use the battery to charge your laptop, cell-phone, iPod (or whatever else you need to charge) during the night, while you are sleeping.

A little known fact I will throw in is that many people think solar chargers and solar panels only work in hot climates. Not true. Solar panels collect solar energy far more efficiently when they are cold. Thus, they actually operate more efficiently in colder temperatures. This fact makes them perfectly suitable for just about any climate. All you need is daylight.

There are some factors you will need to take into account with such a solar charger setup:

1. Whether or not the battery pack is capable of powering the device you want to power

2. How long it takes for the solar panel to fully charge your battery pack.

Once you know that, you can decide whether you have found the right solar charger setup for you or not.

There are now a wide variety of ready-to-go, plug-n-play solar charger systems and do-it-yourself packages available, to suit anyone’s needs. They are used for small portable power units,cell phones, camera batteries, iPods, and laptops, etc. They are also used for larger systems which give remote or emergency power for AC and DC appliances such as radios, small TVs, cabin lighting and much, much more.

Plug-n-play devices and do-it-yourself kits are a great way to get started using solar energy at an affordable price. They bypass the need for advanced knowledge in electronics, and keep things simple.

Anna