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An individual solar panel is made of many solar cells. The cells are electrically connected to provide a particular value of current and voltage. The individual cells are properly encapsulated to provide isolation and protection from humidity and corrosion. There are different types of modules available on the market, depending on the power demands of your application. The most common modules are

composed of 32 or 36 solar cells of crystalline silicon.

These cells are all of equal size, wired in series, and encapsulated between glass and plastic material, using a polymer resin (EVA) as a thermal insulator. The surface area of the module is typically between 0.1 and 0.5 m2. Solar panels usually have two electrical contacts, one positive and one negative.

Some panels also include extra contacts to allow the installation of bypass diodes across individual cells. Bypass diodes protect the panel against a phenomenon known as “hot-spots”. A hot-spot occurs when some of the cells are in shadow while the rest of the panel is in full sun. Rather than producing energy, shaded cells behave as a load that dissipates energy.

In this situation, shaded cells can see a significant increase in temperature (about 85 to 100ºC.) Bypass diodes will prevent hot-spots on shaded cells, but reduce the maximum voltage of the panel. They should only be used when shading is unavoidable. It is a much better solution to expose the entire panel to full sun whenever possible. The electrical performance of a solar module its represented by the IV characteristic curve, which represents the current that is provided based on the voltage generated for a certain solar radiation. The curve represents all the possible values of voltage-current.

The curves depend on two main factors: the temperature and the solar radiation received by the cells. For a given solar cell area, the current generated is directly proportional to solar irradiance (G), while the voltage reduces slightly with an increase of temperature. A good regulator will try to maximize the amount of energy that a panel provides by tracking the point that provides maximum power (V x I). The maximum power corresponds to the knee of the IV curve.

How to choose a good panel?

One obvious metric to use when shopping for solar panels is to compare the ratio of the nominal peak power (Wp) to the price. This will give you a rough idea of the cost per Watt for different panels. But there are a number of other considerations to keep in mind as well.

If you are going to install solar panels in geographical areas where soiling (from dust, sand, or grit) will likely be a problem, consider purchasing panels with a low affinity for soil retention. These panels are made of materials that increase the likelihood that the panel will be automatically cleaned by wind and rain.

Always check the mechanical construction of each panel. Verify that the glass is hardened and the aluminum frame is robust and well built. The solar cells inside the panel can last for more than 20 years, but they are very fragile and the panel must protect them from mechanical hazards. Look for the manufacturer’s quality guarantee in terms of expected power output and mechanical construction.

Finally, be sure that the manufacturer provides not only the nominal peak power of the panel (Wp) but also the variation of the power with irradiation and temperature. This is particularly important when panels are used in arrays, as variations in the operating parameters can have a big impact on the quality of power generated and the useful lifetime of the panels.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Ok first up let’s take a look at how to go about disconnecting a washing machine

1. Like with any plumbing maintenance, the water supply will need to be disconnected before starting. This is just a precautionary measure to prevent water leakage if an error is encountered, and potential further plumbing problems.

2. Disconnect the washing machine from the power source, as electricity and water don’t mix after all!

3. Manoeuvre the washing machine forward and take a look at the connections at the back, locating the discharge pipe which carries the dirty water during a washing cycle. The pipe itself is attached to an open top plastic pipe which is attached to the wall behind the machine leading to the drain. Before disconnecting the pipe, make sure you have a bucket ready to catch any dirty water which may have been left within the pipe.

4. Next up is the disconnection of the water supply pipes (a cold and sometimes a hot inlet pipe is featured). At the end of these pipes you should find a set of small taps on the connectors which will need to be turned off.

5. The inlet pipes are connected with standard plastic nuts which can be easily gripped with the ridges that have been set within the design. Once the pipe has been disconnected be prepared with the bucket again just in case water flows out.

6. Once these have all been disconnected you are ready to pull the machine out completely, and move on to the exciting part of setting up the new machine.

Disconnecting that old, broken washing machine and connecting a nice new replacement machine can sometimes be a stressful scenario in which you really don’t want to participate, but before you jump to the phone and contact London Plumbers, take a look at this handy step by step guide on how you can fit this yourself!
Now let’s take a look at how to connect the new washing machine

1. Now that the washing machine has been delivered you will need to remove the bolts from the rear of the machine, as these are only used to secure the drum whilst the machine is being transported.

2. The same as with disconnecting the old machine ensure that the water supply is still turned off.

3. Place the waste pipe into the top of the existing drain pipe which will be fixed to the wall. There should be an open top on the drainage pipe to allow air to flow through the pipe to ain the flow of the water after it has been pumped from the washing machine.

4. Connect the supply water pipe (or pipes, some models will have a hot water inlet and the pipes are coloured coded red and blue for easy identification) and tighten the nuts to ensure the pipes are securely in place.

5. Now it’s time to turn the water supply and inlet taps at the mains pipe back on, and check for any leaks.

6. Connect the washing machine in to the mains power, and switch it on for a test rinse. During the test check the plumbing for any leaks to ensure that everything has been securely connected.

7. Push the washing machine back in place once the test rinse has completed and let the fun begin!

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Magnetic field generators have created a lot of interest. Several people are turning towards this new-age source of electricity due to the many benefits that it offers. A magnetic field generator produces energy using magnets. The core of the magnetic generator has a perpetual spin motion that is utilized in production of electricity.

A magnetic field generator is capable of powering several household items such as television, refrigerator, computer, lamps and many more. The generator
can help you cut down your electricity bill by 50% to 100% depending on the size of your home and that of the generator. In fact, a large generator can create surplus energy that you can sell to earn some extra income.

Magnetic field generators do not incur any maintenance cost. They can work well for 400 years and since they are usually installed indoors, they are not affected adversely by natural elements, such as, rain, humidity and sunlight. The small device can be placed in your garage, basement or even under the sink.

Magnetic field generators do not emit harmful gases or any other type of toxic waste. Thus, they are safe for the environment as well as your family. The best part about magnetic field generators is that they do not depend on any external source for power. Thus, unlike wind turbines and solar panels, they function properly irrespective of the climatic conditions.

Ready to use magnetic generators are not available in the market, so you have to build one for yourself. Contrary to popular perception, it is not difficult to build your own magnetic field generator, if you have all the materials and a good DIY guide. The required materials can easily be found in your home or a local hardware shop for less than $200. Get a magnetic field generator for your home today and reap the benefits for lifetime. A magnetic field generator will reduce your carbon footprint as well as your electricity bill.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Let’s face it, many of us long for that ageless, rustic Tuscan look for our exterior spaces – soft earthy colors, weather aged cast iron or stone furniture, large weather worn stone planters or urns, and a grape vine growing over rustic looking wooden archway .

Unfortunately of course it’s not really possible to re-create an enchanting Tuscan look where weather conditions are vastly dissimilar and buildings are constructed in vastly different styles and with different building materials. But nevertheless, with a bit of effort and the the right choice of materials, it’s feasible to produce at least a semblance of a Tuscan ambiance within your courtyard or patio.

The best place to start is with the walls. Ideally walls should be given a rough rendered finish to give a slightly rough texture and either an ochre colour is added to the render or can be painted on afterward . Take a to get an idea of suitable colours.

Next you need to consider what to lay on the ground . To avoid back breaking work and cost of digging up existing concrete and re-laying with natural stone slabs, a much more simple and convenient solution is to use interlocking deck tiles. These tiles can merely be laid directly over the top of the existing hard surface . They don’t use any adhesives in view of the fact that each tile is locked to the neighboring tile with inbuilt connecting tabs. These days, it’s possible to purchase interlocking deck tiles in a variety of surface materials, but for a Tuscan look, your best choice would generally be natural sandstone interlocking tiles .

After you have installed the tiles or pavers , then you can start on the accessories . Try to find some large planters or urns. Rather than going to the expense of purchasing natural stone products, you can buy rather good reproductions crafted from cast cement which are treated to give an vintage appearance. Be aware that just a few large and appealingly designed planters or urns will always look better than a larger collection of smaller objects.

Next you need to consider the furniture. Preferably you should select rustic cast-iron furniture or if expense is no object , you could select a stone bench or two, a couple of stone seats or even a stone table.

To finish, you need to select appropriate plants to use in your urns or planters and around the area you have just fashioned. You really want to be using plants which have a Mediterranean feel and not bright, showy plants. Generally speaking, the most suitable plants those with greyish or brown strap like leaves. If you have the space, you could also incorporate a pergola structure and train a vine to creep up and over the pergola. Otherwise you could attach panels of lattice to one of the walls and train a suitably selected vine to grow over the lattice.

Of course it will be impossible to achieve the total effect overnight, but then Rome was not built in a day either. But with a bit of patience and good planning, you can have your own special corner of Tuscany, right in your backyard.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

If you’re thinking about building a backyard shed from a plan, there are a minimum of six criteria you will want to insure your plan has before your purchase it. Unless you’re a skilled carpenter, you’ll need all six of these to insure you have a pleasurable and successful shed-building experience.

1. A drawing or photograph of the finished product

It always helps to have an image of the end goal of any endeavor. This is also true of building your own shed. Good shed plans will come with an artist’s rendering of the shed, perhaps with landscaping and potential uses shown as well. There may even be photographs of actual sheds built from the plans, with alternative outer style enhancements shown. In any case, you will want to have an image of what your shed will look like when it is finished so that you can determine if this plan is right for you.

2. A detailed blueprint

Most all shed plans come with what is known as a blueprint. The term blueprint comes from many years ago when drawings were produced using duplicating equipment that caused the paper and drawings to be blue in color. Today, most prints are digital and are meant to be printed on white paper. In any case, you want the shed building drawings to be detailed so that there are no questions how pieces are meant to go together. A good way to determine whether your blueprints are detailed enough is to look at the style accent pieces or the roof framing. Usually these two components have complex angles that require extra detail in order to be able to make the pieces successfully. If you don’t see sufficient detail for your skill level to be able to replicate the pieces in question, you should probably pass on those particular plans.

3. A complete material list

A detailed and complete materials list will have everything you will need to build your shed. Usually there will be a little more than is actually used in the shed, just in case of mistakes. A good materials list (also known as bill of materials) will list every piece of lumber, fastener, shingle, and miscellaneous component needed and include the quantity, grade, and size required. With a complete material list, you can take it to your building supply store and just hand it over to them and leave with everything you need.

4. List of tools required

A list of tools required to build the shed is a necessary component of a good shed building plan. If you see equipment on the list that you don’t own, you will have to take into account whether you will buy the necessary tool, rent it, or borrow it. Also, if for your skill level you see tools required that you have not used, you may want to consider whether this particular shed plan may be “over your head” and one you should pass on.

5. Foundation specifications

While shed plans don’t normally detail how to build a foundation, really good plans will go into some detail on the options you have available to you for acceptable foundations for your shed plan. You can then weigh the options against the functionality of your shed to determine whether you should go with a permanent option (such as a concrete floor) or a semi-permanent one (like a skid foundation).

6. Step by step instructions

Good shed plans will contain step by step instructions that will walk you through every phase of the shed building project in order. This is helpful in that the plan designer can alert you to some tricky areas or specific areas to pay attention to for safety or structural reasons. Make sure the wording makes sense to you and that you can understand the jargon. Sometimes plans are written by skilled carpenters and their own terminology can come across as a completely different language. If you can get a clear picture of what you need to do at each step, then the plan you are considering is indeed a good one.

There are a myriad of sources for shed building plans. Your local building supply store will more than likely have some, as well as books and web sites on the Internet. If you’re buying from the Internet, make sure you get a money-back guarantee before you buy. That way, after you have had a chance to analyze the plans against these six criteria, you can return them if they don’t stack up.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

There are many sources of energy that one could use to generate electricity to power our appliances at home. The most popular that our society use are fossil fuels and nuclear energy. However, these sources of energy are often deemed dangerous to the environment and to human lives as well. The best other alternative energy source is the sun. Unknown to others, there are guides available how to harness it at home, even a guide on how to make solar water heater.

Click Here For Simple Heaters Instant Access Now!

All that one would need is to be able know how to tap the power of the sun and to be able to harness it to convert into electricity. In fact, there are hardware stores where you could buy kits and all you have to do is assemble the solar water heaters.

Many people are worried that building their own solar heater could cost them so much that the advantages it brings could not outweigh the cost of building it. However, this is not the case. In fact, most of the materials that you need could be easily bought in any local hardware store. For the simplest design for making a solar water heater, you could use an old refrigerator radiator, some scrap of wood and old window panes.

It is not a secret that water heaters
consume a significant amount of electricity. If you could know how to make solar water heater, you could be assured that you could save up to 30% from your monthly electric bill. In today’s economy, a 30% drop in one of your main monthly expenses could significantly improve your financial stability.

Knowing how to make a solar heater is a must for all of us who wants to save money. In doing so, we are also able to save the environment in from the harmful effects that fossil fuel-generated electricity could bring.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

If you truly wish your source of energy to be independent, there are only a few choices: solar in the form of solar electric panels, hot water panels, and passive heating; wind generators for electric production and windmills for water pumping; and hydro electric generators.

A good rule of thumb is that once you eliminate the use of electricity for space heating, water heating, and cooking (electric stoves), most any house can be operated successfully from a solar, wind, or hydro system.

What is a Solar Panel?

Solar panels generate free power from the sun by converting sunlight to electricity with no moving parts, zero emissions, and no maintenance. The solar panel, the first component of a Solar Power System, is a collection of individual silicon cells that generate electricity from sunlight. The photons (light particles) produce an electrical current as they strike the surface of the thin silicon wafers. A single solar cell produces only about 1/2 (.5) of a volt. However, a typical 12 volt panel about 25 inches by 54 inches will contain 36 cells wired in series to produce about 17 volts peak output. If the solar panel can be configured for 24 volt output, there will be 72 cells so the two 12 volt groups of 36 each can be wired in series, usually with a jumper, allowing the solar panel to output 24 volts. When under load (charging batteries for example), this voltage drops to 12 to 14 volts (for a 12 volt configuration) resulting in 75 to 100 watts for a panel of this size.

Multiple solar panels can be wired in parallel to increase current capacity (more power) and wired in series to increase voltage for 24, 48, or even higher voltage systems. The advantage of using a higher voltage output at the solar panels is that smaller wire sizes can be used to transfer the electric power from the solar panel array to the charge controller & batteries.

Basic Types of Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels: The most efficient and expensive solar panels are made with Monocrystalline cells. These solar cells use very pure silicon and involve a complicated crystal growth process. Long silicon rods are produced which are cut into slices of .2 to .4 mm thick discs or wafers which are then processed into individual cells that are wired together in the solar panel.

Polycrystalline solar panels: Often called Multi-crystalline, solar panels made with Polycrystalline cells are a little less expensive & slightly less efficient than Monocrystalline cells because the cells are not grown in single crystals but in a large block of many crystals. This is what gives them that striking shattered glass appearance. Like Monocrystalline cells, they are also then sliced into wafers to produce the individual cells that make up the solar panel.

Amorphous solar panels: These are not really crystals, but a thin layer of silicon deposited on a base material such as metal or glass to create the solar panel. These Amorphous solar panels are much cheaper, but their energy efficiency is also much less so more square footage is required to produce the same amount of power as the Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline type of solar panel. Amorphous solar panels can even be made into long sheets of roofing material to cover large areas of a south facing roof surface.

Are you considering installing solar panels for your home?

Solar panels can be a great investment that not only saves you money and increases the value of your property, but also helps the environment while it’s helping your wallet and bank account.

You may probably wondering, commercially made Solar Panels are very expensive. Alternatively, you can build your own solar panel, if you can do some handyman work. Homemade solar panels are a lot cheaper comparing to their commercially made counterparts. Making solar panels really isn’t as complicated as you might think. To build a solar panel you will need some basic materials and a budget of about $150-$200 per solar panel that you want to build.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

In current times, with the electricity costs increasing rapidly, it may be a better option to find an alternative source of electrical energy. DIY magnetic generators will the perfect option to serve your cause. By installing a magnetic generator in your home, you can lessen your dependence on the electrical energy.

The best thing is, building a magnetic generator is not very difficult, provided you have access to proper information and required materials. To start with, you first need to decide how much electricity you need. After deciding the amount of electricity you need, select a system that replaces your daily power requirements either entirely or partially.

Many DIY magnetic energy generator guides are available in the market. You need to choose a guide that is easy to read and understand and provides comprehensive, step-by-step information, easy to comprehend. Besides, it will also help if the guide has suitable diagrams illustrating all the steps you need to follow when building a magnetic generator. Some guides also contain video tutorials and can simplify the installation process for you. You can easily find such DIY magnetic energy generator guides in any mega home improvement store.

You’ll then have to obtain and assemble all the materials needed to build a DIY magnetic energy generator. Such materials are easily available. You can buy them either over the Internet or over-the-counter.

You may require following components:

* 2 No. Diodes
* 1 No. Transistor
* 1 No. Ohm Linear Potentiometer
* 1 No. Neon Bulb Potentiometer
* 4 No. Alligator Clips
* 1 No. Ohm Resistor
* 2 x250g Enamel Coated Copper Wire
* 2 metres of High Current Wire

You may also need:

* Multimeter
* Soldering Iron
* Laser Tachometer

After collecting all the essential materials, assemble all the components including the rotor, the battery and the magnets. Based on your choice, you can either be off-grid or use a grid-tie system.

Thus, you can easily build a DIY magnetic generator in your home by referring to a reputed guide, and by collecting and assembling all the components.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

It’s not hard to build a bar. You will increase the potential for success by ensuring that you pay attention to the following tips and by being meticulous when performing your measurements. A bar can be a great addition to any home especially if you like to entertain fairly regularly.

Required Tools

1)Tape measure
2)Drill
3)Skill saw
4)Pencil
5)Hammer
6)Paper

Required Materials

1)Drywall
2)2″x4″ pine boards
3)Stain finish
4)Facing board
5)Counter top made from your choice of material
6)1.5″ screws

7)Plumbing materials if accessories are intended
8)Wainscoting to taste
9)Nails – cut & finish

Instructions

1)You will first need to measure your bar area. When taking measurements you should make certain that there is enough space for someone to walk behind the bar with an extra few inches or feet to enable the user to manoeuvre in the bar area readily. You should ensure that the overall height of the bar does not extend beyond 45 inches. Also the overall width at the base should be able to support your counter top. You will also need to make certain that there is overhang on either side to accommodate both the bartender and your guests. A good rule of thumb is 11 inches at the bartender’s area and 1 foot for your guest’s side.
2)Now you will need to create the box to act as a support for the bar top and extra accessories that will be used in the bar. You should have already allowed 45 inches of height for the length of the bar. If your bar will have a sink or a cooler you should at this point demonstrate this in your floor plan. At each corner of the box you should install 45 degree triangular blocks using a drill. These pieces should act as additional support for your box. For a bar that is much longer in length joists and studs should be put in place. Make sure that these are equally spaced apart during the installation period.
3)You can now start to “dress the box” or in other words install all the extra features that will make it a bar. You should install the support fixtures that will be used to house the shelves, cooler and sink. You may use 2X4 stock or a thinner cheaper one can be substituted if you are trying to reduce cost. Once you have completed this process you can begin assesing the work done thus far to determine where the holes will be drilled for the faucets, electrical cords and drain lines. You would probably have had general ideas of where these should be put once you began doing the layout. Go ahead and drill the holes once you are satisfied with your final decision.
4)The final step will be done once you install your counter. If you are using wood then all you will need to do is cut it to fit and then stain it to a lovely finish before installing it. If you will be using a pre-fabricated stone top then you should have it assessed professionally to ensure that the base will be able to handle the additional weight.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Mosaic photo frames make use of absolute waste material for designing. Broken ceramics, arbitrary shaped mirror chips, non-stringed beads etc. are perfect for making mosaic photo frame. Just make your creativity run wild and let a plain frame take its shape as a lovely mosaic photo frame. Presenting here is a step by step procedure to create a mosaic picture frame using expired gift cards, credit cards, club cards, health insurance cards etc. Check it out:

Material Needed

* A Wooden Frame
* Glue Gun
* Expired plastic cards like subway cards, health insurance cards, gift cards, credit cards etc.

Step 1

First of all, lay a newspaper on and around your work area. Now, take the old wooden frame and brush off the dust and dirt to make it a neat, usable frame.

Step 2

Next, cut the old credit cards, gift cards, subway cards etc. into tiny pieces with the help of a knife or sharp scissors.

Step 3

Arrange the card pieces in the desired fashion. The pieces can be arranged in a particular design pattern or arbitrarily, as per your desire.

Step 4

Once the design pattern is set, start picking one piece at a time and stick it as it is on the frame using a glue gun.

Step 5

Make sure that the glue has dried out completely before use or else the card pieces would end up chipping or falling off from the frame. All done, well, you are ready with a waste card mosaic photo frame!

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com