There are many advantages to solar power, even though it can be expensive to buy a new solar panel, it’s also possible to build your own. If you can generate more electricity than you use you could potentially save yourself a lot of money in the long run. You can help protect the environment and save energy at the same time.

Now that many states are starting to offer incentives for going solar the prices of solar panels are starting to drop as production increases. This makes it the fastest growing technology of renewable energy in the world and it is expected that by the end of this year the global amount of megawatts generated by solar power could be as much as twenty thousand.

Photovoltaic solar panels generate electrical power by converting the light energy from the sun into electricity through the solar cells. It takes many photovoltaic solar panels to create a solar array, and the size of the array determines how much energy you can produce. The amount of usable energy that your array can produce depends on it’s configuration and position.

Both do it yourself types and the average consumer are really start to get attached to the idea of going solar. Not only are they popular just for enthusiasts wanting to install solar panels in their homes, but there are also a number of power stations which create dozens of megawatts of power. One country that has really taken solar energy to new levels is Spain which produces an impressive 60 megawatts of power.

With the increasing necessity for renewable energy, it is refreshing to know that you can make solar panels and get access to reliable technologies reliable technologies that can really supply us with a greener world while still being able to allow us to live with the modern conveniences that we have become accustomed to.

But just how much energy does 12v give you? Not enough to warm up your house, but enough to run some of your portable devices, or recharge their rechargeable batteries.

These portable panels operate like large solar panels, but generate less electricity due to their smaller size. Like their larger cousins, they function best under direct full sun conditions. They still work on cloudy and even rainy days, however, they will take a much longer time to generate the electricity to power your device. Most will not operate with indoor lighting, but there are solar panels being developed that will be able to use indoor light. Some have already reached the consumer market.

Great portable panel systems have built-in regulators, meaning they’ll mechanically correct the amount of energy they make to the amount that the device requires. So be sure that the portable panels you buy have this feature, otherwise there’s a risk of overcharging (or “frying”) the contraption that you’re trying to recharge.

You still need to be careful when handling portable solar panels, it’s not like you can go swimming with them. If you fold or crease the solar cell itself, you’ll probably fracture or disable it. So don’t fold the cell, or put the portable panels in the washing machine, or stab them with knifelike objects. A weight belt can survive a fair amount of abuse, but your portable solar panel will be out of luck.

One more word of caution: the portable solar panel can’t reload regular batteries. It can only charge rechargeable batteries. This may be obvious to you, but you’d be surprised how many people try to recharge ordinary batteries.

You will need additional connector equipment in order to use the portable panels, so plan for the additional expense. You’ll need connectors that fit with the recharging plugs on your portable devices. And if you plan to use your portable solar panels to trickle charge your car, boat or snowmobile battery, you might need a set of battery clips.

“Trickle charging” can keep your vehicle’s battery completely charged. Here’s how it works: place the portable solar panel on a surface where it receives the most sun; then plug it into the cigarette lighter socket, or attach the clips to the vehicle’s battery. This can be a great help in really cold climates where temperatures drop below freezing, and you have to keep your car parked outside all day.

Portable solar panels are still relatively expensive compared to using grid electricity at home or in the office. But they make sense if you spend a lot of time camping, hiking or working from your car. And they’re great backup systems for times when the power goes out.

Green DIY provides a complete package:

• Bonus eBooks on topics like the sizing solar array worksheet, electrical and wiring plans, installation and mounting plans, wind maps, and more.
• 6 videos that easily explain making a solar panel from beginning to end.
• 4 guide books: 2 solar guides and 2 wind guides
• 4 how to videos for building a wind turbine.

The videos vary in length and totally complete. Each video covers a different part of the build from beginning to end. I am a visual learner so I like the video series the best. Lifetime membership to Green DIY Energy, you always have access to the guide books and videos. As they make improvements or add information you get updated. It’s a product that continues to give long past the purchase date. They made a number of great improvements for 2010 to the guidebooks and the video series. They also have a technical support number and forum for members to use.

Nothing is perfect. For starters, I would like to have an actual book to hold and read through. The product is only available for download, but you get immediate access to all the manuals and videos. With the benefit of only printing out the pages that you need and with lifetime access you can always have an up to date copy. As with any DIY project you really need to make a plan that is fairly easy to execute. Each of the guidebooks walks you thoogh each phase of planning out your diy project from start to finish. Most people I talk to about solar energy think only of using it on attached to their house. There are other great things you can do with solar energy. You can make a portable solar energy system to take with you car camping or tailgating. Why? Because it’s cool, and you can save your car battery. Getting out in the open can have a whole new meaning. Green DIY Energy is a great course for people seeking out alternative energy sources, and I recommend you check it out if you want to reduce your electric bill and do your part for the environment. Green DIY Energy Retails for 49.97

First – Cost
It’s incredibly important to look into the cost of the solar energy system that you would like to add to your home. On average a 4k system or a solar panel system that can produce 4000 watts day will cost about $25,000 dollars. Prices vary from city to city so it’s important to talk to several contractors before you sign anything.
You also want to know if your state or local utility will can offset the cost with rebates or incentives. If you are planning to make your own solar panels then check with your power company to make sure they can be tested and certified to meet their requirements. Otherwise you will not be able to connect your solar panel array to the grid. If you are not planning on tying to the grid, say for a cabin or RV system then you are not bound by restrictions, but will not be able to apply for any rebates.

Second – New Technology
If you read the news about solar energy research, you will be amazed at the number of companies that are developing new systems and products. Solar energy research is a worldwide growth industry, with new technologies being made every month. There is a real temptation to hold off on your solar energy project so you can use the latest technology. But not every experimental product with market potential actually makes it to the consumer. Solar panels are no different than any other new product in the process of research and development. Sometimes the best plans just don’t work out as planned, or are just too expensive to produce. It’s always a gamble to wait too long for breakthroughs in new technology. If wait too long before you buy solar panels you might be unnecessarily blowing several months or years of using your solar energy system.

Third – Old Technology
Are you afraid of buying or make solar panels right before the next new product breakthrough? This dilemma is the other side of the coin from waiting too long for a breakthrough. The fear is that a cost effective and better technology is right around the corner, but you just spent thousands on old technology. You can do a lot to prevent this scenario by doing a little research on the internet or the library. There are professional websites that have the latest news on industrial R and D (research and development), and forecast when new products will reach the consumer market. But many of these journals cost several hundreds or thousands of dollars for a yearly subscription, so only libraries can afford them. If your library doesn’t subscribe, ask your librarian to get it for you. Then you’ll need to decide whether you want to wait for the newest product, or go with a traditional energy system that might be more reliable and predictable because it has withstood the test of time.

Green DIY provides a complete package:

• Bonus eBooks on topics like the sizing solar array worksheet, electrical and wiring plans, installation and mounting plans, wind maps, and more.
• 6 videos that easily explain making a solar panel from beginning to end.
• 4 guide books: 2 solar guides and 2 wind guides
• 4 how to videos for building a wind turbine.

The videos vary in length and totally complete. Each video covers a different part of the build from beginning to end. I am a visual learner so I like the video series the best. Lifetime membership to Green DIY Energy, you always have access to the guide books and videos. As they make improvements or add information you get updated. It’s a product that continues to give long past the purchase date. They made a number of great improvements for 2010 to the guidebooks and the video series. They also have a technical support number and forum for members to use.

Nothing is perfect. An actual book to hold and read would be great.. The product is only available for download, but you get immediate access to all the manuals and videos. With the benefit of only printing out the pages that you need and with lifetime access you can always have an up to date copy. As with any DIY project you really need to make a plan that is fairly easy to execute. The manuals take you through each phase of planning out your project from beginning to end. Most people I talk to about solar energy think only of using it on attached to their house. There are other great things you can do with solar energy. You can make a portable solar energy system to take with you car camping or tailgating. Why? Because it’s cool, and you can save your car battery. Getting out in the open can have a whole new meaning. Green DIY Energy is a great course for people seeking out alternative energy sources, and I recommend you check it out if you want to reduce your electric bill and do your part for the environment. Green DIY Energy Retails for 49.97