The next step is to plan Ez Battery Reconditioning Course the practical stages of the installation and to set about gathering the components.To keep costs down many folks choose to make their own solar panels from components purchased on line (eBay and others have a range of these). Individual photo-voltaic cells are soldered together to produce solar panels producing around 18 volts, (the voltage required to charge 12 volt batteries) and encased in weather proof enclosures with glass or Plexiglas tops. Each panel also needs to have a heavy duty diode in series with the solar cells to prevent batteries discharging through the panels during darkness (think of this as a one way valve).
The panels are mounted so as to get maximum sunlight (often on rooftops) the precise orientation depends on geographic location (see link below). Once installed the panels are hooked up to a charge controller that charges a bank of deep cycle twelve volt batteries (the charge controller is there to charge the batteries evenly and prevent overcharging on long sunny summer days). The batteries are in turn connected to an inverter, (this turns the DC power from the batteries into AC power and its specification will vary depending on the size of your system and your local voltage and frequency). Finally the inverter feeds the power you have produced into the grid via the outgoing meter, or your own domestic ring main. You have the satisfaction of knowing that your friend in the sky is busy saving or making you money from dawn to dusk every day.
The author has been a renewable energy enthusiast for a number of years initially on environmental grounds, but in recent times with rising fuel costs has found there to be a strong economic case for renewables. Recent changes in legislation in many of the 'Western' countries - grants and rebates towards conversion costs and the ability to sell energy to the power companies as a 'micro-generator' now mean that for many of us going green makes a lot of financial sense. There is a wealth of information - videos, articles, and downloadable guides to solar power and other renewable energy sources on the Solar-Power-4-You website, click on the link below: