You can purchase or build a solar panel charger with a few materials. By using this system, you can recharge or maintain a charge in small appliances, batteries, and electronic devices with the DC power generated by the solar cells in the panel. If you want to convert the DC charge to AC, run it through an inverter. Then, you will be able to use the power in household appliances. You may need to connect a series of solar panels to obtain high enough amps to get the voltage required by your equipment.
A solar panel charger is convenient because all you need to run it is a period of direct sunlight on the panels. Each panel consists of solar modules, which in turn are filled with small solar collector cells. The cells convert sunlight energy into a small electrical charge, which is then conducted toward and stored within a storage battery. The power can then be used as DC current directly from the battery, or as AC current after passing through the inverter. It is clean, renewable energy, freely available anywhere the sun shines. The only problem with solar power is when there is no sunlight. For those times, the stored charge in the battery can be used, or you can use an alternate energy source, such as wind turbine power, or the available electric company power grid.
Small, portable solar panel charger systems are used by individuals to power electrical devices like MP3s, GPS units, marine or camping accessories, radios, televisions, and lighting. Ultra thin, flexible solar panels can be folded and easily transported by hand to remote locations for a power source. Rooftop units are larger, capture more sun energy, and are used in a grid for higher power needed at residences or businesses for appliances and lighting. To power an entire household would require a large solar panel charger system. Batteries can be stored on racks and connected in series or in parallel as needed. It is important to keep batteries dry and free of dirt or bugs. There can be dangers such as acid leaks or fire with batteries, but that is minimal and easy to prevent.
This system can be combined with wind power for a hybrid system, or used alone. Excess power generated can be sold back to local electrical company power grids to reduce or eliminate your monthly electric bill. Older houses can be refitted to use solar energy. New buildings can be designed to take advantage of both passive solar heat with sun control windows and window treatments, and southern facing large window walls, heat retaining materials, or heat reflecting materials, and there are new roofing tiles that are actual solar panels.
Using a solar panel charger system for electrical power is an environmentally friendly method for generating energy. Nothing is burned, so there is no hazardous waste produced, and the air is not altered. Batteries can be recycled and reused, so that also eliminates waste potential. The amount of power you can capture using a solar panel charger system is only limited by the space you have available for the panels. Larger, firm panels are durable enough to walk upon, and they can be mounted on the ground or on rooftop for better southern direct sunlight exposure.
Solar power has been used for centuries, but modern technology is bringing it home and into the budget of the average user. Up front costs are the highest, but once installed, you will benefit from virtually free energy thereafter, and raise home values. For businesses, going solar power is also a marketing advantage.