How Solar Cells Work

You've probably seen calculators with solar cells -- devices that never need batteries and in
some cases, don't even have an off button. As long as there's enough light, they seem to work
forever. You may also have seen larger solar panels, perhaps on emergency road signs, call
boxes, buoys and even in parking lots to power the lights.

Although these larger panels aren't as common as solar-powered calculators, they're out there
and not that hard to spot if you know where to look. In fact, photovoltaics -- which were
once used almost exclusively in space, powering satellites' electrical systems as far back as
1958 -- are being used more and more in less exotic ways. The technology continues to pop
up in new devices all the time, from sunglasses to electric vehicle charging stations.

The hope for a "solar revolution" has been floating around for decades -- the idea that one day
we'll all use free electricity from the sun. This is a seductive promise, because on a bright,
sunny day, the sun's rays give off approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of
the planet's surface. If we could collect all of that energy, we could easily power our homes
and offices for free.

In this article, we will examine solar cells to learn how they convert the sun's energy directly
into electricity. In the process, you will learn why we're getting closer to using the sun's
energy on a daily basis, and why we still have more research to do before the process
becomes cost-effective.

Photovoltaic Cells: Converting Photons to

Electrons
The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are also called photovoltaic (PV)
cells, which as the name implies (photo meaning "light" and voltaic meaning "electricity"),
convert sunlight directly into electricity. A module is a group of cells connected electrically
and packaged into a frame (more commonly known as a solar panel), which can then be
grouped into larger solar arrays, like the one operating at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Going Solar, Going Green

Adding solar panels to an existing home can be expensive -- but there are lots of other ways to
make your home greener. Learn more about what you can do to protect the environment at
Discovery Channel's Planet Green.

Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon, which
is currently used most commonly. Ba¬sically, when light strikes the cell, a certain portion of
it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed
light is transferred to the semiconductor. The energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to
flow freely.

PV cells also all have one or more electric field that acts to force electrons freed by light
absorption to flow in a certain direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by placing
metal contacts on the top and bottom of the PV cell, we can draw that current off for external
use, say, to power a calculator. This current, together with the cell's voltage (which is a result
of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can
produce.

That's the basic process, but there's really much more to it. On the next page, let's take a
deeper look into one example of a PV cell: the single-crystal silicon cell.

SOLAR CHARGER

Solar charger employs solar energy to supply electricity to devices or charge batteries. They
are generally portable.

Solar chargers can charge lead acid or Ni-Cd battery bank up to 48 V & hundreds Ampere-
Hours (up to 400AH) capacity. For such type of solar chargers, generally intelligent charge
controllers are used. A series of solar cell array plates are installed separetly on roof top and
can be connected to battery bank. Such arrangement can also be used in addition to mains
supply chargers for energy saving during day times.

Most portable chargers can obtain energy from the sun only. Portable wind turbines are also
sold. Some, including the Kinesis K3, can work either way. Examples of solar chargers in
popular use include:

 Small portable models designed to charge a range of different mobile phones, cell
phones, ipods or other portable audio equipment.
 Fold out models designed to sit on the dashboard of an automobile and plug into the
cigar lighter, to keep the battery topped up whilst not in use.
 Torches, often combined with a secondary means of charging, such as a kinetic
charging system





A rain sensor or rain switch is a switching device actuated by rainfall. It is a device connected to an
automatic ...............system that causes the system to shut down in the event of rainfall.

 Rain sensor wirelessly alerts timer or automatic system to shut off the cover
during rainfall
 Adjustable settings for rainfall trigger from 1/8-inch to 1 inch
 Solar-powered sensor needs no electricity, wires, or replaced batteri

Specifications
Manufacturer:
Manufacturer Product No.:
UPC:
Dimensions: Receiver: 2 7/8" x 3 3/4" x 1 1/16"; transmitter: 3" x 1 1/8"
x 4 1/4"; solar panel: 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" x 7/8" *******
Wireless Range: 200' (61m)
Rain Settings: 1/8" to 1" (3mm to 25mm)
Freeze Set Point: 37° F +/- 2° (3° C +/- 1°)
Power: Solar trickle-charge battery
LED Status Lights: Low battery, active sensor, sensor override
Relay Contacts Output: Normally open and normally closed (3A @ 24V AC)
Operating Temperature: 12° F to 140° F (-10° C to 60° C)
Transmitter Switch: Rain only, rain/freeze, sensor off
Mounting Brackets: Gutter mount and flat-surface mount
Warranty:
Do Rain Sensors Really Save Money?
By: Craig Borglum

Home | Home-and-Family

Unrated

Your Rating

Most states and/or cities in the U.S. now require rain sensors by law. They are simple to install and
pay for themselves quickly.

For this reason every lawn sprinkler system should have a rain sensor. The rain sensor determines
whether or not enough rainfall has occurred in order to skip an irrigation cycle.

There are 3 basic types of rain interrupters. They all serve the same purpose: keeping your system
from over-watering the turf or your garden. How does it do that?

The electrical connection between the sensor and your sprinkler system controller is interrupted
when a certain amount of rain triggers the device. The sensor breaks the electrical connection so
that electricity cannot flow to either the sprinkler valves or to a pump start (if your system is on a
well without a pressure tank).

One type breaks the connection by weighing the water in a rainfall collection cup. The problem with
this type is that leaves, sticks, or the occasional lizard will find its way into the collection cup and
therefore turning off the system.

The next type uses electrodes to determine how much water is in the collection cup. This kind of rain
sensor device also has a system problem of collecting things other than rainfall in the collection cup.

The most common type of rain sensor used by professionals is the expansion disk device. This kind of
sensor does not use a collection cup; instead rainfall causes cork disks to expand. This device uses a
pressure switch to break the electrical connection. These can be adjusted in increments of ¼" to the
desired rain fall setting. These adjustments can be configured to kick in from 1 to a 1/2" of rain has
fallen.

The most important aspect of installing a rain sensor is where to place it. It should be installed in an
area that is unobstructed by trees, roof over hangs, or anything else that might block rain from
getting to the sensor.

Wired rain sensors are usually installed by the timer. The wires should be connected inside the
controller's valve wiring panel. This allows for easier electrical trouble-shooting of the system as the
sensor can be easily disconnected.

In the last few years, FM wireless rain sensors have become very popular. Although they are more
expensive than the wired devices, the ease of installation and increased placement options offset
the cost. Most wireless units come with by-pass switches built into the device.

Some digital controllers also offer by-pass options for both wired devices and wireless rain sensors.
No matter the type of rain sensor type that you choose, all rain sensors offer many advantages over
not adding this detector to your automatic sprinkler system.

Some of the immediate and long term benefits include:

- Saves Money. Whether you pay for city water or spend electricity running a pump, the money you
save over time will more than pay for the rain sensor.

- Extends Sprinkler System Life Span. Sprinklers are made up of gears and other parts that move. The
less the sprinkler parts are used, the longer they last.

- Protects Water Resources. By limiting the over use of your sprinkler system, rain sensors reduce
excess water run-off that carries fertilizers and pest control chemicals into our shared water supply.

- Conserves Water. Less water is wasted when less supplemental water is needed for your turf and in
your garden.

How much money can you save with a rain sensor device? It will vary based on your water source
(city, re-claim, or well) and where you live (water costs, electrical rate, climate).

Here is one example that demonstrates the benefits listed above: Seminole County, Florida. System
Description:

- Designed to irrigate a quarter acre of grass and programmed to apply ½" of water every time the
system runs.

- This schedule would equal 6,788 gallons per irrigation cycle.

- This system (on City Water) pays $2.30 per thousand gallons.

- Every time the rains sensor interrupts a sprinkler cycle, you would save $15.61

According to a recent study in Florida, the use of a rain sensor device averaged a 45% savings in
water for single-family residential water usage. The next time you see a sprinkler system running in
the rain, you now know it doesn't have to be that way. Rain sensors save money, save our
environment and save water.

Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Do-Rain-Sensors-Really-Save-

Money-/264545#ixzz13PgC3UOh
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