As demand for solar panel installation has risen sharply, especially for installations larger than balcony power plants, the order books of solar companies are full. If you ask for a quote today, you may have to wait a while, if your request isn't simply postponed indefinitely. Another consequence of the solar boom is that some companies are charging very high prices for installations. Yet there is an obvious and radical solution to the problem of excessive prices: Do it yourself, as the English say. The price of materials is currently affordable, and it's the ideal time for those who do the work themselves. They couldn't save more. Add to this the satisfaction of doing something useful, both economically and ecologically, and the pleasure of building yourself. In this special issue, you'll find a wide selection of Elektor assemblies, from solar panel controllers to solar water heaters and solar panel orientation systems. The issue also contains practical information on solar panel installation and the technology behind them. Finally, there are a number of articles on the subject of balcony power plants, from how to install them to how to connect them to the Internet... Contents BASICS Dimensioning Photovoltaic Panel ArraysAn introduction to photovoltaic energy and the commonest techniques,followed by simplified calculation models and setup guidelines. Light Sensor TechnologyMeasuring daylight using LEDs. Solar Power Made SimpleSolar charging with and without a controller. Cable Cross-sections and Energy Losses in Solar SystemsKey considerations on the minimum values to respect for electricalcurrent in solar panel cabling. Solar ModulesEverything you always wanted to know about solar panels... Ideal Diode ControllerDiode Circuits with Low Power Dissipation. TIPS Tracking for Solar Modules zBot Solar/Battery Power Supply Solar Cell Array Charger with Regulator Solar Cell Voltage Regulator Solar-Powered Night Light Alternative Solar Battery Charger PROJECTS Energy LoggerMeasuring and Recording Power Consumption. Tiny Solar SupplySunlight In, 3.3 V Out. A Do-It-Yourself DTURead Data from Small Inverters by μC. Solar ChargerPortable energy for people on the move. Solar Thermal Energy RegulatorMaximum power point tracking explored. 2-amp Maximum Power Tracking ChargerSolar Power To The Max. Computer-driven HeliostatFollow the sun or the stars. Garden LightingUsing solar cells. Solar Panel Voltage Converter for IoT DevicesYes we CAN exploit indoor lighting. Travel ChargerFree power in the mountains. Solar Cell Battery Charger/MonitorWith protection against deep discharge. Solar-powered Battery ChargerPIC12C671 avoids overcharging and deep charging. Converters for Photovoltaic PanelsContributed by TME (Transfer MultisortElektronik). Solar Charging RegulatorFor panels up to 53 watts. Solar-Powered ChargerFor lead-acid batteries. CAN Bus + Arduino for Solar PV Cell MonitoringDetect and locate serviceable panels in large arrays. Balcony Power Plant 2.0The latest: solar panels, installation and inverters

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