Description
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
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Dimensioning Photovoltaic Panel Arrays
An introduction to photovoltaic energy and the commonest techniques,
followed by simplified calculation models and setup guidelines.
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Light Sensor Technology
Measuring daylight using LEDs.
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Solar Power Made Simple
Solar charging with and without a controller.
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Cable Cross-sections and Energy Losses in Solar Systems
Key considerations on the minimum values to respect for electrical
current in solar panel cabling.
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Solar Modules
Everything you always wanted to know about solar panels...
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Ideal Diode Controller
Diode 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
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Energy Logger
Measuring and Recording Power Consumption.
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Tiny Solar Supply
Sunlight In, 3.3 V Out.
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A Do-It-Yourself DTU
Read Data from Small Inverters by μC.
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Solar Charger
Portable energy for people on the move.
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Solar Thermal Energy Regulator
Maximum power point tracking explored.
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2-amp Maximum Power Tracking Charger
Solar Power To The Max.
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Computer-driven Heliostat
Follow the sun or the stars.
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Garden Lighting
Using solar cells.
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Solar Panel Voltage Converter for IoT Devices
Yes we CAN exploit indoor lighting.
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Travel Charger
Free power in the mountains.
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Solar Cell Battery Charger/Monitor
With protection against deep discharge.
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Solar-powered Battery Charger
PIC12C671 avoids overcharging and deep charging.
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Converters for Photovoltaic Panels
Contributed by TME (Transfer MultisortElektronik).
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Solar Charging Regulator
For panels up to 53 watts.
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Solar-Powered Charger
For lead-acid batteries.
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CAN Bus + Arduino for Solar PV Cell Monitoring
Detect and locate serviceable panels in large arrays.
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Balcony Power Plant 2.0
The latest: solar panels, installation and inverters
