Fuel cells are electrochemical devices which convert the energy of a chemical reaction directly into electricity, with heat as a by-product. Fuel cells are being used now to power buses, boats, trains, planes, scooters, forklifts, even bicycles. Basically, these electrochemical devices convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, heat, and water. Some think they are poised to become the leading energy source of the 21st century in a range of applications such as transport, stationary power and even laptop computers.

Hydrogen is used as the fuel in this chemical reaction. Hydrogen combustion, like that of petroleum, is limited by the Carnot efficiency (a fundamental limit on the thermal efficiency of heat engines), but is completely different from the hydrogen fuel cell’s chemical conversion process of hydrogen to electricity and water without combustion. Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water during use, while the majority of hydrogen production creates carbon dioxide emissions. Hydrogen is an energy carrier, and not an energy source, because it must be produced by adding energy from other energy sources, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas,  wind power, or solar photovoltaic cells.

A  high power solar panel is capable of producing above 20 percent efficiency. The first ever large scale deployment and use of solar energy was developed for space satellites. USA was the first country to enable production of solar cells that gave 20% efficiency and this was in the year 1980. By 2000, USA had produced several solar cells that were producing 24% efficiency. Recently several large companies have risen to dominate the world of solar cell production by producing cells that give 28% efficiency. From these a truly high power solar panel can be constructed.

The  solar panel basically consists of pure silicon. Silicon is first stripped of all its impurities and hence provides the most ideal neutral platform for enhancing the transmission of electrons. In its natural state, Silicon can carry at the max four electrons although it has the ability to carry eight. So mathematically speaking it has enough room for 4 more electrons.

When a silicon atom comes into contact with a second silicon atom then each of them balances charge by combining the  other’s extra four electrons. So the 8 electrons satisfy a single silicon atoms’ needs and this results in the creations of a strong bond but the fact is that there are no negative or positive charges. The production of pure silicon requires this process of combination over a period of time. Once the pure silicon is ready, it is applied on to the plates of  solar panel . When silicon is combined or doped with other elements it can then the produce a positive or negative charge.

The chronicle of solar panels can be dated back to 1839 as this was the period of time when French physicist Antoine-Cesar Becquerel made the astounding uncovering of the photovoltaic effect. This surprising discovery took place during an experiment that involved an  electrolytic cell made from two metal electrodes and was placed within an electrolyte solution. Becquerel discovered during the experiment that when the electrolytic cells were exposed to light, it produced small amount of electricity. As the light increased, the amount of electricity increased. This was the beginning of how  solar panel manifested.

Nearly a half century would pass before  the first was developed by Charles Fritts in 1883. He constructed selenium coating sheets with a micro-thin layer of gold to create his cell. Up to 1941 there were various scientists as well as inventors who started experimenting with solar energy. It was during this period of time that Clarence Kemp, an inventor from Baltimore patented the first ever commercial water heater powered by solar energy. Albert Einstein published a thesis on photoelectric effect and within a short period of time received the Nobel Prize for his thesis and valuable research.

The first silicon solar cell was created and patented at Bell Labs an American inventor named Russell Oh in about 1941. By 1954 the Lab had created the ‘crystalline’ silicon solar panel. This was the most effective solar cells in that era as it achieved a 4 percent return on overall energy conversion. In the next few years several scientists from all over the world continued their research, study and experimentation to improve upon the original solar cells and started producing solar cells that gave 6% efficiency on overall energy conversion.

Survey: Japan Outpaced by Europe in Organic Semiconductor Solar …

Survey: Japan Outpaced by Euro…   Read more…

Solar panels are being looked as the provider of tomorrow as the other forms of creating electricity are getting replenished by the day. There are  several online sources and websites who are selling solar panels with a power range that varies from 10WP to 280WP.

Wind power is the method by which wind is used to generate electricity. To determine the efficiency of wind power generation, we need to know how the wind power system works. The wind turbines collect the power of the wind in two steps: the propeller blades are turned by the gusts of wind, and the propeller then turns a shaft connected to a generator. The method is just like hydro-power, but with wind acting as the energy source instead of flowing water.

Interestingly, wind is actually a form of  solar power – wind change and variability is caused by uneven heating of the ground by the sun. In order to fully use the power that the wind is capable of generating, many areas have set up wind farms. A wind farm consists of more than one wind turbine set up in an area. With all the wind turbines working at the same time, these farms are a great way to produce large amounts of electricity.

In general, a single wind turbine will convert about 20 percent of the energy in wind to electricity. The most efficient production occurs between five and 20 miles an hour of wind speed. This general 20 percent efficiency rating is roughly seven to five percent more efficient than solar power, but sunlight is constant whereas wind is not.

Just one wind turbine set up in an area will not produce very much electricity, and is not very good for powering large areas – these small turbines are usually used to power just one farm or house or occasionally to pump water.

Wind farms, when assembled in a large grouping of wind turbines in one area can produce much larger and more consistent volumes electricity.  Power can then be supplied to whole communities through existing utility grids or stored in battery-like storage cells.

Wind turbines can be set up to face the wind or face away from the wind. Modern wind turbines can also turn to catch the wind as it gusts from different angles, a factor which makes them far more efficient than before. The larger the turbine’s blades and the taller the turbine’s height will increase the efficiency as well.

The exact efficiency of  wind power generation from wind farms is nearly impossible to pinpoint. The problem is found in the factors that go into the analysis. The terrain, amount of wind, size of turbines and so on varies from wind farm to farm or place to place. There is no constant, which makes it difficult to nail down general efficiency ratings.

While wind technology has not yet progressed to a point where no energy is lost while harnessing it, it is fair to say that the principle is favorable compared to other renewable sources. Wind technologies have and are improving at a fairly constant rate. With advances in new and better materials and design concepts, creating electricity from the forces of natural wind hold great promise as one of the  best alternative energy sources for local power production .

Solar electrical power generation is the simplest, most dependable and renewable method of using alternative energy. It really depends what you’ve got in mind. If you’re a handy-person you could build your own safe and clean energy solar electric collectors or wind turbines for just a few hundred dollars.  The  energy constantly available to us as sunshine and wind is provided most every day. They just need to be harvested and put to use.

Solar energy has the most power generation density among all the renewable energy sources.   A solar electrical power system is the best way to supply electricity anywhere, especially when you consider that bringing utility service to a remote location typically costs between $10 to $15 per foot or roughly $50,000 to $75,000 per mile.  Millions of homes could be generating solar electrical power, if they just had the  information needed to understand and create systems to cultivate the energy of the sun into clean electricity.

Systems can certainly be built that will provide all your electricity requirements, especially in locations receiving a large number of solar days per year.  Home built alternative energy projects can meet these needs and for small fractions of large costs to merely attach to the grid. Fact is, a good system that produces more than you need can be set up to either charge batteries or feed power to back to the grid. Pretty cool to see the meter go backward.

If you are thinking about installing solar panels and have been checking out the prices for new ones, you will know that they are not cheap.  Solar photovoltaic panels are the most common method to  generating electricity . But there is now an easier way, you can learn how to make solar panels for all your home energy. There are now several guide books and DVDs that walk you step by step through the maze of putting a full system together.

A good set of instructions that could take you from evaluating your possibilities, through the planning, procurement, construction and maintenance of said system would be quite handy to get a hold of. Particularly if the price was good and you new the project was truly doable.  Go over HERE and just read up about one such system approach.

The solar energy available at the earth’s surface is around 1020 Watts per square meter and up to 20% of this can be captured by. In October 2008, Congress extended the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for eight years and removed the utility exemption, which prevented regulated utilities from owning or investing in solar electric projects. That opens the door for cooperation and many states require the utilities to credit you back for power sent to the grid. There are many and  residential solar power systems yield tax breaks which make solar electrical power both affordable and appealing as well.