Chris asks…
why solar panels are being installed on light poles?
I pass about 3 township every day for my commute. I have seen Solar panels are been installed on the street light poles in every town that I pass.
Some of the poles do not have any Light Bulbs on the top – but still the panels are installed.
I wonder why the panels are for – Of course the obvious reason to send the light energy from the sun to the grid.
Is That it.
Henry Dover answers:
Next time you drive by, take a closer look. There should also be a square metal box about midway on the pole. This is where the battery is located for this stand alone system. By configuring the light in this way, all the suns energy is collected during the day by the solar panels. They in turn send it to the battery in the box which stores this energy and delivers it to the light at night when needed. The next day, the sun replenishes the discharged batterys and the cycle gos on and on. Free energy! I like it!
If you don’t see any lights on the pole then that probably means that the pole and panels are generating power for another fixture located elsewhere ( perhaps in the shade?) . It is definitely powering something. Look closer next time maybe you will see a camera or a emergency phone attached to the pole.
Richard asks…
Is this the reason why solar panels are energy efficient?
Solar panels in houses will definitely reduce energy usage as it does not involve ongoing dependence on non-renewable energy sources such as coal-burning power plants. These coal power plants generate tremendous amounts of electricity through the burning of coal though it heavily pollutes the environment. Solar panels are a much cleaner renewable alternative as it is utilises the sun’s energy and converts it into electricity. The great thing about solar panels is that when used with conventional electricity it reduces your electricity bill hugely and when used alone you have no electricity bill to pay as it using the sun’s free energy. It can also be used for generating hot water.
PS-I wrote it by myself
Henry Dover answers:
The use of photovoltaic technology for producing power is environmentally friendly. Is uses naturally occurring sunlight as its source and gives off no emissions. It doesn’t pollute the air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of power generation. The passive energy created is both economical and abundant.
Jenny asks…
Why isn’t there a requirement that buildings install solar energy panels?
I have been hearing dire prediction of things to come because of global warming and the fact we are running low on fossil fuels sources, there is a possibility of widespread blackouts next summer.
Why aren’t government buildings and all homes and commercial buildings that are located in areas that get so hot they require airconditioning required to install solar panels? Why isn’t it part of building codes?
I was told it’s too expensive to require that in every building.
My sister who lives in Tempe Arizona told me that many people did install solar panels but they didn’t work out because when they need maintenance or repairs you can’t find qualified people to do the work. Is this the true?
Well, it just doesn’t make sense to me why the sun couldn’t be used to cool the very buildings it makes too hot to occupy.. Any information?
Henry Dover answers:
Yes, you have answered your own question, for the most part. The main reason is price.
And to those who say that the oil companies wouldn’t be able to sell more oil, this is true, however, also take a look at what companies are investing in research for solar panels. The world’s largest solar research program is owned by British Petroleum (BP). And to the person who said that most people in government are also involved with oil companies…. WRONG. Everyone who works for the government involves people from Senators and Congressmen (who you’re talking about) all the way down to the ditch diggers in the city you live in. The majority of govt. Employees are in no position to benefit from oil companies. In fact, at $3/gal, they’re hurting us just as bad as everyone else in this country.
Maria asks…
Why are solar panels placed on the roof of houses?
Why are they placed there? How come they aren’t placed on the floor or window.
My fiance and I are interested in putting solar panels on our new home. I was really curious and google wasn’t giving me the answer. My roof is pretty small in our new house and I don’t think it would fit there. Why is it usually placed there and is there another place? You will be chosen as best answer if you answer all my questions. Thanks in advance, and I would appreciate if nobody is rude. Otherwise, I will have to report abuse.
Henry Dover answers:
Solar panels are placed on the roof because many times the roof has good exposure to the sun providing the roof is not blocked by trees or something else so that sufficient sunlight wouldn’t be absorbed. Also the panels would more likely not get damaged on the roof opposed to being in the yard. If they were mounted on the windows, how could you see? And, the windows could easily break and then what would happen to the panels? Placing the solar panels on the floor would not be practical. A lot of sunlight is needed for the cells to produce electricity and how much goes on the floor? Most roofs are at an angle which could perhaps improve the amount of sunlight the panels would get, and roofs provide a lot of unused space. The roof is the best place. Furthermore, roof solar panels are available now to blend in better with the roof so that they are more pleasing to the eye. Even if you have a small roof, some panels could be placed there provided the roof is not blocked so that the sunlight it gets would be sufficient (about 4 or 5 hours of sunlight a day is needed). And, if you needed addition panels, they could be mounted in your yard as long as the mount was close to your power box and received sufficient sunlight.
I applaud your desire to use solar panels. You could possibly save 50 – 90% on your electric bill and help your environment at the same time! A Win – Win situation!!
Lisa asks…
Why are solar panels not that efficient?
I don’t remember what number exactly but it’s in the single digits. This number represents how efficient solar panels are at capturing the sun’s rays and converting it into electricity.
Why?
Henry Dover answers:
First off, single digit power conversion are those on bendable cells like the ones used on handheld calculators.
Moving on to the question…
In very layman terms, solar cells are inherently inefficient since the basic principles of the solar industry has remained the same for decades. There have been improevments but the full potential of solar energy is still to come in the future when a revolution in either base cell or cell composition is discovered. Maybe then we’ll be looking at 50% or more efficient cells.
For one reason, solar panel power conversion is very limited by the substrate which they use.
The more economical, sensible and less life-threatening substrates like silicon are usually the ones that give back less power.
Solar panels using silicon-based cells are cheaper to manufacture and usually use “less dangerous” industry standard chemicals like phosphorus, aluminum and boron are yet to be more than 30% efficient. The cells i’m working on now (at least the ones that are available in the market) are about 22% (arguably the best in the market although not the cheapest).
If you wish to increase the power conversion, you might use “more dangerous” albeit also industry standard chemicals like gallium and arsenic.
Another reason is obscurity. Since big oil is still pretty big and solar is still considered as alternative, less scientific effort is focused on developing solar technology.
If you wish to do self-study on device physics for more technical details on solar cells, you can visit this site:
http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom
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