Sunday, 24 February 2013
How to Charge Solar Batteries
Benefits of Solar Battery Chargers
This lack of a typical electrical source also offers some subtler benefits. Solar cells generate no emissions, waste or byproducts; those photons that aren't used simply pass through the silicon or bounce off of it as they would any other material. Remember, this electricity is produced by the transfer of energy from photon to electron, which frees the electron and allows it to flow. Electricity is not itself a form of energy, but an energy carrier. Producing it through the photoelectric effect is a benign way of generating an electrical charge.
However, the electricity that's produced around the world is often much less benign from an environmental standpoint. For example, in 2008, nearly half of the electricity generated in the United States came from the burning of coal . While coal is a cheap and easy way to generate electricity, it's also a major source of pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that coal-fire power plants generate 59 percent of the sulfur dioxide in the air within the U.S., as well as 50 percent of the particulate pollutants. What's more, coal-fired power plants also contribute heavily to mercury pollution
Freedom of movement and environmental friendliness are the two biggest reasons to own a solar battery charger. However, there are also a few drawbacks to solar charging. Chief among them is that for around half of any given day (outside of the Earth's polar regions), the sun is nowhere to be found. The absence of photons showering from space makes any solar power device all but useless at night. Bad weather and heavy cloud cover also have a big impact on how well a solar cell operates. Even in bright sunlight, most solar cells currently in production are only about 10 percent efficient, which makes them slower than chargers that plug into a wall outlet
Still, if you find yourself trapped in the woods, you'll likely conclude that a solar battery charger was a great invention indeed.
How Solar Battery Chargers Work
Mechanics of Solar Battery Chargers
The sun has been sending light and heat to the Earth for several billion years. Yet, only recently have we humans figured out how to capture and harness some of this energy as electricity. The first method was the photovoltaic cell created by researchers at Bell Laboratories in 1954 Since then, solar cells have evolved from transforming sunlight into usable electricity for huge, expensive space equipment to more down-to-earth devices like battery chargers. That's great, but how is this solar energy translated into electricity?This is how it happens: An electrical current is created by the movement of free electrons, which carry a negative charge. Normally, electrons are entangled in an orbit around the nucleus of an atom, which is made of protons and neutrons. These atomic particles are the building blocks of matter and can be found in absolutely everything. Some matter holds its electrons more tightly than others, but given enough energy, an electron can be knocked loose from its orbit.
One particle of energy that does a fine job of knocking electrons loose from atoms is the photon. This is the subatomic energy packet that forms the basis for light. Photons from sunlight carry enough energy to jar electrons from their orbit in the element silicon, which is the material used in most solar cells. The photon's ability to disentangle electrons is called the photoelectric effect
An imbalance between positively charged and negatively charged particles is created within the silicon by adding the impurities boron and phosphorus. This imbalance creates an electrical field in the silicon. When photons strike the material and break electrons free from their orbits, this electrical field pushes them toward the front of the solar cell, which creates a negatively charged side. The protons left behind on the other side of the cell surface create a positive charge When these two sides are connected using an external load -- an indirect circuit like the terminals of this solar battery charger -- the electrons flow into the load and creates electricity. Since a single solar cell only produces one or two watts of electricity, multiple cells are combined to form modules that work together to produce enough power to charge a battery
Chemical batteries generate electron flow through a chemical reaction. Lithium-ion batteries, like those found in cell phones and iPods, create energy through an exchange of ions from lithium to carbon. In both types of batteries, electricity is created by the flow from negative to positive electrodes. When a battery is recharged, the flow of electrons reverses itself, and the battery's electrical potential is replenished.
Solar battery chargers don't directly charge the lithium ion battery in your gadget. They usually maintain their own rechargeable batteries -- either chemical or lithium-ion -- that are charged through the solar modules and redistribute their charge to your gadget. No external electrical source is required.
How to Wire a Solar Battery Charger
How to Connect Solar Batteries
How Does Solar Energy Work?
There are a number of different methods that can be used to make solar energy work. In the broadest sense, nearly all energy on Earth can be technically attributed to solar energy, but most of it would be hard to harness for human use. It is the implementation of technology such as heat collectors and photovoltaic systems that make solar energy work for humans in ways that are practical. Some of this technology is implemented on an industrial scale, while other technology is designed specifically for personal use.
The two main products the sun produces are light and heat. As such, it is not surprising that the technologies used to make solar energy work focus on taking advantage of these two areas. Solar water heaters used in residential applications often take advantage of heat collectors, as one example. Alternatively, photovoltaic systems, or solar panels, collect light and convert it to electricity.
As with any type of energy, solar energy can only work when it can be properly converted in some way. Whether this is with plants through a natural process of photosynthesis, or through human engineering, conversion happens at some process. Entropy, or the second law of thermal dynamics, states that in any conversion, potential energy in the initial state will always be greater than the potential energy in the converted state. Thus, solar energy projects seek to find ways to convert that energy as efficiently as possible.
For industrial solar production, heat collectors seem to be where most of the focus is. These systems are often placed in lines and look somewhat like curved troughs. The suns rays hit the highly reflective surface of the troughs, which concentrate the heat on a conduit located just in front of the reflectors. Inside that tube is a liquid that is heated to very high levels, often more than 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit (more than 3,000 degrees Celsius).
A conversion process is still needed to make this type of solar energy work, however. The heated liquid is then transferred to another location, where it produces steam. The steam is then used to turn turbines, which is directly responsible for making the electricity. This electricity is then placed on a grid so it can be delivered to the end user.
Photovoltaics is another method use to make solar energy work in a practical application. Some materials can produce an electric spark as they are hit by light. That electricity can then be stored in batteries, or be used directly. This is how most solar-powered light products work, though the lumens produced in these lights are generally not as high as using electricity from more conventional methods. This technology is advancing rapidly, and becoming more efficient every year.
The two main products the sun produces are light and heat. As such, it is not surprising that the technologies used to make solar energy work focus on taking advantage of these two areas. Solar water heaters used in residential applications often take advantage of heat collectors, as one example. Alternatively, photovoltaic systems, or solar panels, collect light and convert it to electricity.
As with any type of energy, solar energy can only work when it can be properly converted in some way. Whether this is with plants through a natural process of photosynthesis, or through human engineering, conversion happens at some process. Entropy, or the second law of thermal dynamics, states that in any conversion, potential energy in the initial state will always be greater than the potential energy in the converted state. Thus, solar energy projects seek to find ways to convert that energy as efficiently as possible.
For industrial solar production, heat collectors seem to be where most of the focus is. These systems are often placed in lines and look somewhat like curved troughs. The suns rays hit the highly reflective surface of the troughs, which concentrate the heat on a conduit located just in front of the reflectors. Inside that tube is a liquid that is heated to very high levels, often more than 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit (more than 3,000 degrees Celsius).
A conversion process is still needed to make this type of solar energy work, however. The heated liquid is then transferred to another location, where it produces steam. The steam is then used to turn turbines, which is directly responsible for making the electricity. This electricity is then placed on a grid so it can be delivered to the end user.
Photovoltaics is another method use to make solar energy work in a practical application. Some materials can produce an electric spark as they are hit by light. That electricity can then be stored in batteries, or be used directly. This is how most solar-powered light products work, though the lumens produced in these lights are generally not as high as using electricity from more conventional methods. This technology is advancing rapidly, and becoming more efficient every year.
What is a Solar Battery?
A solar battery is one that receives its energy from the sun or from some other light source through the use of photovoltaics. In most cases, a solar-powered battery is implanted in an electronic device and not capable of being removed. A solar battery is usually capable of fully charging after just an hour or two of exposure to sunlight.
The surest evidence of a solar battery is an array of solar cells, usually in a line or perhaps in a block, somewhere on the device. These cells collect the light and cause electrons in semiconductors to begin to move along that semiconductor and to metal contacts. Once at these metal contacts, the energy generated can then be stored in a solar battery, or it may be put to direct use.
If that energy is stored, the solar battery will discharge it at the appropriate time. For example, that time may be when it is turned on by a person, or it may come on automatically, as with some lighting applications. The power is then drawn from the solar battery much like it would be any other battery.
The types of solar batteries most often used are lead acid and nickel cadmium. The lead acid batteries are cheaper, but come with a number of restrictions, such as not being able to be fully discharged. Nickel cadmium batteries do not have these restrictions, but are generally more expensive. In the long run, given the durability of the battery, this may be the most economical option. Most products with a solar battery will make use of nickel cadmium.
While much talk has been made about the potential of solar energy as an alternative energy source, there are some drawbacks to solar power. Currently, the technology is mainly used only for smaller electronic applications. While it may be possible to build a solar power system that will take care of home energy needs, the solar batteries needed would be immense. There are systems available, but they are prohibitively expensive for most people.
Despite these limitations, the solar battery still has numerous practical uses. It can be used for lighting, as previously mentioned. In this case, it saves the landscaper from having to run wires to lights, which can be a significant hassle. Plus, the energy gained is free. Other applications include calculators and keyring displays. However, those wishing to use this technology with a calculator should make sure it has a solar battery. Many calculators simply convert light to electrical energy for immediate use but have no ability to store that energy.
The surest evidence of a solar battery is an array of solar cells, usually in a line or perhaps in a block, somewhere on the device. These cells collect the light and cause electrons in semiconductors to begin to move along that semiconductor and to metal contacts. Once at these metal contacts, the energy generated can then be stored in a solar battery, or it may be put to direct use.
If that energy is stored, the solar battery will discharge it at the appropriate time. For example, that time may be when it is turned on by a person, or it may come on automatically, as with some lighting applications. The power is then drawn from the solar battery much like it would be any other battery.
The types of solar batteries most often used are lead acid and nickel cadmium. The lead acid batteries are cheaper, but come with a number of restrictions, such as not being able to be fully discharged. Nickel cadmium batteries do not have these restrictions, but are generally more expensive. In the long run, given the durability of the battery, this may be the most economical option. Most products with a solar battery will make use of nickel cadmium.
While much talk has been made about the potential of solar energy as an alternative energy source, there are some drawbacks to solar power. Currently, the technology is mainly used only for smaller electronic applications. While it may be possible to build a solar power system that will take care of home energy needs, the solar batteries needed would be immense. There are systems available, but they are prohibitively expensive for most people.
Despite these limitations, the solar battery still has numerous practical uses. It can be used for lighting, as previously mentioned. In this case, it saves the landscaper from having to run wires to lights, which can be a significant hassle. Plus, the energy gained is free. Other applications include calculators and keyring displays. However, those wishing to use this technology with a calculator should make sure it has a solar battery. Many calculators simply convert light to electrical energy for immediate use but have no ability to store that energy.
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