Scientists have long known that magnetism is a component of light, however this magnetism has largely been dismissed as being too weak to provide much use. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that light, when passing through a non-conductive material like glass, has magnetic effects that are about 100 million times stronger than previously believed. This magnetic effect is theoretically strong enough to generate power without the need for silicon solar cells.

Solar Energy Through Glass?

When light passes through certain materials the light’s magnetic field bends the electrons into a C-shape. This charge generates both an electric and magnetic dipole. With a large enough insulator it is theoretically possible to generate enough voltage to use as a power source.

Of course there is a big drawback to this process. It requires very intense light — millions of times stronger than what is produced through normal sunlight. Even so, the Michigan research team, lead by professor Stephen Rand, is not discouraged. They are planing additional studies using intensified sunlight, much like what is used to produce concentrated solar power. By using glass or clear ceramic lenses to focus the light it may eventually be possible to reach the intensity level necessary to make magnetic solar energy an economically viable option.

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for a line of efficient glass solar “cells” to hit the market. Still, it’s interesting research that we’ll hopefully be hearing more about in the near future.

Why is this a big deal? While similar efficiency levels have been achieved by larger manufacturers like Boeing and Emcore, Solar Junction’s rapid efficiency gains are quite remarkable for a company that is just 4-years-old. In addition, the Solar Junction cells appear to be readily manufacturable. The company plans to start rolling out these new high-efficiency solar cells in early 2012.

Multi-junction solar cells are a type of photovoltaic cell that is more efficient than standard silicon cells. While most silicon cells operate at around 15-20 percent efficiency, multi-junction cells are more than twice as efficient. These cells are made up of several layers of thin film and each layer captures some of the solar energy as it passes through the cell. More captured energy means more electrical output.

These multi-junction cells fit into concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) collectors, which use tiny mirrors and lenses to concentrate the light onto the cells. New CPV solar cells are able to concentrate light 1,000 times, a 100 percent increase over CPV collectors made just two years ago. Solar Junction projects that their multi-junction cells will achieve greater than 50 percent efficiency by 2016.

Will CPV be able to keep up with conventional solar panels on a cost-per-watt basis? That still remains to be seen. New developments in low-cost PV may mean that flat-panels remain the more attractive choice with consumers, even with higher-efficiency options on the market. Even so, CPV may find growth in areas where efficiency is paramount.

While fool’s gold is perhaps best known for its use as a cheap novelty gift, the research team found several characteristics that make it potentially well-suited for photovoltaic devices. It has a strong light absorption, similar to that of crystalline silicon. It also is a good semiconductor, allowing it to conduct electricity under certain conditions. What this means is that the material may be able to be synthesized into a polycrystalline pyrite film that can serve as the active layer in solar panels.

In fact, the research team at UC Irvine did just that–using a hot-injection technique to turn pyrite nanocrystals into a thin film similar to the crystalline silicon film used in most solar panels today. While further tests are needed to investigate the efficiency of iron pyrite solar cells, the potential exists for the development of new, inexpensive solar panels within the next 3-5 years.

The big question for me is not so much whether the efficiency of these pyrite cells can equal that of silicon (as they likely won’t) but whether it can match it on a cost-per performance basis. The biggest barrier to the adoption of solar energy right now is the high cost of photovoltaic panels. Can solar cells made with pyrite produce energy at a rate of around $1-2/ watt? If so then perhaps consumers will be willing accept a slightly lower efficiency (ie. a larger solar panel surface area) for greater affordability. It’s certainly something to watch out for in the future.

The 6,400 panels installed on a metal canopy serve a dual purpose. Not only do they provide energy to help run the park, but they also provide shade to about 800 parking spaces at the Zoo’s Vine Street Lot. Perhaps more importantly is the educational impact the new solar parking canopy will have on the local community. The zoo plans an interactive kiosk that will explain how the system works and help educate visitors on the advantages of solar energy.

The solar project is just the latest in a series of energy saving initiatives by “America’s greenest zoo.” The zoo installed a 30-foot tall wind turbine in 2010 to provide energy for their ticketing and membership building. They also utilize a solar water heating system to provide warm water for their restrooms and pursue LEED certification on all construction projects.

The project’s developer is southwestern Ohio’s Melink Corp., who will own and operate the mega array through 2017. After that the zoo will have the option to buy the system.

The power of the sun is an amazing phenomenon. Each square foot of the earth receives an average of 164 watts of energy. Imagine a powerful light bulb set up on every square foot of the planet’s surface and you can visualize how much solar energy the earth receives on a constant basis. In fact, if just 1% of the Sahara desert were lined with solar panels it would generate enough energy for the entire world.

If solar energy has a downside it’s that it has to be converted into electrical energy before we can use it to power our home. The sun emits both light and heat to the earth, but neither of these elements automatically transfers into electrical energy. Light is important for making plants grow and heat helps us to survive in space, but it does not run our car or computer. To fix this problem scientists have created a conversion process for turning energy from the sun into usable electricity. This is through a device known as a solar cell or photovoltaic cell. A grouping of many solar cells is called a solar panel.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels can be characterized as large rectangular-shaped modules that contain small collectors or cells that gather energy from the sun. These cells are generally only about 1 to 4 inches in diameter and each cell generates just a small amount of electricity (around 1 or 2 watts).  The cells are built from silicon, which is a common semiconductor metalloid found in sand. Each cell has both a positive and a negative layer to create an electrical field, similar to that in a battery. As the sun shines on the solar panel the energy is absorbed into the cell, freeing electrons in the solar energy. This results in the flow of electrons known as electricity. The electricity can then exit the panel through a connecting wire.

A large panel typically has many cells that are connected together which combine to create a larger voltage and current. In addition you can also connect a series of solar panels together to form a solar array. The total output of a solar array will depend on a number of factors including the total surface area of the array, the duration and intensity of sunlight and the efficiency of the solar cells. The efficiency of most rooftop solar panels is between 15 and 20 percent, which means only 15 to 20 percent of the light energy that reaches the cell is converted to electricity. Many of the solar panels used on satellites have power efficiencies close to 50 percent, but these types of panels are generally too expensive for home use.

Worn out batteries are the primary reason why your solar lights will stop working properly. While these batteries recharge themselves automatically, they do lose their effectiveness after a certain number of charge cycles. Fortunately these types of batteries can be found at any hardware store and are simple to replace.

Do I Need Special Solar Batteries for Solar Lights?

The two types of rechargeable batteries that work with solar lights are nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries.  These batteries work because they are designed to recharge even when receiving low amounts of energy.  These are the same types of batteries that you probably already use in your camera or other electronic devices around your home.  Many companies produce replacement solar light batteries that are supposedly designed for use in outdoor solar lights, but the truth is these batteries are no different than standard AA NiMH or Ni-Cad batteries.

NiMH Vs. NiCad

Many people like to go with NiMH, nickel-metal hydride, for these lights rather than NiCd because it lasts longer through its charge and release cycles.  How long the battery lasts will depend on a number of factors including geographic location, weather conditions, season and where the light is installed among many other factors, so the time length given on a brand’s package is simply an estimate. It’s quite common, however, for these rechargeable solar batteries to last as long as four years under normal conditions. NiMH is also not as harmful to the environment after disposal because they don’t contain cadmium.

NiMH and NiCd are usually interchangeable, so it is easy to switch from one kind to another should the need arise.  Some believe that it is best to stay with the same type of battery that came with the lights because there are some differences in charging them, but this is usually not necessary.  In either case, it is important to check the battery from time to time for corrosion or faulty connections.  Sometimes corrosion can occur even when the batteries seem to be operating properly

Do I Need Solar Garden Lights?

These solar lights give your garden that magical feel that most homeowners strive for.  In addition, solar-powered garden lights are affordable, easy to install, and are available in many different styles.  They require little maintenance–as all you have to do is change their solar-charged batteries every once in a while.  Best of all, all you have to do when installing these lights is to assure that the solar panels are placed in ideal positions where they can really take advantage of the sunlight.  Other than that these lights are like magical plants that can take care of themselves.  They last for a long time and help take the stress out of your garden illumination project.

Part of the beauty of outdoor solar garden lights is the fact that they are eco-friendly.  These lights are safe to use, non-toxic, and quite environment friendly.  They don’t emit harmful byproducts as long as the batteries are disposed of properly when they have expired.  In addition, they help save you money–further proving that you don’t have to pay a high price to have a garden of pure beauty.

Styles of Garden Lights

Solar garden lighting comes in many different looks and forms and part of the fun is in designing the perfect arrangement for your garden.  Some are designed to be cemented on brick walls and pavement while others are grass-inspired in design and appear to glow-in-the-dark.  Some come in the form of solar string lights with the lights attached to lengthy wires that are ideal for hanging on your bonsais and shrubs.  The most common variation comes in the form of solar stake lights, which are easy to place in the ground to outline pathways or garden edging.  However, no matter what type of solar lighting you choose you will find their convenience is hard to beat. Most gardeners can easily install these lights themselves without having to call an electrician to install an electrical outlet in the garden area. This benefit alone makes it worth the original cost for most homeowners.

Utilizing solar garden lights in your yard is one of the best and most inexpensive ways of improving the appeal of your garden.  They provide accent to an otherwise plain and simple set up.  They give your natural surroundings an aura of elegance without added cost to your monthly electric bill.  They provide your garden with the ‘wow’ factor it certainly needs.  If you’re interested in adding something new to your garden display, these attractive outdoor solar lights may be what you’re looking for.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

As of 2010, the gross installation price of a solar energy system is about $6-8 per watt. This includes the cost of solar panels as well as the inverter, labor, and other installation costs. You then need to estimate the size of the system that your home will require. If you have a small, energy-efficient home, a 2-kilowatt system may be all that you need. At $6-8 per watt, the estimated cost of such a system comes to between $12,000 and $16,000 before refunds and tax credits. In fact, if you consider the federal government’s tax credit for 30 percent of the price of a new solar energy installation, you could end up paying less than $10,000 to install one of these smaller systems on your home. If your energy usage is about average, a 5-kilowatt system may be required to meet your home’s energy needs. The cost of these systems generally run from $30,000 to $40,000 before tax credits. Figuring in these credits may bring you closer to $20,000. Additional state tax credits and refunds may provide even more savings.

Solar Panel Financing

There are a number of financing options that make the cost of a new photovoltaic system even easier to digest. Many homeowners opt to buy their system using mortgage financing, such as a home-equity loan or a HUD Title 1 loan. If you decide to install solar panels as you build, buy, or refinance a home you can even wrap the cost of the system into your primary mortgage, simplifying the process. Conventional bank loans are another option for homeowners who want to avoid the mortgage route. Whichever option you choose it is important to shop around for the best combination of a low rate and long-term amortization.

Installing a solar energy system is a worthwhile investment that will increase the value of your home, reduce your monthly utility bill, and help to protect the environment. Through tax-credits and affordable financing options thousands of homeowners have been able to make their dreams of living in a solar-powered home a reality. If you are interested in enjoying the benefits of solar power a good first step is to discuss your options with a qualified solar contractor in your area. Your installer will help you design a solar energy system that is appropriate for your home and can give you an accurate estimate into the costs of such a system.

These portable solar generators consist of a small, high-efficiency solar panel, a solar inverter that converts the solar energy into a usable form of electricity, and a 12-volt rechargeable battery that stores the energy until it is ready to be used. Smaller units are housed in a case resembling a briefcase, backpack, or laptop case. These units are ultra-portable and are perfect for charging a laptop, cell phone, or any other device you may need on the road. Larger units are intended for home use and provide up to 1800 watts of electricity, enough to run many of your home’s appliances during a prolonged blackout. Just store the unit outside or near a sunny window to charge and you can be sure that your solar generator will be ready to go whenever you need it.

Solar generators are superior to gas generators because they are virtually silent to run, produce no fumes, and are safe to use indoors. They are significantly lighter, making them easy to move from room to room, and unlike gas generators they do not struggle to start up during freezing temperatures. Just place your portable solar power generator wherever you need it and you are ready to start plugging in your appliances. Solar units have the ability to recharge themselves as they run, which is very convenient if you need to use it for a prolonged period.

Portable solar power systems are an invaluable energy backup for the home during an outage or other emergency. You can also take it with you for use in a cabin, RV, or boat, or use it as a permanent source of power for a shed or garage that is not connected to the power grid. An ultra-portable unit, such as a solar backpack, is perfect for camping trips or other outdoor activities. Or you can bring along a solar bag that can power your laptop or other electronics wherever you go. Whatever your intended use, you’ll feel a lot better knowing you have a reliable source of energy available whenever you need it.

With solar lighting there is no need to call an electrician for a costly electrical setup. Just identify the spot where you need light and follow the simple directions for securing it to the ground, wall or fence post. Once the lights have been fully charged you’ll be able to enjoy their clean and efficient luminosity with no increase to your utility bill.

Outdoor solar lighting has a long list of useful applications, from illuminating a garden at night to providing security lighting for a home or business. They are especially popular as a landscaping accessory for lighting up driveways or walkways. They can be used on a deck or patio to brighten up a nighttime barbecue. They may even be used to provide light for an outdoor basketball or tennis court. Since they do not require any wiring they can be placed just about anywhere that receives full sunlight and they will provide a reliable source of lighting for years to come.

There are a number of different styles of solar-powered outdoor lights to choose from. Solar lanterns are commonly seen along a path or walkway. These lights use white LED technology and can be set to turn on automatically at dusk. Solar garden lights are a type of accent light that is intended to illuminate a specific spot in the yard. They typically stand lower to the ground than lanterns and are useful for uplighting decorative trees, shrubs or other garden features. Solar spotlights are often attached to the house and are perfect as a security light. They are available with or without motion detection and also work well for lighting up a patio or driveway.

Outdoor solar lights are a viable option for homeowners looking for a simple and inexpensive solution to their outdoor lighting needs. One of the primary benefits of solar power is its ability to support a number of emerging technologies that can make our lives easier. This is evident in the increasing popularity of solar lights for the home and yard.