One of the hallmarks of a home’s energy efficiency is its thermal performance. So it’s important to understand the distinction between the concepts of thermal mass and insulation.
Just unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, the Goal Zero Yeti 150 is a solar generator to keep bigger devices like laptops powered up off the grid. It’s a portable all-in-one design that emits no exhaust fumes, unlike gasoline or diesel generators.
Want to harness all that solar energy shining on your roof, but you’re not crazy about the space-age look of a massive PV panel rack? No problem. Apollo Solar Roofing uses lightweight, roof-integrated modules so a photovoltaic array becomes a subtle part of your roof.
Several solid-performing solar device chargers have appeared on the market recently. And now the folks at Wenger (the legendary swiss army knife maker) have joined the action with a foldable, all-in-one solar charger and battery pack.
A small, portable solar charger can be incredibly handy to keep your phone or other mobile devices powered up when there isn’t an outlet handy. For camping, travel, or emergency use, the Solar JOOS Orange and Solio’s Classic2 are a pair of our favorites.
Low-power solar lights are a great option for providing a bit of illumination in outdoor spaces like yards & walkways. They require no wiring from your home’s electrical system, and use only the energy that the sun’s rays provide.
Most household solar energy systems have traditionally used a central inverter within the home to convert DC power from the photovoltaic panels into usable AC current. But that trend is changing as individual “micro-inverters” on each solar panel become more common.
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Interested in supplementing your home’s energy needs with solar power, but you don’t want to deal with a complicated or expensive installation? DeckPower solar panels are just for you.
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Virtu solar tubes utilize a hybrid design that incorporates both PV cells for solar energy, and solar thermal conduction for heating. Best of all, the hybrid arrangement helps both components work better than standalone systems, proving the old adage that the whole really can be greater than the sum of its parts.
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In Part II of our Home Solar Power Guide, we took a brief look at different types of solar panels. Read on to learn more about the differences between monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous solar cells – in manufacturing, price, and performance.
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