Solar Energy Gadgets
About Solar Energy
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.
Solar power technologies provide electrical generation by means of heat engines or photovoltaics. Once converted its uses are only limited by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, daylighting, hot water, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors, with electrical or mechanical equipment, to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
Solar Energy Gadgets for a Green Life
taken from green-planet-solar-energy.com
There is a huge range of small scale solar energy devices on the market today, with more appearing all the time. The majority of these devices are aimed at charging mobile electronic devices or allowing their operation when the battery is depleted.
With such a wide range of products available it can be difficult to identify quality items. As for all other manufactured goods, good quality products often look exactly the same as poor quality ones. Buying long lasting, well built items is the best choice for ourselves and the planet as we minimize both long term expense and waste.
Small Solar Chargers
The sleek, futuristic looking Solio solar charger comes with a swathe of connectors for charging different devices and also has a built in battery for excess power storage. Its battery capacity and ability to plug directly into the mains electricity makes it compare favourably withproducts such as the Freeloader solar charger.
By comparison, the Soldius solar charger charges at a much faster rate but does not have a backup battery. This both limits its usefulness to the daytime hours and reduces its weight.
Then there is the incredibly cheap Brando Solar USB Charger line of products. These are less than half the cost of other comparable units. Is this a price breakthrough or a case of buyer beware?
If you are looking to recharge regular batteries, you may benefit from having a solar AA battery charger. Be careful to buy a quality unit that does not come with its own batteries.
Solar Generators
The PowerCube 6000 is a fair attempt at producing a stand alone solar powered generator that can match the performance of its petrol driven competitors. However the price and bulkiness of this unit will limit its appeal to those with excess money to spend.
By comparison the Solar Stik looks lightweight, far more practical and even comes at a better price. The warranty on the parts and workmanship is equal to or better than the Powercube, making it an ideal portable energy solution.
