From the ArcaMax Publishing, Home and Consumer Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/home/s-364481-486431
Most people like the idea of solar power. Who wouldn’t? Solar power
produces energy with no harmful emissions, totally silently and with
no running costs. So why don’t we use it more in our day to day
lives? Well, there is no reason why we shouldn’t, so if you’re
interested read on…
Whilst powering your home with solar power is still prohibitively
expensive for most, using solar power as a practical source of energy
for smaller applications most certainly is not. There are literally
hundreds of affordable solar powered products that will work well in
the UK and that can be both useful and cost effective alternatives to
mains power.
Micro Scale Solar
Small solar cells have moved on a step from powering the humble desk
calculator. Solar power is now widely used to power everything from
children’s toys to electric shavers! The most common applications
include solar powered torches, radios, battery chargers (typically AA
& AAA types) and chargers for mobile phones, iPods and the masses of
portable electronic gadgetry that is so widely used today.
Great if you are on holiday, travelling or camping, these products
will provide dependable power when otherwise you might have none.
Solar Lighting
Have you ever thought how useful it would be to have a light somewhere
in the garden, on the outside of the house or perhaps in your shed or
stable, but not wanted to go to the bother and expense of getting an
electrician in to fit it?
Good quality solar powered lights can provide dependable light in any
remote location without the need for trailing cables or any mains
power at all. They can be DIY fitted in minutes and will work for
years without costing a penny to run. Shed lights and movement
operated security lights, right through to DIY systems for large barns
and multiple stables are all readily available.
Solar Trickle Chargers
Solar chargers are ideal for trickle charging batteries on
infrequently used vehicles such as vintage cars, sports cars,
motorbikes, mowers, tractors and boats. With the help of a solar
trickle charger you can return to your machine with the peace of mind
that the battery will be charged and ready for starting duties.
Recreational vehicles such as camper vans, caravans and boats that run
on board lighting and appliances from 12V leisure batteries can also
greatly benefit from the addition of a solar panel to help with
charging duties. Batteries can be topped up silently throughout the
day with energy from the sun, which has to be preferable to running a
noisy diesel engine or generator to do the same job.
So why not get powered up by solar energy? It really can provide
practical and cost effective solutions in a wide range of day-to-day
situations and, believe it or not, it makes you feel good too!
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Chris Tyrrell writes for Ecofreak, experts in solar panels and other solar
technologies. Read more on the subject at the Ecofreak website.