by Kristie H. on May 12, 2013
Renewable energy sources may be a hot topic in today’s environment but the concept is far from new. Some forms of renewable energy have been practiced for centuries. From the moment the first caveman rubbed two sticks together to start a fire, renewable energy was being used to provide heat or cook food. The sun, long before it was recognized as an engine to produce solar power, was quietly doing its job of warming the earth and producing light. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on May 7, 2013
A typical stand-alone system consists of solar panels and or a small wind turbine to generate electricity connected to a charge controller which controls the pace at which batteries are recharged which is connected the battery bank. You will then need an off-grid inverter to convert the DC (Direct Current) electricity stored in the battery bank to AC (Alternating Current) electricity which is more commonly used in home appliances. [click to continue solar story…]
by Kristie H. on September 21, 2012
Revised 5/6/2013 - It’s not all that hard to imagine a facility of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) generating all of its own grid tied power from solar panels. After all, the USFS has a whole lot of facilities in the back of beyond, from offices to outhouses, that are well away from the benefits of civilization and electrical transmission. But the Forest Service’s announcement today that one of its facilities is now power-self-reliant with grid tied solar panels is a little unusual: That facility is in the middle of the suburban San Gabriel Valley. [click to continue solar story…]
by Kristie H. on June 20, 2012
Modern battery-based off-grid solar systems offer more than just a DC-to-AC power source, they can charge batteries, select from multiple power sources, and control external functions. Here are a handful of steps you will need to take to plan for your off-grid purchase. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on April 29, 2012
Since home solar became a commercial option some 40 years ago central inverters have ruled the industry. Today about 40 percent of the home solar kit market is made up of Microinverter kits. A inverter is an electronic device that converters the direct current produced by solar panels to alternating current which is the electricity you use to run your home appliances and lights. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on April 7, 2012
There is a lot of hype by solar panel manufactures about how more efficient their solar panels are over competion. That may be true by the numbers in many cases all other things being even, but solar panel efficiency is actually of little practical importance. Solar panels with lower efficiencies will simply have to cover a greater area which is usually not a problem except for those applications with limited space. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on March 23, 2012
As with any new technology and when big corporations feel they are threatened they put up resistance. Problem is big corporations control Washington DC. Solar panel feed-in-tariffs are going to be the next big thing in this country. It is small business start ups and local governments though that cut the widest swath to success. In America Florida, Sacramento, California, and Palo Alto, California are saying we can’t wait and are pushing forward past the Feds. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on March 1, 2012
Blue Pacific Solar, a national organization and online web store for portable solar products, off-grid solar kits and pre-wired power centers is now offering a new line of solar chargers. Goal zero Yeti is a compact portable emergency battery or off-grid power kit. Whether you’re working and playing off-grid or experiencing a power outage, the Yeti 1250 Kit offers the power to get it done. Silent, safe, and easy to use indoors or out. Clean, self-sustaining power generation from wall, car, or sun. [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on January 29, 2012
The Midnite Solar Classic 150 MPPT battery charge controller substantially increases the flexibility, features and range currently found on all other MPPT controllers. The Midnite Solar Classic is the only MPPT controller that has arc fault detection, making this solar controller the safest controller available and a Hyper VOC feature. The solar consultants at Blue Pacific Solar love specifying Midnite solar products, well frankly because they are American Made, are designed for the most durable off-grid conditions and they work. With the Classic 150 ranging up to 96 amps, the Classic 200, 79 amps and the Classic 250, 63 amps, why would you need any other controller? [click to continue solar story…]
by KURTIS on January 15, 2012
With an Air marine and land wind turbines, you have energy wherever you go, whether you’re sailing across the world, setting up your mountaineering base camp or cruising the highways in your RV. Air marine and land turbines are lightweight, easy to set up, and produce clean DC power to directly charge 12V, 24V or 48V batteries to run your lights and charge satellite phones, GPS devices, cameras and other small appliances keeping you connected, charged and ready to enjoy your adventures. [click to continue solar story…]
