Mini Solar Panels

The mini solar panel is starting to be used more as people are experimenting with solar power.  The advances of technologies related to solar power are immense.  Apart from reducing electricity costs the solar mini panel will  produce electricity without some of the wiring complications of traditional electricity supplies.  This reduced wiring can also reduce some of the potential dangers of electric shocks, important in an area used by children or animals.  A good example of this sort of application is pathway markers.

When trying to supply electricity to an outdoor area it is important to consider several factors. If there is currently no electricity at the desired point this will have to be wired in by a qualified electrician, with special outdoor cabling, and may be required under ground in some instances and hence may require a builder.

All of these add to the installation cost.  If you were to go the route of mini solar panels some of these may be avoidable.  mini solar panels are usually six volt panels, however mini solar panels can be linked together to produce more power.  Before deciding definitely on the solar mini panel you should first consider the amount of electricity needed to run your appliance.  When making these calculations remember that the supply will be affected by the weather and will not produce any electricity in the night.

What are the most suitable appliances for mini solar panels:  outdoor lighting, water pumps for garden water features, outdoor ride on style toys.

Once the sun sets your solar mini panel will not be generating any electricity, however sometimes you will need to use your outdoor appliance in the dark – for example pathway markers are only necessary in the dark.  The manufacturers have solved this problem by fitting small batteries inside which are charged by the mini solar panels and then can supply electricity to the markers after sunset.

There is a lot of pressure on parents these days to teach their children all the time and we are surrounded by ‘learn through play’ toys.  Here is the perfect way to introduce your children to basic science – using mini solar panels you can build toys which will not need batteries, also you can adapt toys which currently run on batteries and make them solar powered.

These basic changes and experiments will probably interest dad almost as much!  For the more adventurous they can experiment with the level of light needed to activate the power.  Most mini solar panels will activate if a bright light shone directly at it, for example a torch.  In this way a torch can be used to control a solar powered vehicle by turning the light on and off.  As you become more adept at harnessing the power from your mini solar panels you inventions will become more complicated and hopefully more useful!

Have fun experimenting while saving the planet and saving some money.