Solar Cfl Light
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 TEN 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB 2700K 12V Marine $72.25 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $72.25 |
 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB DC12V Yacht Marine Compact Fluorsecent BRIGHT $9.00 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 17m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
 DC 12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 2700k Warm White Compact Fluro NEW $11.61 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.61 |
 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB Compact Fluorescent Lamp DC 12V Low voltage RV $10.96 Time Remaining: 25d 9h 26m Buy It Now for only: $10.96 |
 10x DC12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp Low Voltage Compact Fluorescent $76.50 Time Remaining: 13d 7h 1m Buy It Now for only: $76.50 |
 DC 12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp Day WHITE $10.96 Time Remaining: 7d 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $10.96 |
 TEN 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB Pure White 12VDC Marine Compact Lighting $72.25 Time Remaining: 21d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $72.25 |
 12V 15W Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Lamp White Solar Low Voltage CFL Globe $12.60 Time Remaining: 23d 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $12.60 |
 10x DC 12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 6400k $72.25 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 13m Buy It Now for only: $72.25 |
 TEN 12V 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 2700k Marine Ship $72.25 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 12m Buy It Now for only: $72.25 |
 DC 12V 15W CFL Light Bulb Lamp 2700k Solar Boat Marine RV Compact Fluorescent $12.60 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 50m Buy It Now for only: $12.60 |
 TEN 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB 2700K 12V Marine $76.50 Time Remaining: 12d 18h 50m Buy It Now for only: $76.50 |
 TEN 12V 15W Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Lamp Solar Edisojn Socket 12 Volt CFL $89.99 Time Remaining: 13d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 TEN 12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 6400k RV $74.80 Time Remaining: 15d 9h 30m Buy It Now for only: $74.80 |
 DC 12V 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHTBULB 2700K B22 Bayonet Marine Lighting Spiral Lamp BC $5.85 Time Remaining: 15d 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $5.85 |
 TEN 12 Volt 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB 6400K 12V Marine Interior Ceiling Lighting $76.50 Time Remaining: 11d 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $76.50 |
 TEN 12V 10W SOLAR CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 2700k Marine Ship Off Grid Camper Lighting $76.50 Time Remaining: 21d 10h 5m Buy It Now for only: $76.50 |
 TEN 12V 10W PV SOLAR PANEL CFL LIGHT BULB Lamp 6400k 12Volt Compact Fluorescent $89.99 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 3m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
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Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors
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DescriptionThe Honeywell RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors helps you save money by ensuring that your lights come on only when you need them. This unit works with incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use... |
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Westek SLC6CFL 100W Programmable Screw-In Light Control, White
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DescriptionAdds safety security and convenience. Programmable off-timer from 2,5,8 hours random off timer deters intruders. Contact plunger allows adjustment of sensor window direction for optimum performance. Works with incandescent and compact fluorescent bulb... |
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Concept SL-100 32-LED Solar-Powered Security Light with Motion Detector
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DescriptionAdd low-maintenance security light with this motion sensor, solar powered outdoor light. Just position the panel in a sunny location. At night, the light will automatically turn on when motion is detected and turn off again after a user-defined timer setting... |
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Camco 41313 RV 12V-15W Fluorescent Light Bulb
Sale Price: $10.26 |
DescriptionCamco 12V, 15W Fluorescent Light Bulb. Perfect for use with solar power panels, each 15W Bulb delivers the lighting power of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, saving energy and dollars. Fits standard screw-in socket... |
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Westinghouse 03466 Nanolux 3-Watt G19 LED Bulb, White
Sale Price: $19.95 |
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CowboyStudio 30in Photo Soft Box Light - 4 Chroma Key Backdrops
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DescriptionThe light tent makes it easily to take professional digital photos. It is ideal for online sellers, photography lovers, and collectors. It filters the light to prevent shadows and reflections on shiny objects and gives a clean, professional backdrop to all items... |
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Aube by Honeywell TI033/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White
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Description2400-watt programmable timer features 7 different programmable sequences. Don't come home to a dark house. Program your lights to turn on automatically at specific times with the Aube 7-Day, 2400W Timer, an attractive high-capacity programmable timer that works with motors as well as all types of lighting, including electronic ballasts, compact fluorescent lights and tungsten lights up to 5A... |
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Sunforce 11240 1000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Remote Control
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DescriptionThe Sunforce 11240 1000-Watt Pro Series Pure Sine Wave Inverter converts DC power into clean, stable AC power that is ideal for running home appliances, pumps, and motors. It provides 2000 Watts of peak surge power to get your gear started, and 1000 Watts of continuous power to keep it running... |
Using Solar For Remote Power Needs
Determining Usage
As with any electrical installation, you first need to decide just how much power is needed. This is especially critical with PV since it most likely will be the only power source. We'll need a conservative estimate of the amperage, voltage, and the time of usage to size the system. When doing this, don't forget that most devices have a spike in the amperage upon start-up. Some devices use five times their operating amperage briefly when starting.
AC, DC or Both?
Most electronic devices are built to take AC power since that is what our grid provides. Since solar generates DC power, we often need to use an inverter to convert DC to AC. If we can avoid this, we'll save both the expense of the inverter and anywhere from 5-20% of the power that we would lose in inversion. Often times the expense of using DC devices is offset by the savings on an inverter and reducing the wattage of solar panels. Using AC and DC electronics increases the complexity of the install but can be accomplished with proper design.
Critical or Non-Critical?
When designing a system one of the most critical factors is what we call 'days of autonomy'. This translates to how long the system would run if there was no sunshine. This is important because going from one day of autonomy to three days of autonomy would triple the size and expense of the system. Usually the days of autonomy depends on whether the system is critical or non critical. An example of a critical application might be a traffic warning light or a communications system.
For either case, you must take into account local weather patterns and determine what a likely scenario is for days without sunshine. For critical applications we might double or triple that time. In non-critical instances we might not add any days of autonomy depending on budget. For most part of the US, in semi-critical applications (ie lighting, security, signage) we would plan for 3-4 days of autonomy.
Mounting and Enclosures
How the system is installed is important since most of these systems will need to operate with minimal maintenance. Generally smaller systems need pole mounts and battery enclosures to keep the weather out. Sealed or AGM batteries are preferred in these systems since they don't require maintenance or ventilation. Another design consideration is wind load, snow load, and hail damage, since the remote locations are often exposed to extreme weather. Many remote solar power kits now come with the electronics, solar panels, and enclosures in one complete unit that can be transported to the site ready and set up in very short amount of time.
Typical Applications
You can size a solar power system to match any application. That's one of the great things about solar is that it can be scaled for any project. But for most part there are some good ways to use the sun for your remote power needs. Here are a few:
1. Electronic Monitoring. Weather stations and water monitoring stations are perfect uses for PV and usually can be powered cheaply and reliably. Oil field monitoring is another area that is perfectly suited for remote power solutions.
2. Lighting. With the advances in LED and CFL lighting fixtures nearly any lighting setup can be powered with solar now. More and more we will see traffic, parking lot, and street lights powered with PV.
3. Small Moving Parts. Smaller moving parts that have intermittent use such as gate and garage openers can be powered by the sun. It is advisable to have a manual override so in case of power failure you can still get in or out.
4. Communications. Cell phone and communications repeaters are increasingly using PV as systems they are being installed in more and more remote locations. These can often be coupled with wind generators since they tend to be installed in high places.
5. Computers and Modems. Most computers and modems now use very low wattage and can be custom made for DC systems.
6. Small Volume Pumping. A 'direct solar' system can be designed to pump during sunny hours and then store the water using tanks, instead of storing the electricity with batteries.
7. Security Cameras and Recording Devices. If you've ever though about putting a camera in a far corner of your lot to monitor those pesky prowlers, you've no doubt wondered how you would get power to the spot. Now with a simple pole mounted panel and battery box you can power the camera, motor, and recoding device.
8. Cabins and Cottages. Remote homes can now be powered fairly easily with solar. The system should be designed for the owners usage patterns, but its best if heating, cooling, and refrigeration can kept out of the electrical circuit. Propane refrigerators, wood stoves, and natural cooling techniques will keep power systems simple and affordable. These system almost always need a backup as well, such as a gas generator.
About the Author
Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar power kits designer from Colorado. Kriss Bergethon is a solar expert and writer. For more of his useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panels, supplier of solar power panels, solar power kits, and more.