A solar array, in the simplest of terms, is a group of connected photovoltaic solar panels. These panels, or groups of cells are strategically linked and arranged so that they function as if they were a single panel. In some cases, the term solar array is also used to denote a similarly arranged group of mirrors that are used to reflect and focus sunlight onto an array of photovoltaic panels. There is no set size for a solar array, and sizes range from a small array designed for home use to a solar panel array that is several acres large and consists of hundreds or thousands of panels.

On a more base level, each solar panel array is made up of an array of photovoltaic cells. These cells are responsible for taking the sunlight and converting it into electrical current. Because of an increased interest in renewable energy and environmentally friendly electricity sources, solar panel installation is on the rise.

Solar installers install most arrays in a fixed position. Depending on your particular location, most arrays are installed facing due south. In some cases, however, a solar panel array could be attached to a group of highly efficient motors that are designed to turn the panels to face the sun throughout the day. The motors do use a small amount of energy, but not nearly enough to offset the amount that has been generated. Although this can increase the amount that solar panels cost, it can greatly increase the amount of electricity that is generated in an average day.  The

If you are interested in adding a renewable energy source to your home or business, solar installation is the way to go. To learn more about your options for installation, financing and purchasing your solar panels, visit the Solar Panel Info website.

Whether it is from storms or a fault in your home’s wiring, when the power goes out life gets difficult. Hopefully, you are able to talk to your Santa Monica electrical company and power is restored quickly. However, it is important to prepare yourself for the worst. Consider the following tips to make your next power outage more bearable. In the meantime, contact a Santa Monica electrician, such as The Electric Connection, to see if there are improvements you can make to your home’s wiring system to reduce the chances of a power outage.

Power Outage Tips

Prepare Ahead by Keeping the Following Items on Hand

If you are ready to make changes to your home’s electrical system, call the expert electrician in Santa Monica—The Electric Connection. You can also reach the company by searching for “electrician Santa Monica” and visit the website at ElectricConnection.com .  One of our experts will be happy to discuss your power options.

If you’re searching for a way to control your lighting from anywhere and without flipping a switch, Wi-Fi LED lights are the perfect products. With a Wi-Fi LED Controller Hub, you can control compatible LED bulbs, LED flood lights, and LED strip lights with your Android or iOS-enabled smartphone or tablet. The Milight 3.0 app, along with a Wi-Fi compatible controller when necessary—allows you to power lights on and off, control multiple zones of lights, select from thousands of colors, choose from various single-color and color changing modes, and control brightness and speed.

Wi-Fi compatible flood lights are great for landscape lighting, tree uplighting, architectural wall washing, and other outdoor applications. These LED landscape lights are available in 30- and 50-watt versions and have separate LEDs for either white or colorful illumination. They plug into a standard 3-prong outlet and can be easily connected to a Wi-Fi hub. Connect multiple lights to the hub, and synchronize their color, brightness, or mode with your smartphone or tablet.

Unplug the electrical appliance that is plugged into the “trouble” outlet. Connect a small working lamp into the outlet instead. Often, the problem isn’t even with the outlet; it’s caused by broken or faulty electrical objects. If the small lamp doesn’t light up, then the problem is with the outlet.

Another important thing to do before you call an electrician is to double check that the outlet isn’t connected to any switches. Many times when our electricians at Lightning Bug Electric get called out to fix a broken outlet only to find that it’s connected to a switch that has been turned off. It’s always good to do a switch check before you decide the outlet is broken.

Electrical outlets that are in locations that can get wet, such as bathrooms, kitchens, patios, etc., have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for protection. A GFCI outlet will have two buttons in the middle: one that says TEST and another that says RESET. If the outlet has tripped, the RESET button will be protruding a little bit. Push the button and test the outlet.

If the problem outlet is a GFCI but the RESET is not protruding out, there is a chance that it is connected to another GFCI outlet that has tripped and needs to be reset. Check all your home outlets and reset them, then test the problem outlet to see if it works.

The circuit that the outlet is on could have been tripped. Check the circuit breaker panel to see if the tripped breaker is between ON and OFF. If so, turn it on and test the outlet.

If you have exhausted all these options and your outlet still isn’t working, call an electrician. A professional can solve the problem and have your outlet working in now time.