When you think about homes that rely on solar energy, you may think of rustic cabins that live in a very primitive fashion. That may have been the case 20 years ago, but today, some of the most luxurious homes are run off of solar power. There have been plenty of innovations and upgrades made to the world of solar energy and homeowners across the country are taking advantage. You don’t have to go all in if you don’t want. That is the beauty of solar energy. Your electrician in California can answer questions you may have about how you can make solar energy a part of your home. The team at The Electric Connection is well versed in the latest technology and can provide you with the information you need.

You have several options. The first and probably the most popular is to remain connected to the power grid. Basically, you use the solar energy you have and when it is depleted, your home relies on the main power grid or the electricity from the electric company. Even this small change can result in a great deal of energy savings in California homes and businesses. Every little bit matters and using solar power to run your home during the day and relying on the power grid when there is very little demand at night is an excellent choice.

You can choose to rely completely on solar power if you want. This will require the installation of a solar panel system that can run you upwards of $20,000 depending on the size of your home and your electric demands. Even though it is a big initial investment, there are tax breaks and you won’t be paying a monthly electric bill so it kind of balances out.

If you would just like to dabble a bit in alternative energy, consider starting with a solar powered water heater. This one change can save you a great deal of money on your electric bill. Again, every little bit helps. Give The Electric Connection a call today to take your first step into the world of solar power.

Using interweaving print technology, each image is printed on an LED panel light lens using eight rows of 180 ink nozzles that prevent any horizontal banding or visual imperfections. While the lens is being printed, a UV light cures and dries the image as it exits the printer. Printing time varies per lens size; a 2-foot-by-4-foot lens typically requires 15-17 minutes from start to finish.

Solar Farm

From science fiction to massive solar plants in the American West, solar energy has fascinated and tantalized scientists and writers for generations.  The promise of easily-accessible, virtually free energy from the large fusion reactor at the center of our solar system (the sun) is enticing and we’re getting closer to harnessing its power effectively every day.

Solar power is interesting because it’s one of the few electrical energy systems that does not use a turbine to generate energy.  Photoelectric cells contain a material that releases electrons when hit by a photon, generating electrical power.  There are no moving parts, no fuel to burn and pay for, and only occasional maintenance to keep the system performing optimally.

So what is holding back the proliferation of solar energy?  Space and storage.  We can generate large quantities of energy from solar, but we do not, at present, have the right method to store that energy for periods without sunlight (night time and storms).  So far the best response has been homeowners installing solar cells on their own homes with battery storage systems linked into their own neighborhoods.  By splitting up generation and storage within the neighborhood itself, enough solar cells can be installed to generate energy both day and night.

Space is at a premium when it comes to energy generation.  Solar power plants take up more space than traditional plants, while generating less energy per square foot.  Because solar cells need to be placed over large areas to maximize sunlight, installing power plants in urban areas can be difficult.  Though installing solar cells on your home can be done simply.

We mentioned self-starting or “œblack-start” energy systems.  These systems can be started without power applied to the system, a huge benefit to fuel-fed power plants, and necessary in the event of major blackouts and power losses.  True, we can supplement with gas turbines or nearby power generation, but we also want black-start renewables.  Fortunately, hydroelectric power plants require no off-system power to function.

Hydroelectric plants are special because, while they also have a somewhat variable energy source, they also have one of the best energy storage systems available: potential energy.  Hydroelectric dams use flowing water to spin turbines, typically generated from lakes and rivers.  Rather than storing generated electricity, hydroelectric plants can store water at a higher altitude.  By storing water in special tanks, they have access to electrical generation potential by simply releasing the stored water and allowing it to spin the turbine.  Hydroelectric power is perfect for energy storage, but they’re limited to specific areas.

Electrical transformers come in various sizes and shapes and there is a distinct possibility that you have seen one in the area your business is located in. The larger transformers are typically grouped together and are found in power plants and isolated and fenced-off areas.

While most people know that they shouldn’t get too close to these installations, most aren’t sure what the purpose of these transformers is and how they work. Here is some more information that will give you clarity about this.

These are essentially electrical devices that are used in transferring electricity from a higher voltage to a lower one and vice versa. Most of the electrical transformers are designed to serve the latter function. Without using too much of technical terminology, here is a short explanation of what they do – The process via which energy is transformed is called electromagnetic induction; this uses a magnetic field right through the process.

There are transformers of different types and they all serve different purposes, based on the scale of the project and output requirement. In household applications, they are used to power equipment and appliances as well as kid’s toys. The power that is generated from the large power plants is generally just too powerful for the application it is to be used in. This is where a transformer comes into the picture. It downsizes the electricity and turns it into the required voltage which then gets transferred via coils.

Apart from powering equipment and appliances in your home, electrical transformers also have a massive impact on our daily lives. Most homes and businesses aren’t situated close enough to a power plant. How then do these establishments and homes get the amount of energy they require to function correctly?

This is the point at which transformers come in use. The technology used to drive these transformers gives them the ability to transfer energy across long distances at quite an impressive speed.

Transformers are categorized in many different ways, based on their application, construction and purpose. The different types of transformers are:

Aside from these, the types of transformers used in residential and smaller commercial uses are: