Library for Solar and Wind Power Learning

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

• Help - I'm New! Where to start?
• Introduction to Solar Electricity
• Top 5 things to consider when preparing for a renewable energy system
• Your Path to EmPOWERment!
• Renewable Energy Options: Which Alternative Source of Electricity is Right for You?
• Energy Efficiency and Your Home
• Electricity Basics
• Beginner's Guide to Utilizing Solar and Wind Generated Electricity
• Power, Energy, and the Loads List
• The Reality of a Back Up Power System
• Magnetic Declination: Finding True South
• Building Best Practices Series
• Will solar work in my location?
• How much will solar cost for a 2000 square foot home?
• Database of Power Consumption of Appliances & Electronics
• Recommended Inverter Cables Sizing and Breakers or Fuses
• Renewable Energy System in Your RV or Boat
• Should I Wire my Home for AC or DC Loads?
• Solar Attic Fans
• Wire Sizing Tool for 12, 24 and 48 Volt DC Systems
• Power Ratings (typical) for Common Appliances
• Can Solar Electric Panels (PV) be used for Water or Space Heating?

Solar Electric Power

• Getting Started
  • Introduction to Solar Electricity
  • Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Panels): Overview
  • How to Buy Solar Panels
  • The Role of an Inverter in a Solar Electric System
  • Components for your Solar Panel (Photovoltaic) System
  • Considerations for selecting a 12, 24, or 48 VDC battery bank
  • How Many Solar Panels do you need in your Solar Array?
  • Power, Energy, and the Loads List
  • The Reality of a Back Up Power System
  • What Components do I Need for a Grid-Tie Solar Electric System?
  • What Components do I Need for an Off-Grid Solar Electric System?
  • Will solar work in my location?
  • How much will solar cost for a 2000 square foot home?
  • Can I use all of my normal 120/240 VAC appliances in a PV system?
  • Should I Wire my Home for AC or DC Loads?
• Design & Components
  • How Charge Controllers Work
  • Inverter Basics
  • How MPPT Charge Controllers Work
  • Selecting your solar module mounting structure
  • Solar-Electric Panel Technologies
  • Deep Cycle Batteries Introduction
  • How to Size a Deep Cycle Battery Bank
  • Common Battery Sizes
  • Electrical Characteristics of Solar Panels (PV Modules)
  • How Many Solar Panels do you need in your Solar Array?
  • The PV effect: How solar panels generate electricity
  • The Big 4: Demystifying Voltages
  • Magnetic Declination: Finding True South
  • How to Select an Inverter for Your Needs
  • Sizing PWM Solar Charge Controllers
  • Batteries - Measuring State of Charge
  • Comparing PWM and MPPT Charge Controllers
  • Inverter Waveforms
  • Maximum Ampacity (Current Capacity) for Wire and Cable
  • MC Cable Types
  • Schematic: Wiring Solar Panels in Series and Parallel
  • Sizing MPPT Charge Controllers
  • Solar Panels (PV) and Voltages
  • Wire and Cable Sizing Calculator
  • Wire Sizing Tool for 12, 24 and 48 Volt DC Systems
  • Batteries - Series and Parallel Connections
• Installation
  • How To for Solar Panel Mounting
  • Locating and positioning your solar array
  • National Electric Code and Solar Electric Systems
  • Installing an Off-Grid Inverter
  • Recommended Inverter Cables Sizing and Breakers or Fuses
  • Schematic: Wiring Solar Panels in Series and Parallel
  • WEEB Equipment Grounding Strategy
  • Batteries - Series and Parallel Connections
  • Proper protection and storage of a battery bank
• Reference Materials for Solar Panel System Design
  • National Electric Code and Solar Electric Systems
  • Database of Power Consumption of Appliances & Electronics
  • Recommended Inverter Cables Sizing and Breakers or Fuses
  • Solar South Calculator
  • Wire and Cable Sizing Calculator
  • Solar Insolation Map - USA
  • Solar Insolation Data - USA Cities
  • Solar Insolation Map - Caribbean, Mexico & Central America
  • Solar Insolation Map - South America
  • Solar Insolation Map - World

Solar Water and Air Heating

• An Introduction to Solar Thermal: Solar Heaters and Solar Water Heaters
• Solar Water Heating: Overview
• Solar Pool Heating: Overview
• Solar Air Heating: Overview
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Guide to Solar Water Heating
• Can Solar Electric Panels (PV) be used for Water or Space Heating?

Wind Power

• Getting Started
  • Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumer's Guide
  • An Introduction to Wind Power Turbines
  • Small Wind Turbines: Primer
  • Wind Power: How to Determine if it is Practical for You
  • Considerations for selecting a 12, 24, or 48 VDC battery bank
• Design & Components
  • Inverter Basics
  • Deep Cycle Batteries Introduction
  • How to Size a Deep Cycle Battery Bank
  • Common Battery Sizes
  • How to Select an Inverter for Your Needs
  • Batteries - Measuring State of Charge
  • Inverter Waveforms
  • Batteries - Series and Parallel Connections
• Installation
  • Installing an Off-Grid Inverter
  • Tips on How to Site a Small Wind Turbine for Your Location
  • Batteries - Series and Parallel Connections
  • Proper protection and storage of a battery bank
• Reference Materials for Home Wind Turbines
  • Wind Resource Maps - USA, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
  • Wind Resource Map - Mexico
  • Wind Resource Map - World

Solar Water Pumping

• Solar Water Pumping - A Practical Introduction
• Solar Water Pumping: Water Storage, Control and Monitoring
• How To Size Pipe for Solar Water Pumping
• Magnetic Declination: Finding True South

Reference Materials from Solar Maps to Wire Sizing

• National Electric Code and Solar Electric Systems
• Database of Power Consumption of Appliances & Electronics
• Maximum Ampacity (Current Capacity) for Wire and Cable
• Recommended Inverter Cables Sizing and Breakers or Fuses
• Wire and Cable Sizing Calculator
• Wire Sizing Tool for 12, 24 and 48 Volt DC Systems
• Power Ratings (typical) for Common Appliances
• Solar Insolation Map - USA
• Solar Insolation Data - USA Cities
• Solar Insolation Map - Caribbean, Mexico & Central America
• Solar Insolation Map - South America
• Solar Insolation Map - World
• Wind Resource Maps - USA, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
• Wind Resource Map - Mexico
• Wind Resource Map - World
• Glossary of Alternative Energy Terms

Solar Calculators

• Grid-Tie Solar Electric System Calculator
• Load Calculator
• Maximum Ampacity (Current Capacity) for Wire and Cable
• Off-Grid Solar Electric System Calculator
• Solar Payback & Incentive Calculator
• Solar South Calculator
• Wire and Cable Sizing Calculator
• Wire Sizing Tool for 12, 24 and 48 Volt DC Systems