Is there a Solar Panels 101 course or book?

Question

I am investigating using solar panels to provide some power at home, in Corpus Christi, Texas but there is little practical information available. Is there a book, course or, better still, someone in the area that has first hand information?

Answer 1

A good place to start is the Department of Energy's EERE website.

They have short basic guides on all types of energy projects for the home including small solar installations.

Answer 2

check out these sites:

I also have done a lot of research about photo (light) voltaic (electric) cells or photovoltaic. The electricity in your house is alternating current or ac. photovoltaic produce direct current or dc. they have tho wires on them that are positive and negative positive is on the side that does not receive light. This dc then needs to be converted into ac with a power inverter. some times before the inverter and from the solar cells is a battery system that the solar cells charge during the day. Then the batteries supply an inverter during the night and the solar supplies during the day. This will work with wind generators also. The power must be or be converted to dc by a full wave bridge rectifier for the inverter and batteries. there are also other things to keep your system safe from over charging your batteries.

Answer 3

Any book covering electrical power generation will have a short chapter on photovoltaics. Using the cells is not rocket science

Answer 4

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies!

ISBN-10: 0470175699

Those for Dummies books are an amazing resource.

Answer 5

you should google photovoltaic cells to research the actual panel itself.  Or if you want to know more about purchasing these photovoltaic cells then you should contact a supplier.

I just googled solar panel manufacturers and came up with a whole list of companies...

Suniva

GreenBrilliance

Signet Solar

Advent Solar

Innovalight

ect...