PONTUS WORLD

  NEW RESEARCH COULD LEAD TO SOLAR PANELS THAT WORK AT NIGHT Despite the advantages of solar panels for harvesting clean energy, they have limitations, overcast days and nightfall render them partially or completely ineffective. But researchers have made a breakthrough that could lead to solar panels working at night. Solar panels are a popular form of harvesting clean energy, but they aren’t without their limitations. They work best in bright, direct sunlight, so overcast and rainy days can limit energy efficiency. As for nightfall, solar panels can’t work without direct or indirect sunlight at least for now. A team of researchers, including researchers from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW Sydney and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, have made a breakthrough in infrared technology that could lead to the development of solar panels that work at night. The researchers were able to run a successful test on a device, called a ...

  ADVANTAGES OF USING CCTV SYSTEMS FOR YOUR BUSSINESS CCTV can provide a whole host of advantages within the building in which it is installed, along with its contents and any workers or residents.     Benefits of CCTV Cameras in Business  Here, we run through some of the top benefits that this safety system can bring to businesses of all types, and why it is a great thing to have installed at your business premises. 1. Crime deterrent It goes without saying that having a CCTV camera installed at your premises will act as a serious deterrent to criminals and anyone carrying out illegal activities. The sight of a CCTV camera infers an air of danger and the presence of the law, deterring anyone planning to carry out a crime from doing so. 2. Monitors activities CCTV systems are able to keep track of what is happening at the premises where they are installed. By monitoring the activity of workers and visitors at your business’ site, you and your workfo...

POWERING A SAFER FUTURE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge and key to the solution. A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. The science is clear: to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.To achieve this, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable. Renewable energy sources which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are reple...

  HOW TO CHOSE THE RIGHT INVERTER AND BATTERY FOR YOUR HOME  Are you planning to buy a new inverter or upgrade your old one? Whatever maybe the reason, it is very important to understand what is the right inverter for your home. The power requirement at your home can be different from you neighbor’s home. So do not just blindly install the same inverter (in terms of power) in your home. Before buying an inverter for your home do a little homework and understand the basics. First understand your Power Requirement  One of the most important factor that you must know before buying an inverter is your “Power requirement”. In simple words, what all electrical appliances like fan, tube lights, television, etc, you want to run at the time of power failure. The power requirement is addition of the power consumed by various electrical equipment. Suppose you want 3 Fans, 3 Tube lights, 1 fluorescent and    1 television to operate at the time of power failure....

        UNENDING BENEFITS OF SOLAR STREET LIGHTS Solar power is getting increasing popularity as a dependable source for street lighting all over the world. Some of the benefits associated with solar street lights include reduced dependence on conventional energy, conservation of energy and less reliance on the national grid. In countries experiencing abundance of sunlight, solar lights are the best option to illuminate the streets, garden, parks and other public spaces. Nowadays, solar street lights are powered by PV panels, in-built battery, LED lights and smart sensors, all integrated into a single compact unit. Solar LED street lights have emerged as a cost-effective and environment-friendly to light up roads and public spaces. LED lights are widely acknowledged for energy conservation, are long-lasting and good-looking, and are maintenance-free. These characteristics make LED-based solar street lights well-suited for commercial as well as domestic lighting a...

  How long do solar panels actually last? Solar panels offer homeowners a great way to reduce their carbon footprint. Luckily, the lifespan of solar panels will allow you to produce energy for many years, providing a great return on investment. You can count on most photovoltaic solar panels to last 25 years before they begin to noticeably degrade. Most solar panel companies will provide a standard 25-year warranty for the expected life expectancy of the solar panels. After 25 years, your solar panels won’t necessarily need to be replaced; however, their ability to absorb sunlight will be reduced. What is solar panel degradation rate? Over time, solar panels lose their ability to absorb sunlight and convert it into solar energy due to factors such as hotter weather and the natural reduction in chemical potency within the panel. This is what is referred to as the “degradation rate”.  The lower the degradation rate, the better the panel. When a solar panel has a lower ...

Solar panel maintenance: Everything you need to know Solar panels are a great investment that can provide you with cheap, renewable solar energy for the next 25 years or more.  But a key question is, how do you maintain them? Are solar panels like your car, requiring regular tune-ups to stay in peak condition? Or are you supposed to just leave them be?  Do solar panels need to be maintained?   Solar panels generally require very little maintenance in order to function, so yes, you can usually just let them be. The only thing they need is a periodic light cleaning to make sure dirt, leaves, and other debris aren't obstructing the sun's rays. How do you maintain solar panels?  If your panels are tilted, you’re in luck: rainfall will actually clear away debris that's accumulated on them. However, during the dry season or extended periods without rain, it's important to clean them manually.  It is generally recommended that you perform solar panel cleaning between t...

  TIPS ON INCREASING SOLAR PANEL EFFICIENCY Solar panels do not work equally under all conditions, but you can take proactive steps to improve the efficiency and output of your solar system layout or array. A few simple steps can ensure you are getting the best return from your solar investment. From positioning solar panels for optimal power generation to applying for utility rebates and green energy grants, these four tips can maximize your solar panels’ output and increase your energy savings. Eliminate Shade: Solar panels are designed to work best in direct sunlight. If the sun is blocked out by a tree or another building, your array’s output could be dramatically reduced. According to Energy Sage, shade is most detrimental for solar panels using a “string” type of inverter, which limits the array’s output to the intensity of the weakest panel. Even if only a small piece of your array is shaded, the entire installation’s output may be throttled back. Trim or remove trees around...

DO SOLAR PANELS WORK IN COLD WEATHER? WHAT'S THE SCIENCE BETWEEN SOLAR PANELS AND TEMPERATURE? Even in below-freezing weather, solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. That’s because solar panels absorb energy from our sun’s abundant light, not the sun’s heat. In fact, cold climates are actually optimal for solar panel efficiency. So long as sunlight is hitting a solar panel, it will generate electricity. Any diminished output during the winter months will primarily be due to heavy snow and shorter daylight hours. So, how do solar panels work? When sunlight photon particles hit solar panel photovoltaic cells, electrons in the silicon are put into motion. This creates an electric current, which is sent to your home’s electric distribution box to power your essential items. A rechargeable solar battery can help store this electricity so you can still use solar energy at night, during peak electricity usage, or when the grid goes down. Remember how electrons move around atoms?...

REASON BATTERIES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION While renewable energy provides clean, sustainable power that emits little to no carbon emissions, its intermittency has long been an issue. Often criticized for not having the same base load capabilities as coal, natural gas or nuclear, renewable energy has lacked the ability to provide a constant source of energy. Furthermore, the dominance of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) has rested on the mileage of their electric counterparts  until recently. Base load energy usually refers to the minimum power generation capability of a certain energy source, whereby it is able to produce the minimum amount of energy required by a power grid at any given time without interruption. For example, coal, nuclear, or natural gas power plants are able to assure base load power as long as there is fuel to burn, while the intermittency of renewables has always raised questions as to their reliability as a majo...