In the world of solar energy, the 12V solar panel is truly a jack of all trades. It has many uses, is small, portable and relatively inexpensive. As I did more and more research on solar panels, I started to understand why this particular type is so popular.
12V Solar Panels Go Mobile
Just like any other solar panel, the 12V solar panel is made up of photovoltaic cells that create electricity from the sun. These particular panels are small and especially suited to small scale solar projects – generally, those requiring 600W or fewer. One of their more common duties is to charge certain types of batteries, such as car batteries. These days, with the proliferation of small, usually mobile gadgets, 12 volt panels are often used to charge their batteries as well. Owners of recreational vehicles and boats have also come to rely on these portable panels to power their on-board appliances and accessories, which usually use DC current.
One reason that these panels are so favored is that they are widely available and quite simple to set up, even by do-it-yourselfers, which means you won’t have to pay for a professional installation. Because of their small size and wattage, components such as electrical wiring and inverters are also much less costly than those needed for a much a larger solar installation. Although they don’t have a lot of power for residential purposes, their low cost can make them a very affordable introduction to solar energy and they can easily be added on to later.
One of the biggest advantages of 12 volt panels is their portability. Not only are they small and affordable, but they are also available in thin-film styles that are perfect for charging solar gadgets on hiking and camping trips.
12V Solar Battery Chargers Keep Batteries Humming
By far the most common use for 12 volt solar panels is to charge car batteries. They however, as these are strictly trickle chargers whose main function is to keep the charge alive in a battery that, for example, resides in a vehicle or piece of equipment that is used only occasionally. That way it is not necessary to charge the batteries every time you want or need to use the machine. The best part of these solar battery chargers is that sunlight is free–and so is the energy these panels produce. Storage is a breeze when you can roll up your charging panel and throw it in the back seat of your car when it is not in use. Popular models are priced between $25 and $30 for 1.8 watts. Remember, though, that these chargers will maintain a charged battery but will not bring a dead battery back to life. If you need something with a little more heft, 12v panels are rated up to 60 watts; naturally, these will be a bit pricier.
Charging deep-cycle batteries is another common use for these 12v solar charging panels, which are the type of batteries used as power storage in residential solar power systems. Before purchasing, check to make sure that these panels are eligible for federal and state solar rebates and/or incentives.
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