Flashlight! Flashlight! Who’s got the flashlight?

Posted on September 19, 2011 by dtiadmin

If the standard procedure for turning on your flashlight includes pounding 10 times on a table top, removing, then reinserting the same old batteries, and finally staring blankly into the unlit bulb, then perhaps it’s time to rethink how well you are prepared for the next power outage or emergency. Articles hitting the newsstands after the current rash of wild fires, hurricanes, and power outages are encouraging everyone to have an emergency pack, since outside help or evacuation may not be Read more [...]

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Grid-tie solar powered farm

Posted on September 19, 2011 by dtiadmin

Most of my past articles described solar systems that included a battery or batteries to store the collected solar energy. There are many types of solar power systems with battery backup that can be connected to the utility grid. However, technically speaking, a “grid-tie” system refers to a solar power system that transfers all of the electrical power generated directly back into the local utility grid and does not have a battery bank. Photo 1: One of two Fronius 3-kW grid-tie inverters. Read more [...]

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Add solar power to your truck camper

Posted on September 19, 2011 by dtiadmin

The recreational vehicle (RV) world is having a major comeback with the influx of baby-boomers. Today’s travel trailers, 5th wheels, and motor coaches now include everything from satellite television and central air conditioning to built-in electric fireplaces. However, these luxury land yachts have one major disadvantage over the RV world of earlier years—they require large amounts of electrical power to operate. Most high-end RVs can power all of their lighting and a few DC-powered appliances Read more [...]

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Build a simple solar powered outdoor light

Posted on September 19, 2011 by dtiadmin

In this article, I will describe how you can build a simple solar powered light. This is not one of those inexpensive solar walk lights sold in garden supply stores. This is a commercial quality light that can easily illuminate a parking area, remote outbuilding, dark driveway, or large road sign. Figure 1 shows the pole lamp version of this lighting system. Main components Figure 1. Pole-mounted street light showing a front view of the solar light There are four components required to build Read more [...]

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Solar-powered refrigerators

Posted on August 5, 2011 by dtiadmin

There are a number of refrigerators and freezers now available that can be powered directly from a 12-volt DC battery and with a little extra effort, these cooling appliances can be powered by the sun. In this post, I will review several different brands and models of refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerator-freezers that will make any rural retreat more like home. Yes, you can drag an ice chest back and forth on your weekend visits, which is still the most economical way to have Read more [...]

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Siemens Selects DTI Solar to Design Fish Hatcheries

Posted on August 5, 2011 by dtiadmin

DTI Solar was selected by Siemens to both design and install solar power systems for three fish hatchery facilities operated by Virginia's Dept.of Game and Inland Fisheries. The King and Queen County facility was just brought on line in July and consists of sixty (60) roof-mounted Sharp solar modules and dual SMA inverters that provide over 14 kW of solar power for the facility. The sloped metal roof of the existing open-sided structure over the fish tanks provided a perfect southern Read more [...]

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Build a solar-powered water pumping station

Posted on August 1, 2011 by dtiadmin

I recently designed a solar-powered pumping system for a local farmer wanting to pump water from a lake up to a watering trough for cattle in a distant fenced field. We have also designed larger systems to pump directly from drilled wells up to elevated storage tanks, which provide gravity-fed water back down to remote ranch buildings. Basic system description These solar applications made economic sense because the location was too remote to run a long power line. A solar-powered water system Read more [...]

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Build A Solar Powered Outdoor Floodlight

Posted on July 7, 2011 by dtiadmin

This is not one of those inexpensive solar walk lights sold in garden supply stores. This is a commercial quality light that can easily illuminate a parking area, remote outbuilding, dark driveway, or large road sign. Figure 1 shows the pole lamp version of this lighting system. Main components There are four components required to build any solar powered light: the solar array, high efficiency D.C. lamp, charge controller, and a battery. The solar array will be the most expensive component Read more [...]

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Portable Solar Power, Purified Water for Disaster Areas

Posted on July 7, 2011 by dtiadmin

(Originally released June 7, 2011) DTI Solar has just announced their new line of self-contained solar-powered buildings made from shipping containers. These rugged metal freight containers allow fast and easy transport to remote communities or disaster relief areas. The exterior solar array and satellite dish are designed to be easily removed and stored inside the shipping container. The following 20 foot long base models are available, but many custom options and features can be added for Read more [...]

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UVA Team Partners with DTI Solar to Win Design Expo Award

Posted on July 7, 2011 by dtiadmin

(Originally released April 14, 2011) A team of University of Virginia architecture and engineering students won the EPA's People, Prosperity, and the Planet Award in the National Sustainable Design Expo, a student design contest for sustainability. U.Va.'s entry, "The Learning Barge: Environmental + Cultural Ecologies on the Elizabeth River," was one of six projects to be recognized with Sustainability Design Awards of $75,000. The recently completed barge is being used to educate school kids Read more [...]

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SOLAR CLASSES

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Recent Posts

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Flashlight! Flashlight! Who’s got the flashlight?

Grid-tie solar powered farm

Add solar power to your truck camper

Build a simple solar powered outdoor light

Solar-powered refrigerators

Siemens Selects DTI Solar to Design Fish Hatcheries

Build a solar-powered water pumping station

Build A Solar Powered Outdoor Floodlight

Portable Solar Power, Purified Water for Disaster Areas

UVA Team Partners with DTI Solar to Win Design Expo Award

SOLAR CLASSES

On-Line and Store Location Specials this week

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

On-Line and Store
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this week