Startup company Build Solar introduced its innovative technology called “Solar Squared” (Solar Square). This technology is designed to provide buildings with the ability to convert solar energy into electricity without the need for traditional solar panels.

Renewable energy experts from the University of Exeter, led by solar scientist Hassan Beig and world leading renewable energy scientists, Professor Tapas Mullik, have developed a completely new technique that can be classified as building-integrated photovoltaics. Solar Squared or Solar Square is a glass block that can be built directly into the building structure, being succinctly integrated into a particular design. Blocks can be produced in different colors and be of different sizes ...

MPPT is one of the ways to use the resources of an energy source, whether it be a solar battery or a wind generator, but in this article we will talk specifically about solar energy. Its main feature is to increase the efficiency of an alternative source by “pulling” the maximum amount of energy by choosing a specific voltage and current.

The choice of these parameters is reduced to the analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of the source and determining at what voltage and current consumption the maximum power will be consumed. That is how the abbreviation MPPT stands for - Maximum Power Point Tracking (tracking the point of maximum power). General information on the principle of operation of MPPT controllers At a glance, one might think: “Well, use the maximum voltage possible, so there will be a maximum load current ...

A memory effect is the phenomenon of a decrease in the initial battery capacity due to a consumer violating the operating mode recommended by the manufacturer. This effect got its name due to its practical manifestation: the battery seems to remember the fact that the last time it was not completely discharged, that its full capacity was not in demand, and the next time it gives off less energy than when it was new than theoretically would allow its rated capacity.

This effect affects some popular battery types: lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride. The good news is that, at an early stage, the memory effect is reversible, while in lithium-ion it does not appear at all. So if you are faced with the memory effect of the battery, then do not rush to get upset. Let’s find out for ourselves exactly what human actions contribute to the development of a memory effect in a battery ...

In circuits of electronic equipment, one of the most common elements is a resistor, its other name is resistance. It has a number of characteristics, among which there is power. In this article, we will talk about resistors, what to do if you do not have a suitable power element, and why they burn out.

The main parameter of the resistor is the nominal resistance. The second parameter by which it is selected is the maximum (or maximum) power dissipation. Temperature coefficient of resistance - describes how much resistance changes when its temperature changes by 1 degree Celsius. Permissible deviation from the face value.Typically, the scatter of resistor parameters from one declared in the range of 5-10%, it depends on GOST or the technical specifications for which it is produced, there are exact resistors with a deviation of up to 1%, usually cost more ...

Recently, the topic of automation of various technological processes using programmable controllers (PLCs) has become increasingly popular. Despite this, there are very few practical articles on the Internet with real examples of how to program these PLCs. This topic is very interesting. Learning how to write PLC programs is possible even without them. The emulation mode, which is available in all modern software packages, helps a lot with this.

In this article I will show an example of translating an electrical circuit built on relay devices (starters, relays) into a program that will work on the controller. I must say right away that this is just a small educational project and does not pretend to explain anything more than just explaining the basic principles of PLC programming with a concrete example. The initial scheme for this project is a relatively simple scheme of a two-story linkage truck hoist ...

In the early 1930s, Dr. Robert Van de Graaf, who at that time worked as a research fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was engaged in scientific research in the field of nuclear physics and accelerator technology, developed, designed and soon built a high-voltage electrostatic accelerator operating on the principle of an electrified air ions conveyor belt (1933).

Later, in 1936, Van de Graaff built (all on the same principle) the world's largest electrostatic constant voltage generator - the Van de Graaff tandem generator, consisting of two high towers. Newspapers of that time called the invention of the associate professor nothing more than revolutionary, predicted him to "perform miracles" and "discover the secrets of nature." Such a strong hype in the press is not at all surprising, because the largest two-stage generator consisted of ...

When arranging a precautionary site, there is a need to conduct light into the gazebo, garage and outbuildings. The novice master is faced with the problem of choosing cable products that would serve for a long time both under the scorching sun and in severe frost. Therefore, we have put together recommendations for choosing cables for outdoor use.

There are a number of dangerous factors for cable on the street. Consider them and how to deal with them. When laying outdoors, be aware that during the storm the cable will be subjected to stresses such as stretching and jerking. The insulation of most modern products can be operated in frosts from -15 to -25. Consider this fact if you live in regions where there are severe frosts with temperatures below those indicated. Ultraviolet is perhaps the most important enemy of isolation. Under the influence of ultraviolet it is impossible to see how it is destroyed. After all, this process is happening gradually ...

Modern electricians lay wiring in the corrugation on the street, indoors, on the surface and inside the walls. Despite all the advantages of this installation method, there are a number of features of its use. The fact is that there are three varieties of corrugations and each of them is intended for use for certain purposes. In this article we will look at typical errors when laying cables and wires in the corrugation.

Types of corrugation Strange as it may sound, but the corrugation is chosen by color.There are three main materials for the production of corrugated pipes, so as to prevent mistakes in the future, remember: white or gray - polyvinyl chloride (PVC), black or orange - low pressure polyethylene (HDPE), blue - polypropylene (PPR). What is the difference between corrugations? PVC corrugations are used indoors, and they crack due to ultraviolet radiation. But this material does not support combustion. The mechanical strength is lower than that of analogues ...

At the end of the twentieth century, the leader of the spiritual community of Methernita, Paul Baumann, developed a very unusual electric power generator, which was called “Testatika”.

The generator operated thanks to the high voltage generated by the modified Wimshurst machine, and served to convert static electricity received directly from the air surrounding the machine into direct voltage and current. And although the concept of creating a machine was originally based on the idea of ​​using as simple and affordable elements as possible in its design, generators of this type, with disks with a diameter of 50 to 200 cm, rated power up to 30 kW, have successfully provided all the needs of the community for electricity for the past more than three decades. Instead of Leyden cans, similar to those that can be found in the designs of ordinary electrophore machines ...

In all electrical circuits have to turn on and off the instruments and devices. To do this, use switching devices, it can be either a simple switch or switch, or relays, contactors, etc. Today we will consider one of such devices - a solid-state relay, let's talk about what it is like to select and connect to a load control circuit.

A solid state relay is a device built on semiconductor elements and power switches, such as triacs, bipolar or MOS transistors. In English-language sources, solid-state relays are called SSRs from Solid State Relay (which is literally equivalent to the Russian name). Conventional relays, like all electromagnetic switching devices, work as follows - there is a coil to which current is supplied from the control system or the push-button station.As a result of the current flowing through the coil, a magnetic field arises that attracts the armature ...

The radiation of the Sun all the time carries energy to the Earth. This is essentially electromagnetic energy. The spectrum of electromagnetic radiation from the sun lies in a wide range: from radio waves to x-rays. The maximum of its intensity falls on visible light, namely, on the yellow-green part of the spectrum. In general, it can be said that the energy of solar radiation controls life on Earth, climate and weather on our planet - all living nature on Earth owes its existence to the Sun.

The fact is that from the Sun - to the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, a power of the order of 174 petawatts (peta - 10 to the 15th degree) continuously comes in the form of radiation. At the same time, 16% of the incoming energy is absorbed by the upper layers of the atmosphere, and 6% is reflected from it. Depending on weather conditions, up to 20% is also reflected in the middle layers of the atmosphere, and about 3% of the energy coming from the Sun is absorbed. Thus, our atmosphere scatters and filters a significant part ...

To check the health of the field-effect transistor, you can use any digital multimeter with the diode “ringing” function. This function works in such a way that allows you to measure the direct voltage drop at the p-n junction, which will be displayed on the multimeter during testing.

In the process of this test, the multimeter is able to pass current through the circuit under test within a few milliamps, and if the voltage drop turns out to be too small, then if the device has a sound alert function, it will clear. And since p-n junctions are present in any field-effect transistor, we can expect a completely adequate result. Before checking the field effect transistor for continuity, short-circuit with a foil all its terminals for a second to remove static charge, to discharge all its transient capacitances ...