Today in 1955, William G. Cobb demonstrated the first solar-powered car at General Motors’ Powerama exhibition in Chicago. Almost 60 years later, we’ve still not managed to efficiently harness the potential of solar power on a grand scale — but this alternative source of energy can be utilized in a number of ways by any individual willing to tinker.
Let the sun shine on your evil side — and have a wicked amount of fun on your way to becoming a solar energy master! In this guide, the popular Evil Genius format ramps up your understanding of powerful, important, and environmentally friendly solar energy — and shows you how to build real, practical solar energy projects you can use in your home, yard — even on the road!
In Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius, high-tech guru Gavin Harper gives you everything you need to build more than 50 thrilling solar energy projects. You’ll find complete, easy-to-follow plans, with clear diagrams and schematics, so you know exactly what’s involved before you begin.
Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you!
This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power — and helping the planet at the same time. You’ll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You’ll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you’ve decided on a project, you’ll see whether it’s best to hire a contractor or do it yourself.
The XPower Powerpack Solar is the first portable power pack that incorporates solar power in a compact, portable power source. It’s completely self-renewing, which means the detachable 5-watt solar panel has the ability to recharge the power pack’s 10 amp-hour battery. The 5-watt solar panel captures, stores, and converts the sun’s renewable energy, replenishes the XPower Powerpack Solar’s battery, and extends the runtime of many devices by up to 25 percent.
Product Features: Runs 120-volt AC or 12-volt DC products anywhere Built-in 400-watt inverter Sealed, non-spillable 10 amp-hour AGM battery Two 120-volt AC outlets, one 12-volt DC socket and one USB port Three-digit display for easy battery status monitoring Rubberized protection to guard against unit slipping AC charger included so you can charge from a standard wall outlet DC charger included so you can charge from a vehicle or RV Applications: Operates and charges a portable DVD player, 13-inch color TV, laptop, portable stereo, cordless phone, portable cooler and air compressor. Operates multiple products simultaneously.
The Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit provide a playful introduction to one of the most significant technologies of the early 21st Century. With this kit you can build a model car that actually runs on water. First, add water and watch it separate into hydrogen and oxygen. Then, use those stored gases to power your vehicle across the floor. Now that we have your attention, roll up your sleeves and find out more through experiments and demonstrations you can do on your own, in a classroom or with friends.
With this unique kit, you can build your own experimental reversible fuel cell car to learn more about this energy source. With more than 30 experiments and demonstrations, users will learn how a reversible fuel cell works to perform electrolysis as well as to create energy. The electricity required to activate electrolysis is created with a large solar cell included with the kit. During electrolysis, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen and the resulting energy is stored as a gas. When needed, the gas is fed into the fuel cell, which then serves as the power source.