Author - Adam

What kind of maintenance is involved with solar panels?

Maintaining solar panels is very simple since there is no mobile parts. A few washes a year using a hose to remove dust and debris is all that is needed to keep your panels operating efficiently for decades . It is not recommended to spray cold water on the surface during a hot day because it can crack the cells. Automated cleaners can also be programmed to periodically clean the panels.


What are Standard Test Conditions (STC)

STC stands for “Standard Test Conditions” and are the industry standard for the conditions under which a solar panel are tested. By using a fixed set of conditions, all solar panels can be more accurately compared and rated against each other. There are three standard test conditions which are: 1. Temperature of the cell - 25°C. The temperature of the solar cell itself, not the temperature of the surrounding. 2. Solar Irradiance - 1000 Watts per square meter. This number refers to...


How Do Solar Fountain Pumps Work?

Solar Fountain Pumps work very simply.  There are two main types of solar fountain pumps to look at:Solar Fountain Pumps with Batteries:In this type of solar fountain pump, the solar panel charges a battery (6v or 12v) which is used to power the pump.  This allows these solar pumps to operate during the night or on cloudy days.Solar Fountain Pumps without Batteries:In this type of solar fountain pump, the solar panel directly powers the pump.  This means that the pump...


Why does my solar panel not seem to work even though only one small part of it is covered up/in the shade?

A solar panel is actually just a casing that holds multiple small solar cells. These are the blue or dark-blue squares inside the solar panel that are actually absorbing the light and producing the energy. Each individual cell has its own voltage and amperage that are normally both very small. By combining these small cells together, the voltage and amperage can be combined into the larger output which is what the entire solar panel is rated for. Connecting cells in...


Do I have to use my battery with the AquaJet Pro 9V Kit?

No you do not.  If you do not want to use the battery, then you can just connect the panel and pump into each other.  People choose to do this because of appearance or because they do not care if the pump does not run longer or more often when not using the battery.


Does using solar energy or using solar products help increase the national energy security of the US?

A big Yes! The Department of Education calls the amount the US produces their own oil, Field Production. Statistics have shown that the total percentage of field production in the US will decrease and the total percentage of dependence on oil imports will increase in the years to come. For example in the year 2000 the US had in Field Production only about 35 percent of its oil, but 5 years later the number has decreased to 28 percent. Along with this rate,...


What is the difference between “Watts” and “Lumens”?

Though light bulbs have traditionally been measured in Watts, today, manufacturer are now required to provide Lumens on the packaging for lights. Watts is the measurement of how much energy the light bulb will draw. However, this really has nothing to do with how bright a light bulb will be. Lumens, on the other hand, is a measurement of brightness. With a rating for Watts and for Lumens on a particular light bulb, you can determine how efficient your


Do Solar Fountain Pumps Work?

Of course.  When installed correctly and with the solar panel placed in the sunlight during the day, solar fountain pumps work great!  All of the solar pumps at Silicon Solar feature high-quality pumps using the latest technology and high-efficiency solar panels.  Additionally, all of our solar pumps are designed to be plug-n-play simple to setup and run - and require little, or no, lifetime maintenance.


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