Photovoltaic Products

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Issue # 096 - November/December 1985

Back when the photovoltaic industry was getting on its feet, starting about ten years ago, it was pretty much up to the user to match PV panels to power needs. You bought panels from a manufacturer or distributor and gamely tried to hook them to appliances—all too often a hit-and-miss proposition.

A recent trend in the rapidly maturing industry, however, is toward packages that incorporate cells matched to uses: integrated products. These carefully designed match-ups are an ideal way for those with little experience or expertise in alternative energy systems to get started on the road to electrical independence. And some of them are so inexpensive that you might consider them for gifts this holiday season. What better way to indoctrinate a relative who's obstinately stuck in the petroleum age?

Everyone is familiar with the most common of integrated PV devices, the solar calculator, but there are probably far more of these sorts of products than you imagined. Consequently, we decided to review a few of the representative items available today.

COOL CAPS

Energy Sciences now offers two styles of PV-powered, fan-equipped hats. The Solair-cool Safari Helmet, at $69.95, has a small panel on top of the helmet, as well as a battery holder for cloudy climates and a sponge for evaporative cooling. The new Solar Cool Baseball Cap uses the same fan and PV panel as the helmet but locates the cells on the bill. The baseball cap is priced at $29.95 and comes with a sponge but not a back-up battery holder.

TRICKLE CHARGE

If you've ever left your car unattended for an extended period, you know that the battery will eventually go dead if it's not used. Solar Electric Engineering's Maintainer 12-volt trickle chargers sit on the dash of your car and provide enough current to keep the battery alive despite your lack of attention. The panels can be connected directly to the battery or plugged into a cigarette lighter. Two models with different capacities are available.

SOLAR SOLAR

One disquieting aspect of using an active solar collection system to heat your household's water is that it normally takes utility electricity to do the pumping. Kyocera, a major Japanese manufacturer of photovoltaic cells and panels, has addressed that problem with its Photovoltaic Pump System. Powered by a Kyocera 10-watt polycrystalline panel, the system also includes a DC pump, a freezecontrol valve, a flow indicator, a switchable control box, and necessary plumbing. The wholesale/contractor price is $372, FOB San Diego.