Although there are many individual ways in which solar cells can be used, there are still only 4 basic applications to use them. Essentially, any way a solar cell can be used will fall into a category that I shall briefly describe below.

Utility Grid Connections - This is when solar cells supplement energy needs for the house or commercial business, being hooked into the fixed electrical grid and supplying power directly through the lines. If more electricity is generated by solar than is needed, many electrical companies will give credit and/or refunds for the extra power sent back into the lines.

A Grid Interactive System - When solar cells are used to maintain and charge up battery back-up systems for household or commercial usage. Any person or business would use a system like this to insure continued power if main grid electricity was shut down for any reason. Computer banks might subsidy greatly from this technology.

Remote Solar Cell Usage – Solar cells and panels used as an electricity supply in places where electrical service has not been developed yet. Wilderness cabins, undeveloped landscape and 3rd world countries would all subsidy with using solar power in these remote areas.

Product Applications for Consumers – Basically the use of solar cells to replace battery applications in a wealth of products. Things like calculators, cap fans, and any low voltage toy can be made to run off of solar cells saving on battery use and consequently, landfill issues for discarded batteries.

With the newer privileged efficiency solar cells and panels on the promote today, these applications have become more ordinary and useful than ever before.

DIY projects pose a variety of small problems. Whether these problems be temporary or not, it depends largely on a person?s insight and resourcefulness. But, a bit of professional help will never hurt anyone.

Fence panels and post holes

Just how deep should a posthole be? Donna Hardie, syndicated columnist and DIY expert sheds light on the problem:

“A solid 1.8m square fence panels offer a lot of wind resistance so they need a firm anchor. Bury 600mm of the post in the ground. Pack the bottom of the hole with crushed hardcore, then drop in the post and force in some more. You should aim to place about 300mm to fill with concrete. Use a trowel to slope the concrete surface away from the fence post to stop rainwater pooling around the base.”

The crushed hardcore is used to stabilize the fence posts when they?re driven to the ground. To make sure that you have an simple time of it, make sure that you use an electric auger to make the work simpler. Don?t break your back if you don?t have to.

Loft space problem

With the advent of smaller and more efficient tanks for insulation, what happens to the ancient metal tanks? Aside from moving it around (not advisable because of the ancient pipes), the best approach to this problem is the use of an angle grinder.

If you really want to free up space in your loft, the simplest way to do it is to chop the offending metal tank and remove it from your loft piece by piece. It?s not simple, but after a few hours of work the metal tank will be out of your loft, and your home for excellent.

Which mower?

If you?re buying your ancient mother a new lawn mower, then make sure that the mower you will be purchasing is fit for the particular terrain of your yard and your garden.

Rough terrain, with lots of stones and irregular formations require a rotary mower or what some call an electric light hover. According to Hardie:

“Rotaries can cut even if rough grass but a hover is simpler to push and can still cope with uneven areas. Your mum should only need a lightweight (1000W) motor. There are lots of hovers for less than pounds 80. Qualcast’s Easi-Lite (pounds 52.99) has a tilting head so it’s simple to steer around.”

Hot showers gone cold

If you?ve been using the same shower for the past seven years and the water suddenly feels colder than usual, what could be the problem? According to Reggie Merida, a DIY enthusiast from Edinburgh:

“The inlet could have been blocked with what we call limescale. As the name implies, limescale forms over a period of time, with the accumulation of natural salts from the water. The best way to DIY it is to not DIY it. Simply call the manufacturer and have the shower cartridge replaced.”

In some suitcases, showers have intelligent chips that add specific chemicals to counteract the formation of rust and limescale. But, these models are a bit more expensive than fixed showers.