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Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Jeremy
Attempting to develop inventions he could patent and market, Tesla conducted a range of experiments with mechanical oscillators/generators, electrical discharge tubes, and early X-ray imaging. He also built a wirelessly controlled boat, one of the first ever exhibited. Tesla became well known as an inventor and demonstrated his achievements to celebrities and wealthy patrons at his lab, and was noted for his showmanship at public lectures.[mfn]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla[/mfn]
If you’ve ever stopped and wondered about Nikola Tesla like I just did today, perhaps you are wondering about your rising energy bills and how you could harness the power of the sun to generate electricity for your home or appliances instead.
One of the things you just might need is a Nature Power Solar Panel Kit. Providing reliable, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives than traditional energy sources, this might be the answer you are looking for!
Sure, there are several brands of solar panels on the market today, but I want to focus on Nature Power. Within this article, I want to provide everything you need to know about this product, including the benefits of it, how it works, some technical specs, how to install and the maintenance required of a Nature Power Solar Panel Kit.
Shall we begin?
What is the Nature Power Solar Panel Kit?
In terms of description, Nature Power is a company that can be found in selling consumer based energy products such as solar panels, generators, lighting, and wind power products. A solar panel kit is one of the products that Nature Power sells, and in many sizes.
The kit in general is complete with solar panels, a controller and an inverter with hook up cables. The design is for simply providing a source of reliable electricity for cabins off the grid or remote, boats, RVs, or anywhere that doesn’t supply a wired energy source, such as backwoods camping.
Having such a kit allows you to generate your own electricity by harnessing the suns rays which can definitely save on the pocket book of your next utility bill.
Depending on your needs, and where you plan to use such a product, you’ll have to consider what this kit comes with. As there are various sizes and capacities, the most popular size is the 110-watt kit, which is designed to power small appliances and electronics.
What’s included?
- 1 x 110-watt solar panel
- 1 x 11-amp charge controller
- Connecting cables
- 1 x 300-watt inverter
These solar panels are made from what is called crystalline silicon, which is a high quality material that provides maximum efficiency and durability. With a maximum power output of 110 Watts, the current at Pmax rates at 5.81 Amps and the voltage at Pmax is 18.9 Volts on these panels.
Pmax stands for maximum power point which is the point on a current- voltage curve, but in English terms, it “is how much a solar panel’s efficiency is reduced by for each degree increase in the panel’s temperature”[mfn]https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-panels-temperature/[/mfn].
The picture below, showcases what this 110-watt Nature Power Solar Panel Kit would look like:
How does the Nature Power Solar Panel Kit work?
Quite simply, all solar panels tend to work by harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity. You might see these panels installed on the roof of an RV or travel trailer, vehicle, home or cabin.
Another option of placement would be on a ground-mounted structure, designed where they can receive full potential of exposure to sunlight.
As the suns rays advance upon the solar panel, it is absorbed by what is called, “photo voltaic cells” within the panel. What these cells do is input the suns light of energy into it and export it as DC electricity, which then gets sent to the 11-amp charge controller.
From there, the controller regulates whatever amount of electricity is inside, and exports it into the battery, so that it doesn’t become overcharged or undercharged.
As the battery stores its DC electricity generated by the solar panels, it then provides you the power you need when the sun is not out, for example nighttime or during a rain-storm.
With the addition of an inverter, allows it to convert the DC electricity stored in the battery into AC electricity, which can be used to power household appliances.
For those that need a refresher course, DC stands for Direct Current, and AC stands for Alternating Current.
Have a look at this short video that shows you a Nature Power Solar Panel Kit:
What are the benefits of using a Nature Power Solar Panel Kit?
Now as we mentioned already that one benefit would be a reduction of a high cost of power bill, other benefits exist as well. The cost of a kit will be expensive to start, which may be a drawback, but the endgame is you’ll have significant savings over the long-term.
If installed correctly, a kit has the potential to generate free electricity for up to 25 years, which is a huge win, plus its environmental impact usage is another bonus. Because its a clean energy resource, there are no carbon monoxide emissions from that of a generator, making it eco-friendly as I stated above.
Perhaps you want to think value of your home? Property buyers are looking for homes that are environmentally friendly, so adding one of these kits can increase that value to a potential buyer. Not only that, but by generating your own electricity, you don’t rely on the traditional energy sources.
Often times being connected to “the grid”, you could experience power outages and other disruptions, but with a solar panel kit, you can guarantee your appliances and other electrical sources are connected at all times.
How do I install the Nature Power Solar Panel Kit?
After some reading of the manufacturer’s instructions on the pamphlet they have online, I am going to give you a more simplistic version Installing the Nature Power Solar Panel Kit instead. For comparison purposes, I will show you the instructions they recommend first:
Step by step guide:
- Choose a location for your solar panels: Find a location that is calculated to get maximum sunlight exposure. Pending the size, aim it from a ground-mounted structure, or slightly pitched on your home’s roof.
- Install the solar panels:Using the appropriate hardware and by following the above instructions, you’ll want to securely fasten your panels to the area of choice.
- Install the battery: A lithium-ion battery is best considered for usage of solar panels, and should be installed in a cool, dry location. There are many amazing YouTube videos that showcase suggestions, and one that caught my attention is the inside of a shed, specifically for hooking up all power connections.
- Connect the solar panels to the charge controller: The solar panels should be connected to the charge controller using appropriate wiring. If you need additional wiring, make certain you take into consideration the + and – symbols of the connecting cables.
- Connect the battery to the charge controller: Using the connecting cables, take the red + clip and black – clip and attach accordingly.
- Connect the inverter to the battery: Using the appropriate attached cables of the inverter, connect this to the battery.
- Test the system: Once installed, proceed to test your connections with a voltmeter to ensure that it is functioning properly. Referring to the full set of manufacturer’s instructions will provide guidance on how to do this.
For quick reference on this specific 110-watt Nature Power solar panel kit, here’s an image showing the battery connected to the charge controller, which connects to the solar panel.
If connecting additional panels and/or the inverter, this setup would look more like this:
How do I maintain the Nature Power Solar Panel Kit?
Solar panels actually don’t require much maintenance, but if they do, its very little. They are very durable as it is, but should they require any maintenance, below would be some basic tips:
- Keep the solar panels clean: Use a soft cloth to wipe the panels to keep dust and debris particles from forming, which can cause shading.
- Check the battery regularly: Batteries might be needed to be changed every few years, so constantly monitoring them will give you insight when that time approaches.
- Monitor the charge controller: Performing tests to make sure the controller is regulating the amount of electricity flowing between the solar panels and the battery properly should be done once in a while using a volt-meter.
- Check the inverter: Your inverter should continuously have DC electricity stored in the battery and convert it into AC electricity. Make sure this is happening properly.
- Inspect for damages: If there is no wear and tear on any of the equipment, you’ll have a flawless system providing you constant energy.
Where Can I Purchase a Nature Power Solar Panel Kit?
After much research, I have discovered there are a few resources of places to purchase the Nature Power Solar Kit. Directly on the Nature Power website they give you access to the product’s information, which is SKU number 53110. Utilizing this information, I’ve narrowed it down to the following choices:
As of March 2023 —
- Northern Tool & Equipment – Priced at $169.99
- Home Depot – Priced at $200.59
- Amazon.com – Currently Unavailable
Conclusion
Wrapping things up, this solar panel kit by Nature Power is an excellent option for anyone looking to change their ways of harnessing power and eliminating those bloody utility bills.
Carbon taxes don’t help the situation, and this will allow you to have that eco-friendly alternative from that of a traditional source.
In addition, we discovered that the potential of adding value to your property is beneficial, as well, with proper maintenance, you’re guaranteed up to 25 years of free energy.
Being durable and a smart investment, you can easily set-up one of these units should you choose to go that direction, plus you generate your own power so no more worrying about outages and other on-grid service disruptions.
At the end of the day, maybe Tesla was onto something, so maybe you should be too. Questions, comments, concerns? Reach out below, let’s have a chat!
Earth is Heart!
Wow, I have been looking for a good solar panel kit because I have plans to build a tiny house, and I want to go off the grid, if possible. These might be what I am looking for. I would live in this little house with 2 people only and I wouldn’t have a fridge, because that will be built underground. The heating will be with a wood stove. Do you think that these solar pannels would be enough energy for me to live from? I am going to calculate it somehow, thank you!
These solar panels are good options, but there are other options that may be better. Other brands such as Renogy offer off-grid solar packages that might be more suitable for your description.
An article of suggestion to read as to how you can calculate your solar panels can be found here:
Living Off the Grid in Canada – Multiple Considerations to Think of 1st! – Everything RVs and More
Thank you for the comment!
Great article! Nature Power Solar Panel Kit is a product that allows users to harness solar energy and convert it into electricity for various applications. The kit typically includes one or more solar panels, a charge controller, cables, and mounting hardware. It can be used to power a variety of devices, such as lights, fans, radios, or small appliances, and is ideal for outdoor activities like camping or boating. The efficiency and output of the kit depend on various factors such as the size and quality of the panels, the amount of sunlight they receive, and the load being powered. Overall, Nature Power Solar Panel Kit can be a useful and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional power sources in certain situations.
Absolutely Spot on!