Build your own solar panels
You Can Do This Too!
What do I need?
When you examine the materials required, (apart from pre-tabbed cells and diodes) the rest of the things that you need are what anyone might find in any handyman’s workshop now, e.g. silicone caulking, glue, solder, fibreboard, plastic panels, wiring and also some paint and screws. That’s about it!
The Equipment.
The equipment is not difficult to find at all, and it would include soldering irons, saws, wire cutters and strippers and screw drivers. If you are a DIY enthusiast, my bet is that you already have these in your workshop. That means you are ready to go if you want to build your own solar panels.
What you need also, are some solar cells and browsing the net will quickly give you suppliers of these. As yet, no local hardware store would have these as yet.
How to do it.
Once you find out where to get these solar cells for your project, learning how to build you own solar panels is easy. You have to make a box to contain these solar cells and then join them together in a series.,
Also, my advice when you build your own solar panels in that if you paint the box for your solar cells black, the box is protected from the weather, (this with silicone caulking) Then, you must seal the front sealed off from the elements with a plastic lid.
Fix the cells to a backing board, and you can do this by using a dot of caulking on the reverse side of the cell. Connect them together to ensure that the flow is only in one direction. You can add small diodes so that this happens. This also helps to avoid that the electrical energy ebbs out during the hours of darkness.
An even easier solution when you build your own solar panels, is to put a control device on the storage battery so that you are restricting the flow to one way.
The installation of every part is very important so that you avoid any damage from the rain. However, as with any electrical installation, it is not difficult to repair nut damage. You will find that the maintenance on these panels is very low and they will also have a visual appeal that can be an added feature of your home’s exterior.
I told you that learning to build your own solar panels is not nearly as difficult as people imagine. The fact is, once you get in there and start doing it, you will find it can be up and going in a few hours. As well, if you are going to build your own solar panels and, as with any online purchases, remember that there are scammers out there, who will offer you B grade cells that are not worth buying! Some sellers will also sell you the solder and extra tab to convince you to buy a shabby product. However, references can be easily checked.
The panels in fact are designed to convert heat energy into electrical energy. These are a step ahead from any simple heat absorption panels which only warm the water as it passes through the system.
Change of Mindset.
My last piece of advice when you build your own solar panels is that you have to change your mindset from thinking it is difficult to realizing that it is simple, and really, requires very little outlay. Remember, many people thought that horses would always be used for transport. Look around you now. Who would have believed that when the first “wheeled chariot” was invented? Green energy is the thing of the future and those who come to terms with that fact, will be way ahead.