Home & Garden Do It Yourself

DIY Projects You Can Do In a Weekend: Build a Solar Panel at Home

The best DIY projects are ones that are challenging but not so difficult that they drag on for months or years.
And, of course, it's an added bonus if your completed DIY project brings some measurable value to your home.
Building a solar panel is one such project.
It is fun, interesting, relatively easy to complete, and, when completed, can help reduce your monthly electricity bills.
In this article I will discuss the tools and supplies needed to build a solar panel, and I will give you two good building options.
Tools Building a solar panel is a wonderful weekend project that does not take any special or expensive tools.
In fact, you've probably got everything you need.
Do a quick check with this list to see for yourself.
  • Screwdriver set
  • Wrench set
  • Hammer
  • Saw
  • Soldering iron
  • Paintbrush
  • Knife
  • Wire cutters
As you can see, you just need the basics.
If you don't have a soldering iron, don't worry.
You can pick one up for about 10$.
In addition to basic tools, you'll need some supplies.
With the exception of solar cells, you can get everything on the list below at your local hardware store.
Supplies
  • Wood--for a frame and for backing (aluminum frames are better if you can work with metal)
  • Plexiglas paneling (or glass, if you prefer)
  • Black paint
  • Silicone
  • Eva glue
  • Solder
  • Ribbon wire
  • Tabbing wire
  • Blocking diodes
  • Solar cells
When shopping for solar cells, first decide what you intend to use your panel for.
If you want to provide power to your home, for example, you will need higher quality cells.
If you are just going to use it for fun stuff, like powering a portable stereo, you can buy cheaper cells.
If you go to eBay, you can even get "grab bags" that are full of broken cells.
I've seen them for as low as 10 dollars a bag.
They are irregular, but they function well, and, if you like, you can use them to create an artistic looking but still fully functional solar panel.
There is one thing you want to avoid when buying solar cells--wax.
Some manufacturers coat their cells in wax that must be stripped off before being used.
The process is difficult, time consuming and wholly unnecessary--just buy cells that haven't been coated.
Building Options When building a solar panel, you have two options.
You can buy a kit that just requires assembly, or you can buy a set of solar panel plans and do the fabricating yourself.
Both projects can be completed in a weekend.
If you are an experienced DIY person, you may find that assembling a kit is a little boring.
Building a solar panel using solar panel plans is more challenging but still easy to complete in a weekend, even for a beginner DIY enthusiast.
Building a solar panel is a fun, safe, interesting project that everyone in the family can help out on.
Your completed panel, if built correctly, will take free energy from the sun and convert it into valuable electricity for your home, lowering energy costs and saving you money.
This makes building a solar panel a DIY project that is not only enjoyable, but also valuable.
SHARE
RELATED POSTS on "Home & Garden"
How to Get the Best Results With a Steam Mop
How to Get the Best Results With a Steam Mop
Welding Safety Details - These Will Save You PAIN!
Welding Safety Details - These Will Save You PAIN!
Interior Painting Tips - Painting Behind Bathroom Toilets
Interior Painting Tips - Painting Behind Bathroom Toilets
Best Helpful Guidelines on Water Damage Restoration With Mold Cleaning Activity
Best Helpful Guidelines on Water Damage Restoration With Mold Cleaning Activity
Springtime Check up on your Garage Door & Opener
Springtime Check up on your Garage Door & Opener
Easy to Make Log Furniture: Three-Legged Log Stool
Easy to Make Log Furniture: Three-Legged Log Stool
Pest Control Fresno
Pest Control Fresno
Seeking Knowledge About Woodworking? You Need To Read This Article!
Seeking Knowledge About Woodworking? You Need To Read This Article!
Home Organization 101 - Three Simple Everyday Cleaning Habits to Keep Your Home Neat
Home Organization 101 - Three Simple Everyday Cleaning Habits to Keep Your Home Neat
How to decorate white wedding car and black wedding car?
How to decorate white wedding car and black wedding car?
Brief Encyclopedia of Air Curtains
Brief Encyclopedia of Air Curtains
Build Magnetic Energy Generator and Cut Your Power Bill
Build Magnetic Energy Generator and Cut Your Power Bill
A Few Quick Ideas to Help You Find the Best Plumbing Orange County CA Company
A Few Quick Ideas to Help You Find the Best Plumbing Orange County CA Company
Solar Panel Instructions E-Books - 3 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Monthly Utility Bills
Solar Panel Instructions E-Books - 3 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Monthly Utility Bills
Blueprints For Building a Shed
Blueprints For Building a Shed
Dinosaur Fabric - A Few Simple Designs
Dinosaur Fabric - A Few Simple Designs
On Personal Water Sources - A Key to Self Reliance
On Personal Water Sources - A Key to Self Reliance
The Many Beneficial Elements of Vertical Blinds
The Many Beneficial Elements of Vertical Blinds
Free Homemade Power - Can I Build My Own Wind Generator System?
Free Homemade Power - Can I Build My Own Wind Generator System?
DIY Pergola - Get Yourself an Outdoor Living Room
DIY Pergola - Get Yourself an Outdoor Living Room

Leave Your Reply

*