Finding out how to build your own solar panel might just be a way to spend some time out in the garage this weekend working on a fun project instead of trying to figure out which new video game you can beat. Almost anyone with a little savvy in the tool shed can build a solar panel, and surprisingly it doesnt require a tech-head or an engineering degree.
There used to be a day when you would have to scrounge around and get special pieces of metal, coatings and chemicals to make a solar cell, but thanks to todays technology you can just order solar cells on the Internet that are far superior to anything you could build yourself and surprisingly cheap, too. It takes several solar cells to make a solar panel that will produce the electricity you need, so once you have them purchased you can build the rest of your solar panel with materials that are available right in your town.
Most home made panels use 36 solar cells mounted together and produce 19-20 volts, which is about right to charge a 12VDC battery. For a weekend project this is a good way to start because you can build it and use it right away. After you have built one and tested it, you may then want to build more and assemble an array of panels that will provide the power you need to do a certain job.
Those sleek looking solar panels that you can order pre-built are actually assembled the same way that you will do it at home, and your home made model will work just as well. Youll save money by not paying them to assemble it, and youll be getting the big parts in your home town; shipping a few little solar cells is a lot cheaper than shipping a complete panel.
What you will do is mount the solar cells on a backing, wire them together in series, and wire an electrical lead to exit the panel and hook up to your load. There is a little special circuitry to keep the panel from discharging the battery when the sun doesnt shine, but its really simple to wire in. The panel is best covered with plexi-glass to shield it from the weather, and for permanent installations you have to get the panel mounted securely to handle bad weather and protect against overheating and the danger of fire hazard.
If you want to build a solar panel to handle a special job around the farm or home place, you can sure do it, and it can be really fun to build with the kids, or for a school or club project. If you want to do more, like power your home or cabin, then youll just build several and use more components to provide the power in the way you want it; but rest assured that its not rocket scienceyou can do it!
There used to be a day when you would have to scrounge around and get special pieces of metal, coatings and chemicals to make a solar cell, but thanks to todays technology you can just order solar cells on the Internet that are far superior to anything you could build yourself and surprisingly cheap, too. It takes several solar cells to make a solar panel that will produce the electricity you need, so once you have them purchased you can build the rest of your solar panel with materials that are available right in your town.
Most home made panels use 36 solar cells mounted together and produce 19-20 volts, which is about right to charge a 12VDC battery. For a weekend project this is a good way to start because you can build it and use it right away. After you have built one and tested it, you may then want to build more and assemble an array of panels that will provide the power you need to do a certain job.
Those sleek looking solar panels that you can order pre-built are actually assembled the same way that you will do it at home, and your home made model will work just as well. Youll save money by not paying them to assemble it, and youll be getting the big parts in your home town; shipping a few little solar cells is a lot cheaper than shipping a complete panel.
What you will do is mount the solar cells on a backing, wire them together in series, and wire an electrical lead to exit the panel and hook up to your load. There is a little special circuitry to keep the panel from discharging the battery when the sun doesnt shine, but its really simple to wire in. The panel is best covered with plexi-glass to shield it from the weather, and for permanent installations you have to get the panel mounted securely to handle bad weather and protect against overheating and the danger of fire hazard.
If you want to build a solar panel to handle a special job around the farm or home place, you can sure do it, and it can be really fun to build with the kids, or for a school or club project. If you want to do more, like power your home or cabin, then youll just build several and use more components to provide the power in the way you want it; but rest assured that its not rocket scienceyou can do it!
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