| Build Your Own Solar Panels - Step By Step |
| Written by James A. Tomlinson | |
| Wednesday, 10 November 2010 | |
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If you are interested in solar energy but think the panel costs are too high, you may want to build your own solar panels. There are some specific steps you should follow.
The price of solar panels has prompted many pioneering individuals to perform do-it-yourself installations. If you are planning to build your own solar panels, you should follow some specific steps. First, build a box for your panels. Cut one 1/2" thick plywood section 2x4 feet. Rip some lumber to make 3/4" x 3/4" strips. The strips will attach to the front of the plywood along the edges, forming a band, and also in the middle. Cut 1/4" pegboard to fit in the sections created by the strips. You want a loose fit for the pegboard, not a snug one. Cut a sheet of 1/4" thick Plexiglas to cover the entire panel box. To allow for attachment to the 3/4" strips, carefully drill holes every 6" around the edges and across the middle. Generously paint all sides of the pegboard and the wood with exterior grade paint. Silicone caulk will be needed to fill all cracks and create an airtight seal. When you are finished with the assembly, use clear caulk to seal the Plexiglas to the box front. Further sealing is accomplished by using silicone in screw holes and on the tops of the screws after installation. The mono-crystalline solar cells are sold in bricks of 18 cells each. Purchase the cells with the tabs on them for easier soldering. Consider buying a few extras because the cells are fragile and easily broken if not handled carefully. You will need to create a layout design for the cells that will work within your usable areas. Once you know the layout, solder cell groups together in easy to manage sections. Attach the cell sections to the pegboard using a dab of silicone. Do not over apply the adhesive. The cells must be able to expand and contract. You should have two long wires that leave the last cell and pass through a small hole drilled at the lower edge of the box. This is known as your "power out" wire. Seal the Plexiglas cover to the front with silicone and screws, sealing the screws afterwards with silicone. Use screws that are smaller in diameter than the holes, being careful not to overtighten them as this can crack the Plexiglas. Examine your panel one last time to be sure it is water tight, and you are ready to make electricity. In full sun, check out your top voltage with a meter. Your rate should be close to the rated output total of your cells. You now have the basic information needed to build your own solar panels. |
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