| Some Tips To Build Your Own Solar Panels |
| Written by Ben Sparks | |
| Friday, 19 March 2010 | |
|
There are a few tips before you start to build your own solar panels that will save you a lot of time and money. Having a plan in place and doing the necessary research on both the panels and local building codes will avoid problems in completing your project. There are different codes for construction and, depending on the size of the panels you are going to install, you might need special building permits.
There are a few tips before you start to build your own solar panels that will save you a lot of time and money. Having a plan in place and doing the necessary research on both the panels and local building codes will avoid problems in completing your project. There are different codes for construction and, depending on the size of the panels you are going to install, you might need special building permits. You will also want to enlist the aid of a person who has experience with building solar panels in your area to learn about any issues that may arise that are unique to the place where you live. Building solar panels that will produce enough energy to run a home efficiently will require specific plans. Finding plans that have detailed instructions and a materials list will be very helpful when you are trying to assemble all of the tools, equipment and materials that you will need for installation. The plans also need to include alternatives for storing enough energy to run the home on cloudy days. Some plans include instructions for making the solar cells. If you are considering making the cells yourself, start small. It takes approximately 41,000 square inches of solar cells to efficiently run a home. Most cells are 4" square or 2"x5" rectangles with about 180 cells in a solar panel. All together you will need over 250 square feet of solar panel to produce energy effectively for a home. The cells are very delicate and each cell must be tested as it is placed in the panel. This can significantly increase the length of time your project will take to complete. Knowing how much energy you use in your home will be important when planning your project. Many people decide to use smaller solar units and cut down on their energy usage. However, remember that the solar panels you produce will be staying with your home if you sell it. The panels that you install should have enough storage to supply energy to the home on cloudy days. They should also be able to provide energy to the home without the need to reduce energy consumption. By installing the proper number of panels and an adequate storage unit, you will be able to maintain or increase the value of your home. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
