How to Build a Homemade Solar Panel
Producing your own electricity at home is a luxury. It cuts down your monthly bills and enables you to experience clean energy. Generally, installing photovoltaic cells and solar panels at home costs much. However, there is a hope to everybody who wants to experience this renewable energy at affordable price. Here’s how to build your own solar panel. Carefully follow these steps and enjoy the perks of solar power at the convenience of your home.
Purchase and Assemble the Material Pieces
There are different types of solar cells in the market. One of the most cost-efficient is the polycrystalline cells, which you might want to consider buying. When you purchase, deliberate how much wattage or energy you look to produce for your home. The specifications are listed, so make sure to read on those. Also, it would be better if you can buy extras since these cells are delicate and easily breakable. You can purchase these cells online or at any local hardware store nearby.
As soon as the materials are already available, you need to assemble them. First, measure the board and cut it. Then do the same for tabbing wires. Use the flux pen on each of the squares at the back of the cells and solder them when necessary. Then, heat the first half of the tabbing wire and bond it to the cell.
Connect the Cells
Put enough glue at the back center of the cells and press them into the board. Make sure that the tabbing wire runs in a single straight line in each row. Then, solder the cells together by applying flux to the contact pads of each cell. Connect the rows with the use of a bus wire until you reach the end. And repeat the process to connect it with another short bus wire.
Build the Panel Box
Measure the area taken by the panel where you placed the assembled cells. With this, you will need a box with the same size and an allowance of at least 1” each side. Also, make sure that there is enough space at the end for the bus wires. Cut a piece of plywood according to the panel size you measured. Then form the sides and attach them using desk screws. Next, paint the box according to your preferable color and attach the solar panel to the box securely.
Wire Your Panel
In wiring your panel, you will need a diode bigger than the panel’s amperage, a charge controller and batteries. With a silicone, connect the final bus wire to the diode. Make sure that the light-colored end of the diode is pointing toward the battery’s negative end to prevent the energy from travelling back to the solar panel when not used. Then, connect the panel to a charge controller and the charge controller to the battery, consequently.
Seal the Panel Box
To seal your panel, purchase a piece of plexiglass and ensure that it fits right inside the box you made for your solar panel. Attach block stops and insert the plexiglass. Using a silicone sealant, seal the edges of the box. Make sure that all the gaps are sealed to make it watertight. Follow the instructions to properly apply the sealant to the box.
Mount the Solar Panel
There are many options that you can choose in mounting your solar panel. You can mount it in your roof, in a cart or in a satellite stand. Whichever you choose, consider the angle of the sun’s path to maximize the use of your solar panel.
There you go. Give this a try and enjoy free power at home.
