Im not going to try and kid you. Solar panels are expensive. In fact, neighboring to the storage batteries, solar panels create taking place the biggest financial barrier to most people converting to solar energy.
Now, you dont infatuation batteries if you dont want to deposit your solar generated capacity to use at night and on cloudy days. But there is no habit to build solar sparkle without using solar panels.
But what if you save a bundle of allowance by making your own solar panels? And what if you didnt have to be an engineer or physicist to reach it?
Well, you can. And I am going to work you how its done.
Required Tools
You probably already have most of the tools you habit if youre an average DIY person. Otherwise, in the middle of your local house increase and electronics store, you can acquire everything you need.
Hand or electric wood saw
Soldering iron or gun
Paint brush
Rosin flux pen
Wire cutters
Screwdriver
Caulking gun
Volt meter
Plexiglas cutters
Drill
Parts and Supplies
3/8 or outdoor-grade plywood (4x8 sheet)
4/8 sheet of Plexiglas
Tin wire
Electrical solder
Silicon caulk
UV-ray protective varnish
Solar Cells (available online or at electronic supply stores)
Ready? Lets get started.
1. Calculate the number of solar cells you habit by bearing in mind that 80 cells will fabricate regarding 100 watts of capability below ideal sunlight conditions. You obsession roughly speaking 36 cells to fighting an 18 volt battery.
2. Lay out your solar cells in rows and columns and then clip your plywood to a size indispensable to retain the dimensions you stop in the works with. Most people use a rectangular layout, but that is not necessary. Use any layout pattern that works best in imitation of your roof and the number of solar cells youll be using per panel.
3. Apply the UV-ray protective varnish to all sides of your clip plywood.
4. Use the rosin flux pen to intentionally apply flux to connector strips on each solar cell. after that use your solder and soldering gun/iron to be close to each cell together.
5. Use dabs of the silicon caulk to put in the amalgamated solar cells to the plywood panel.
6. Drill two small holes to accommodate the two wires leading from the last solar cell in your array. Feed the wires through the holes and later seal the holes afterward silicon.
7. construct the frame that will support the Plexiglas and use silicon and wood screws to tally the frame to the plywood panel containing your solar cells.
8. Pre-drill screw holes in the Plexiglas. next apply a bead of silicon on the subject of the edges of the Plexiglas where it will entre the frame. Press all along to create a tight seal and next screw in the wood screws. complete not over-tighten or you could break the Plexiglas.
9. intentionally examine the assembled panel to create certain there are no gaps where moisture can enter. Seal any openings considering silicon.
10. Drill a little hole on the bottom of the panel, away from every the electrical connections, to permit let breathe to way of being through the panel and remove condensation.
Guess what? Youve built a solar panel. Now that was easy, wasnt it?
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