Homemade Solar Cell

Solar energy has been successfully tapped for power since olden days by adopting various methods. Solar energy is inexhaustible. It is eco-friendly and costs nothing, in its raw nature. It requires very little maintenance as compared to other forms of energy. Using solar energy to power domestic as well as commercial requirements is a hot subject of discussion in the current power crisis situation. Are you eager to build your own solar panel? If so, look upon yourself as fortunate since it is relatively simple, even for a beginner.

Construction of a solar panel can be divided into ten stages, which again is based on what your needs are, the quantum of solar power you would want to be produced and the number of solar panels you are keen on building.

Do you know how much you may have to invest in order to build your own solar panels? It is possible to build one which would drastically bring down your electricity consumption charges to less than $200, provided you execute your job perfectly.

Some people that build solar panels connect them to their electric company utility grid to supplement the home-generated power and lessen the bills. Others want to completely disengage from the grid altogether and produce 100 % of the homes electrical power needs. To totally disconnect, you will likely need at least 4-5 solar panels with high sun exposure to generate sufficient power.

Here are the 10 steps you need to create your own solar panel:

Stage 1: Arrive at your power production requirement and thereby the number of panel it would warrant. Studies reveal that a daily normal domestic requirement in America ranges from 10,000 Watts to 30,000 Watts. Your requirement is based on the number of gadgets you employ and whether that includes air conditioners, etc. In case you have no idea, you may glance at your electricity bill to arrive at your approximate monthly power usage. A conventional solar cell generates around 2 Watts of power, implying that you may require approximately 5,000 to 15,000 separate solar cells to ensure total power supply to your residence, meaning you would need around 5-15 separate solar panels and not beyond that. If you do not contemplate depending entirely on solar energy for your domestic need and you are looking to just reduce your utility charges to half, you may consider that too and yet build you DIY solar panels, which would worth the time and energy you spend on it.

Phase 2: Immediately after you compute the number of solar cells needed for the job; buy them on eBay, by mentioning chipped or broken solar cells on search engine. They happen to be financially viable being as efficacious as any new cells. You may purchase the solar cells from the shops in your area also; however, procuring them from eBay would be a better proposition.

Phase 3: Next, you will have to procure other related items also for the solar panels. They are: 1. Not too thick plywood (nearby hardware shop) 2. Flexi-glass about 0.5 inches in thickness (hardware shop). 3. Tin-coated tabbing cable (peruse in eBay). 4. Silicone (for closing up holes). 5. Solder iron (for linking the cells). 6. Rosin flux pen (for connecting your cells). 7. UV Protector (to prevent damage to your new solar panel). 8. Volt meter. The moment the aforesaid items are ready, you may begin assembling or erecting your very first solar panel.

Phase 4: At the outset, prepare the plywood by sawing it to correct dimensions, tidy it and see to it that all the cells that you have purchased are accommodated neatly on it. Then, apply adequate coatings of UV protector on the wood to save it from harsh sun rays.

Step 5: After you have cut the plywood to the proper width and height, cleaned it and applied the UV Protector, you then will attach the solar cells together. This is not an easy task and will be discussed in more detail in another article, however, generally locate the tabs on the reverse side of each cell and using a soldering iron place a small amount of solder onto the tabs. Use the tabbing wire attaching the face of one cell to the reverse of the next in a repetitive manner until the rows have been completed.

Stage 6: Next, you are required to stick all the rows of cells on the back of your plywood sheet with the help of silicone. Besides, you are required attach wires to every row of the cells and make a hole behind your plywood to enable you to have the wiring from the cells to the battery or any other power storage equipment.

Phase 7: Fix the flexi-glass to the edges of your plywood sheet and adequately cover the cells, by applying silicone again.

Stage 8: Cover any gaping gaps or holes (circling the holes which your positive and negatives wires are passing through, or at any other place) with the help of silicone.

Phase 9: Now make a breather hole at the base of your plywood close to where the cables exit to prevent wetness deposition inside the solar panel.

Stage 10: Next, join the electrical wires from the panel to the panels junction box- which in turn will connect to your charge controller and then to your batteries. Remember to seek the advice of your neighboring hardware outlet when you are doing this to ensure you are in possession of the right volts and amps for your wiring ” as they are fully knowledgeable in this aspect to guide you after seeing your equipment.

To begin generating energy, move the solar panels into the sun. Attach a voltmeter to see if it registers output and how much power you’re generating.

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