5 Tips To Help You Build Your Own Solar Panel

Reasons to Build Your Own Solar Panel

 

1. You will save a lot of money

This year, energy prices went up by about 10%. On the other hand, the cost of installing solar panels went down, while their efficiency went up.

Basically, you are paying more for your electricity than you did last year when you can cut those costs and save a lot of money by installing solar panels on your roof.

Moreover, your solar panels will earn you money over their lifetime, which can be about 25 years.

 

2. Solar panels improve your home

If you have ever seen a roof with solar panels on top, you know how good the house looks. This aesthetic appeal also increases the value of your home when you consider selling it.

 

3. It is a low-maintenance energy source

Solar panels are easy to maintain. You only need to check the system after a few months and clean off any dirt that may be covering the panels. That’s it!

 

4. You love the environment

When you build your own solar panel, it is a demonstration of how much you care about the environment and wish to preserve it for the future generations. Solar energy is clean and renewable and that is the future trend for the world.

 

5. Solar panels are a long-lasting investment

The best purchases are those you can make and forget about them while they continue doing the job you needed them to do. That’s what solar panels provide: over a decade of energy for your home.

 

Tips to Help You Build Your Own Solar Panel

Now that you know why you should want to build your own solar panel, here are several tips to show you how to do it:

 

1. Plan everything beforehand

Make a plan for the entire project. Know what to do in each step. Measure the wood, the panels and the connecting wires needed. Plan out how you will arrange the cells.

Remember, before you build your own solar panel, you have to make sure you have checked all the local laws and sought approval where necessary. Also, this type of work will require commitment and a lot of research in order to complete it successfully.

 

2. Collect all the tools and materials needed

Start by purchasing solar cells that fit your energy requirements, the amount of space available to you, and how much money you want to invest in the project.

There are cheap options online that you can look for. It is advisable to get high-quality cells, which will last longer. You also need to consider whether you need to solder the cells on your own or simply purchase pre-soldered cells.

Collect other items such as: a board and a shallow box made from plywood; plexiglass; a soldering iron; glue; paint; saw; tabbing wire; drill; hammer; screws; an inverter; a battery; a charge controller; and a voltmeter. Depending on where you are going to place the completed solar panel, you might also need a mount and grounding lugs for a roof rack mount.

 

3. Assemble your materials

Get the plywood and cut it into the size you require. Build it into a board and shallow box and then paint it so that the wood won’t be affected by harsh weather and moisture. Drill tiny holes throughout the board plus two large holes on each end where the connecting wires will go through.

Take the solar cells and the tabbing wire then solder them in a series that fits the board. Keep checking the voltage of each cell after every new connection to make sure it is right.

Glue the solar cells onto your board. You can use silicone glue because it has great adhesive and sealing properties. Also, make sure you glue the back-center of each cell instead of the sides because the cells will be expanding once exposed to the sun and they might crack.

 

4. Finalise the connections

Insert the board with the cells into the shallow box. Take the solar cell connections you have made and connect them to a charge controller, which leads to your battery. After that, connect the battery to an inverter.

Your solar panel is now working. Check the voltage using the voltmeter to ensure it is generating the right amount of energy.

 

5. Cover the box and mount the completed panel

Use your plexiglass to cover your shallow box. Drill holes into the plexiglass and box, insert your screws and lock down your box.

The box needs to be watertight, therefore, use the glue to seal off any openings you can see.

You have finally managed to build your own solar panel. Congratulations.

Mount it in the space you had set aside. Perhaps, you wanted to mount it on a cart. This will require you to move the cart every now and then to take advantage of the sun.

Another option is to mount it on your roof. This will require you to build a rack on your roof where you will mount the panel. Get the racking mounts for your roof and screw them on.

Check your panels again before mounting them. The manufacturer of the roof racks will provide the instructions for installing the panels safely. After that, you are ready to enjoy your solar panel.

 

Just Ask the Experts

As you can see from the tips provided, with a lot of time and dedication, you can build your own solar panel. However, since there are many risks involved it’s better to considering installing new panels.