Solar Company in Virginia Beach VA

Solar Company in Virginia Beach

How to Build Your Own Solar Panel

The sun is by far the most powerful source of energy for our planet; did you know that in only an hour the earth can receive enough energy from the sun to meet our power needs for a whole year? Today, we’re learning more sophisticated ways to benefit from the sun; solar energy is often the cheapest way to provide energy for our homes. Modern solar panels enable you to create electricity in a simple and cost effective manner.

It is not that difficult to build your own solar panels. If you know how to use a soldering iron and are handy with a saw you can build your own solar panels in no time. You will need some equipment as well as solar panels, wood for the container and plexiglass for the cover. Caulk should be used to attach the solar cells to the wooden container. If you can find solar cells that already have the tabs on them it will make wiring them up easier. Before you glue your solar panels in place you will have to solder tab on, if you are unable to find panels that have the tabs on them.

Your simple box with a plexiglass front will allow sunlight in but will ensure the protection of the cells. To attach the cells to the box, you will need to glue some strips of wood inside the box, also known as substrate, onto which you will glue the solar cells. Just a dot of silicone caulk in the center of the cell will keep the cells steady when the wood expands or shrinks. It’s imperative that you avoid damaging cells by using a single dot of this caulk to allow wood to shift. After you have pushed the wires through the hole that you drilled make sure that you have filled it with caulk. The plexiglass will have to be screwed on and mounted where you want it.

Batteries will need to be connected and you may want to solder a diode first. Charge your batteries using your solar panels. The latter would mean a waste of power and it can happen during the night. On the other hand, if you are using a charge controller then this step is not necessary.

Solar panels give you a cheap power alternative that can serve you well in difficult economic times and ever rising utility costs. Solar power can free you from depending on external conditions for your power needs, so that no matter what happens you’ll have a cost free way to get energy.

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