The Homemade Solar Panel Tip Guide

Homemade solar panels are economical and reliable. They are also easy to build with a little attention to some very basic instructions. There are several steps, but the actual work is quite simple.

Solar panels are simply shallow boxes constructed from various materials that house an array of solar cells. The instructions are straight forward and usually found in a written guide that you can get online from a number of sources. Individual solar cells can be made at home or purchased either new or used. The solar cells you use -both the number and type-will ultimately determine how much energy each panel will produce.

A word of warning; new solar cells are sometimes considerably more expensive. You can get slightly irregular new cells and even used ones. Don't be scared off by terms such as "irregular" or "defective". These usually work just as well as any other new cells provided the defect is not too severe. Solar cells are thin and somewhat brittle so you have to be careful about handling them. If you are buying them on-line, definitely make sure the seller explains their condition accurately and the shipping method that will be used.

Here’s another tip. Save yourself a lot of unnecessary work and buy only tabbed cells. You'll be glad you did when you realize you've cut your soldering time in half. Tabbed cells have the connectors already attached and all that is required is to wire one to the next. Cells without tabs will need to have tabs attached in addition to the required wiring connections.

Be aware of the size and type of the cells you are considering. The type of cell determines the voltage regardless of size and the size determines the current. Generally, bigger cells produce more current than smaller ones. Total power output is determined by amps X voltage. Here's another tip. Current capacity is limited by the smallest cell in the array so use matching cells within each panel. Otherwise the larger cells won't perform up to their rated capacity. If this all sounds complicated, it really isn't. Before you know it, the whole business becomes second nature.

Before installing them, make sure the cells are clean and free of any film or wax, and remember - they are somewhat fragile so keep them in a safe place until you are ready to use them and then handle them gently during installation. Follow these tips and get a good guide and your homemade solar panels should provide years of reliable service once you get them built.