Build a Solar Panel - The Nine Must have Items You Need Before You Start!
Where to Find Solar Cells
How many cells you need will depend on the size of solar panel you are going to build. The cheapest way to get solar cells is either from eBay or find a local firm who uses solar cells in their equipment. Like road signs, these get damaged and chipped and get thrown away. However in most cases the solar cells work fine and you can recycle them.
12mm Thick Plywood
The frame of your solar panel is made from this sheet of plywood. Choose your plywood with care, you want a quality piece which is nice and flat. We will be treating the plywood later to make sure it doesn't rot when left outside to the elements.
Wood
You want to get a piece of 1"x1" or 1.5"x1.5" preferably hardwood to make a frame to hold the glass in place. Again we will be protecting it with a UV coating to give it added protection against the elements.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Soldering Wire - Tabbing Wire
The soldering or tabbing wire, connects the solar cells together either in series or parallel and caries the current to the copper wire. Tabbing wire is made from tin, it is very plyable and has a low melting point.
Silicone
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. The great thing about the silicone sealant is that you can also use to fix the solar cells to the plywood backing.
Tin Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The copper wires carry the current, which the solar cells have produced, to either an inverter, or batteries or to the grid. It is also used to hold the tabbing wire in place should it lift in certain places.
Soldering Flux
Flux is needed to ensure the tabbing wire sticks to the cells. A flux pen is very good for this as it is just the right width. The flux is applied to the zone where the tabbing wire is to be positioned, the tabbing wire is then assembled with the aid of a soldering iron which melts it in place.
UV Protector
Paint the UV protector on to the plywood and the wooden frame to increase the life of the solar panel while it is left out in the sun.
Volt Meter
You want to know what the output of your solar panel is, so you connect the volt meter to the output and then angle your solar panel so that it is direct sunlight. The more solar cells you add so the more volts you will produce.
How many cells you need will depend on the size of solar panel you are going to build. The cheapest way to get solar cells is either from eBay or find a local firm who uses solar cells in their equipment. Like road signs, these get damaged and chipped and get thrown away. However in most cases the solar cells work fine and you can recycle them.
12mm Thick Plywood
The frame of your solar panel is made from this sheet of plywood. Choose your plywood with care, you want a quality piece which is nice and flat. We will be treating the plywood later to make sure it doesn't rot when left outside to the elements.
Wood
You want to get a piece of 1"x1" or 1.5"x1.5" preferably hardwood to make a frame to hold the glass in place. Again we will be protecting it with a UV coating to give it added protection against the elements.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Soldering Wire - Tabbing Wire
The soldering or tabbing wire, connects the solar cells together either in series or parallel and caries the current to the copper wire. Tabbing wire is made from tin, it is very plyable and has a low melting point.
Silicone
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. The great thing about the silicone sealant is that you can also use to fix the solar cells to the plywood backing.
Tin Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The copper wires carry the current, which the solar cells have produced, to either an inverter, or batteries or to the grid. It is also used to hold the tabbing wire in place should it lift in certain places.
Soldering Flux
Flux is needed to ensure the tabbing wire sticks to the cells. A flux pen is very good for this as it is just the right width. The flux is applied to the zone where the tabbing wire is to be positioned, the tabbing wire is then assembled with the aid of a soldering iron which melts it in place.
UV Protector
Paint the UV protector on to the plywood and the wooden frame to increase the life of the solar panel while it is left out in the sun.
Volt Meter
You want to know what the output of your solar panel is, so you connect the volt meter to the output and then angle your solar panel so that it is direct sunlight. The more solar cells you add so the more volts you will produce.
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