How to Build Solar Panels

Solar panels use a technology called Photovoltaic (PV), a process of converting the Sun’s radiation to electricity.  Before you can learn how to build solar panels, you have to have at least a basic understanding of how its system and its components work.  Here’s a brief explanation of the Photovoltaic (PV) process.

You can actually buy a pre-made solar panel from your local hardware store, but they are generally more expensive than building one yourself.

The first step to building solar panels is to get some solar cells. A solar cell can be cut into the desired size and connected in series with other solar cells of a similar size. While there are different types of solar cells, we recommend that you stick with the most common cells that produce 0.5 volts (V), 3 amps (A) direct current (DC).

These cells are packaged together to protect your solar panel from harsh outdoor conditions (solar panels don’t work very well indoors J), while maintaining its efficiency.  When you buy your components, you’ll have the option of using either a glass or Plexiglas front.  Our recommendation is to use Plexiglas because glass is too fragile (and especially since this is your first solar panel project).

Now that you have the structure of the panel, it’s time to put the solar cells in the solar panel. Draw a grid pattern on the solar panel to see where you are going to put the cells. Then lay the cells out on the line of your grid, making sure to place them upside down, and solder them together in a series. Next, glue the center of the cells in place on the solar panel.

Once you’ve built the solar panels and connected them together, it’s time to find a suitable place to put them where you can actually use them to harness energy from the sun.  Some places you might consider are on top of your garage, on top of your boat, on the roof of your home and as a form of garden lighting.  The possibilities are endless as long as you place them facing South to get the maximum amount of sunlight every day.

A lot of people give up on their solar panel projects because most of the information on the Internet is not specific enough to actually guide them through the process, from beginning to end.  However, there are some really good books (ebooks) that can give you step-by-step instructions on how to build solar panels.  Before you purchase any book, make sure you read the reviews on the side to ensure it’s the right product for you.  Remember, most publishers offer a 30-day money back guarantee on such products if you are not satisfied, so all you have to lose is your high energy bills.

Learning how to build solar panels can be a rewarding (and sometimes challenging) experience that will change the way you look at solar energy.