Make a Solar Panel
August 26, 2010 by .
Filed under Featured, Make a Solar Panel
The most abundant source of fuel in our complex solar system is the sun. Anyone can tap into the sun’s energy and reduce their energy bills, eliminate the need for controversial fossil fuels, and help reduce environmental decay by choosing to make a solar panel. Once installed solar panels should face south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere.
The tools as well as the parts to make a solar panel are available at most home improvement stores or you can find them on the Internet. Most of the tools are probably in your tool chest. The tools needed are: a saw, a soldering iron gun, a rosin flux pen, a paint brush, a screwdriver, wire cutters, a caulking gun, a volt meter, and a plexiglass cutters drill.
The parts needed to make a solar panel include plywood sheeting, tin wire, plexiglass, solder, silicon caulk, UV-ray protective varnish, and solar cells. Solar cells are microcrystal cells that cost around two dollars each. About eighty solar cells normally produce around one hundred watts of electrical power. The volt meter is used to individually test the cells so you have an accurate record of how many watts each one produces. A solar panel designed to charge an eighteen volt battery would need thirty six solar cells that produce .5 volts per cell. Once you determine how many cells you need cut a piece of plywood that’s large enough to fit all the cells. The most common shape to cut is a rectangle, but you can use any shape as long as it fits your designated area.
Coat the plywood with the UV-ray protective coating. While the protective coating is drying apply flux using your flux pen to the bus strips on the solar cells and then connect them. Once the cells are connected use a little silicon so the cells are securely attached to the plywood. You’ll need a frame so you can cover the cells with plexiglass. Adhere the frame to the plywood using wood screws and silicon and then secure the plexiglass to the frame using screws and more silicon so it’s waterproof. Drill the screw holes into the plexiglass before it’s attached to the plywood to prevent cracking. Inspect the panel for gaps and seal them with silicon so moisture can’t accumulate in the panel’s interior. The last step when you make a solar panel is to drill a small hole in the bottom away from the wiring so air can get in and prevent a moisture build-up.
