subject: Use Solar Panels To Save Money And The Environment For Yourself [print this page] More people are willing to learn how to use solar panels to save money and the environment. They can build panels on their own to save even more money. This is possible with the instructional materials that are available in the market and online. Properly applied these guides are both an opportunity to learn and generate power.
It is possible to save money with solar panels you build yourself.
A collection of cells is constructed into a solar panel after they are wired together. You can easily purchase solar cells you will wire together to make a panel online. Good quality cells can be purchased online. If pre-tabbed cells are chosen they will make wiring the cells easier to accomplish. Of course aside from the basic materials you will need to purchase, tools and construction materials must be purchased.
A system using solar power to generate electricity uses cells, batteries for storage, a charge controller for energy regulation and a power inverter to convert DC electricity produced in the battery to the AC electricity needed for the devices in the house. A simple model can avoid using a charge controller with the attachment of the solar panel directly to the batteries. However, a charge controller can top off the batteries to keep them fully charged.
Do it yourself solar panels are possible.
What you need them for determines the number of solar panels needed. Do you want to power one device, a few or something more? The power bill contains relevant for calculations to be made.
Solar panels need sunlight of a certain intensity. This varies in the course of the day and in periods through the year. This intensity is measured by what is known as an insolation value. Different locations have different insolation values. Knowing yours is important to determine how many cells you need and panels are to constructed. This information is available online and helps guide you to need less panels or more. By dividing the kWh of electricity you will need to produce by the insolation value you can learn what is the amount of power required. Keep in mind that there will be a certain amount of loss of energy in conversion which is about 25 percent with the general quality of solar cells. Should you be in a location with a low insolation score, more and bigger solar panels are going to be required.
How to build solar panels.
To build your own panels, knowledge about the different solar cells is a requisite. Two types of solar cells are readily available. The most efficient type is the monocrystalline cell. This is more costly, but delivers the highest energy output and lasts longer. Polycrystalline cells produce less power; but, they are also cheaper. A simple system can be devised relatively easily. After you have decided on the type of cells you want you can build such a system by gluing and mounting them on a strong backing board and wiring them. A thick piece of plywood can serve as a backing board. The wiring diagram included with the purchased cells indicates the different voltages they can produce. Decide on the voltage and thus the cells needed to produce it. Then, lay the cells in a rectangle to give you the size you need for the backing board.
Solar cells should be attached to a board and then encased in a weatherproof container. Silicone caulk is useful for attaching to the board that creates a panel. The cells in this panel are then wired.
The container requires a see through top made from appropriate material is needed for tranparency. The easiest material to use for the rest of the container is wood. The wood is cut to the needed dimensions of the enclosure and the different sides are screwed together. A hole is to be drilled to permit wires to exit the bottom of the should be devised. You can thereafter learn to save money with solar panels you build yourself.
