subject: You Might Think Creating A Solar Panel Is Hard, Think Again [print this page] In the future solar energy will be the main source our consumable energy. Many experts agree that there is no end in sight, at least not any time soon, for the sustainability of solar energy as a "green" energy source that won't have a negative impact on our environment. Homeowner's will consider this energy source seriously once they realize the cost of energy is reduced to zero after the initial installation and setup costs are incurred making it a viable source of heat and energy needs for an average household.
Most people worry about the initially high cost of the solar panels, which is the number one reason for not making the switch. All you need is some basic tools, an imagination, and the internet to create your own less expensive version of solar panels to achieve the same effect. The simplest type of solar panel to create can be made using items you may already own such as a screwdriver, saw, drill and a wooden container. In order for you to attach the solar cells and put the box together it may be necessary to have some wood glue and silicone caulk on hand. If you have a 12 V battery, similar to those found in most vehicles, you are in luck as these are necessary to store the electricity generated by solar panels. A plain old lead acid battery, which is very affordable, is what you'll need. Some institutions provide these batteries for free which is something you should look into if you are going to need a lot of them. Once the battery has stored enough electricity, you can use the energy by hooking up a power inverter to convert it to AC. This means you should get a true sine wave or modified energy converter. To get 60 MHz electricity, like out of your outlet, you must purchase or have a true sine wave inverter. Though more expensive, only the true sine wave device can create genuine AC electricity.
Since solar panels are essentially a set of solar cells within a container, you will need to make a container if you are taking the DIY route with your solar panels. Containers can be made out of a wide range of materials but the one that most people prefer is wood because it is easier to work with. Plywood is a great option to use for the back, but you can use any type of wood you have available. It is recommended that you have some wood inside the box to separate the cells and hold them upright as well as a covering of plexiglass over the top too. Since sunlight needs to get into each cell, plexiglass coverings are perfect ways to protect the cells from the elements and still allow full sun exposure to the cells. It's important that you remember to drill a whole for the wires to be pulled out of. Use solder to connect the individual cells to one another after mounting is complete. For many who believed it impossible or expensive to tackle this task it's often surprising to see just how inexpensive building your own solar panel really can become. You just need a bit of patience and make sure you have all the materials you need before you start.
In these days a lot of people who choose to build up their personal solar power systems prefer to do it with a step-by-step manual that provides them everything they need to do it the right way.
If you also would prefer to make your very own solar panels alone, in that case have a look at the bottom of this page.
