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Solar energy is truly magical. When you place bulky panels in the sun, electricity is generated from thin air and can be used to power anything you need. It's cheap, pays for itself relatively quickly, and is fully renewable. Of course, the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home can be scary in some ways. On average, it costs about $25,000. Much of that cost is labor and other materials, but solar panels themselves aren't cheap, with prices ranging from about $200 to $300 depending on wattage and panel type.
Given these prices, you may be wondering if you can't make solar panels yourself. The answer is, yes, you can. If you are reasonably handy, have used a soldering iron, and understand basic electrical principles, you can definitely assemble a solar panel yourself. You can order everything you need online or find it at your local hardware store, and the process isn't too difficult. However, building your own panels will likely cost as much or more than buying professionally assembled panels, so this shouldn't be considered as a way to save a lot of money. Please note in particular.
solar panel diy materials
Solar panels are surprisingly simple. All you need is a few basic ingredients.
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Photovoltaic (PV) batteries. This is a silicon-based material that actually absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. These are very easy to buy online, so all you have to do is decide how much power you want to generate and buy enough power to get there. If you're looking for a super cheap DIY approach, you can also buy a bunch of $1.50 solar lights at the dollar store, take out the tiny cells inside them, and create a cheap solar array. .
If you're really ambitious, you can even try a full-fledged DIY where you can create your own solar cells using copper plates. However, kitchen-made cells don't last as long or produce nearly the same amount of power as the cheapest manufactured cells, so if your goal is power over DIY beliefs, buy a cell. is needed.
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tabbing wire. This is a flat wire used to connect the cells into a “string”.
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liquid silicone. This is used to seal the connected solar cells. John Burke, president of the solar energy division of the American Solar Energy Association, recommends his DC 184 from Dow for this, but any clear liquid silicone will work.
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Solder and soldering iron. If you don't already have these, you can purchase lead-free solder and irons at hardware stores.
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Caulk or adhesive. Seal the panel using 100% silicone caulk. In a pinch, you can use strong adhesive, but it is not as waterproof as caulk.
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Encapsulation material. Once the cells are strung together and sealed with silicone, the cells must be further encapsulated. Solar cells are delicate and must be kept free of dirt and damage. Your best bet is to seal them between two pieces of glass. However, if you have or have access to a laminating machine, you can also laminate the panels. It's not as durable as glass, but it works just fine.
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multimeter. A multimeter tool is optional, but you should use it because you should test the connections throughout the assembly to ensure that they are not broken or loose, and that you are getting the expected wattage. We recommend that you do so.
If you're more focused on the fun of building your own solar panels, remember that you can purchase DIY kits that come with everything you need to build a small panel.
How to make a DIY solar panel
Once you have all the materials, you can start assembling your DIY solar panel.
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layout Place the solar cells in a grid. Sets up a “string” of cells, or rows of cells that are wired into one connected row. A typical panel layout is four strings of nine cells each, for a total of 36 cells. We recommend using a ruler to create a neat grid so that all the wires line up perfectly. Tile spacers ensure a tight layout.
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measurement With tabbing wire, you get two lengths that run from the top of the string to the bottom.
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solder Connect the tab wire from the front of the first solar cell to the back of the next solar cell, connecting the positive and negative. Repeat until all cells in the series are soldered. If you are using multiple strings, run the wires above and below the part where the wires stick out and connect them all by soldering.
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test. Now is a good time to take your multimeter apart and make sure it has good connections and is delivering the power you expect. If not, investigate and resolder if necessary.
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first encapsulation Comes with liquid silicone. Mix the silicone and then use a soft brush to spread the silicone and apply it gently. Leave the wires disconnected so you can connect them to the battery or whatever you plan on charging. Let the first layer dry, then apply the second layer.
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Second encapsulation. Place the cell strings on a glass plate. Place his second glass plate on top of it, making sure that no dirt or other contaminants get inside. Again, make sure the wires are outside the encapsulation so you can connect them. Seal with caulk.
that's it. If everything is connected correctly, place the panel in the sun and you should get usable juice. If desired, plywood frames can be constructed for the glass panels for added durability.
If you want to get a little fancier with your DIY solar panels, you can incorporate more durable frames, pegboard for extra-tight grids, and other enhancements. If you want to learn a little more about solar energy and the science and engineering behind DIY solar panels, you can download a free PDF. to catch the sun Ronnie Grafman, lecturer in environmental resource engineering and appropriate technology at Humboldt State University, and Joshua Pearce, professor at Western University in Ontario.
