Building solar panel is one way of getting a skill that can start rolling money into your bank account. You can start providing alternative power solutions to those that needs it. There are companies and individuals looking for cheap and reliable power source which properly built solar panels could provide.
If you are interested about this skill then you are reading the right post. I will try as much as possible to give you detailed information on how to build solar panels either for personal use or for commercial use.
HOW YOU CAN GENERATE ELECTRIC POWER FROM SOLAR PANEL
Yes you can generate substantial amount of volts from solar panel however, it can take you lots of space if not properly built. A properly-arranged solar panel reduces space and provide higher voltage and amperage.
You can generate electric power from solar panel by arranging good number of Solar cells in series and parallel connections to provide the needed voltage and amperage. A single solar cell can provide a certain amount of voltage and amperage when such cell is combined with several other similar solar cells, higher voltage and amperage will be produced. That is how the solar panel works to provide the electric power you need.
HOW TO SET UP SOLAR PANEL
Building of solar panel starts with buying of solar cells. A solar cell is a small-flat board with lines of semi-conductors in it which helps it to absorb the radiation from the sun and turns it into DC. Each solar cell has specific voltage and amperage it converts from the sun radiation and such is according to the materials used in making it as well as its size.
Normally, the quality of a solar cell is defined by the amount of volt and amperage it can provide as compared to its size, other factors include the cell materials, the working temperature, and expected lifespan.
Making your own solar panel is not as difficult as you may think but it can be time-consuming and requires carefulness.
First of all, you need to make order for solar cells based on the voltage and amperage you want to produce. The voltage and amperage of each solar cell defines how many of it you will need for the solar panel. Buying tabbed solar cells will reduce the work for you because the terminals had been fixed on each cell though it is costlier than the solar cells that has no tab terminal wires. You will need to solder the terminal wire on each solar cell for those without the terminal. Note that the terminals makes the connection of two and more solar cells to be possible.
Secondly, get the tools you will need. You will need screws and it drivers (You buy screwdriver hand machine), you will need wood gum, sealants, painting tool and paints, soldering wires, wire tab, wooden board, wooden frames, Plexiglas, rubber hand groves, glue, and soldering flux, etc.
Thirdly, get Solar Charge controller, solar panel battery, and power inverter. This may be optional if you are just trying to build the solar panel for experimental purpose only.
PROCEDURE
1.If you are using solar cells that have now tab wire (connection terminals), start by soldering terminal wires to the positive and negative terminals of each solar cell. If you are using tabbed solar cells (i.e. Solar cells with positive and negative wire terminals).
2.Measure the number of solar cells you need in each row arrangement and know the voltage and amperage it gives.
3.Use the width and length of the row to multiply with more voltage and amperage you need to get the full size of solar panel you need to build. If this is difficult for you, simply arrange the cells the way you want it to be and calculate the power the total cells give when the cells in a row is arranged in series and each row is connected in parallel to each other. The space the arrangement occupies will be the size of board you need to make for the solar panel.
4.Measure out and use plastic board or wooden board (preferably, Flat board) to mount the solar cells. You can achieve this by using glue to bond the solar cells to the board. Before then punch holes on the board where the terminal wires can pass to the back of the board. This arrangement makes it easy to connect the solar cells the way it should be when you are ready for the connection of the cells. It also helps to detect defective solar cells during the solar panel maintenance.
5.Use the wooden frame or wood for making of frames to frame the board. The board can rest at the middle of the frame providing space for the terminals at its back.
6.Use Plexiglas to seal the front of the board with the solar cells already anchored and arranged on the board surface. Use sealant to fill any space between the wooden frame and the Plexiglas covering the solar cells. There should not be any leakage or space between the Plexiglas and the frame to avoid water entering into the panel when it is raining.
7.Now it is time to go to the back of the board and start your terminals connections. Connect positive terminal (+ve) to a negative terminal (-ve) for solar cells in the same row by soldering them together with a soldering wire.
8.After connecting solar cells in each together to make series connections of all solar cells in a row, start connect all the rows together in a parallel connection. This implies positive (+ve) terminal of row 1 should be connected to positive (+ve) terminal of row 2 same thing with the negative (-ve) terminal connections.
9.After your connections, use plastic board or Plexiglas board to seal the back of the solar panel or leave it that way if you don’t have any of such things again.
At this stage you have got a solar panel with accurate voltage and amperage you need. Go ahead to test it by connecting a non-return current diode on the negative terminal of the solar panel and connect it to a solar power controller.
The solar power controller sends the power to rechargeable batteries for charging purpose and provides space where you can use the power directly from the solar panel.
