How To Build A Solar Panel From Scratch?

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I’m not going to try and kid you. Solar panels are expensive. In fact, next to the storage batteries, solar panels make up the biggest financial barrier to most people converting to solar energy.

Now, you don’t need batteries if you don’t want to store your solar generated power to use at night and on cloudy days. But there is no way to produce solar energy without using solar panels.

But what if you save a bundle of money by making your own solar panels? And what if you didn’t have to be an engineer or physicist to do it?

Well, you can. And I am going to show you how it’s done.

Required Tools
You probably already have most of the tools you need if you’re an average DIY person. Otherwise, between your local home improvement and electronics store, you can get everything you need.

• Hand or electric wood saw
• Soldering iron or gun
• Paint brush
• Rosin flux pen
• Wire cutters
• Screwdriver
• Caulking gun
• Volt meter
• Plexiglas cutters
• Drill

Parts and Supplies

• 3/8 or ½ outdoor-grade plywood (4x8 sheet)
• 4/8 sheet of Plexiglas
• Tin wire
• Electrical solder
• Silicon caulk
• UV-ray protective varnish
• Solar Cells (available online or at electronic supply stores)

Ready? Let’s get started.

1. Calculate the number of solar cells you need by considering that 80 cells will produce around 100 watts of power under ideal sunlight conditions. You need around 36 cells to charge an 18 volt battery.

2. Lay out your solar cells in rows and columns and then cut your plywood to a size necessary to support the dimensions you end up with. Most people use a rectangular layout, but that is not necessary. Use any layout pattern that works best with your roof and the number of solar cells you’ll be using per panel.

3. Apply the UV-ray protective varnish to all sides of your cut plywood.

4. Use the rosin flux pen to carefully apply flux to connector strips on each solar cell. Then use your solder and soldering gun/iron to connect each cell together.

5. Use dabs of the silicon caulk to attach the connected solar cells to the plywood panel.

6. Drill two small holes to accommodate the two wires leading from the last solar cell in your array. Feed the wires through the holes and then seal the holes with silicon.

7. Construct the frame that will support the Plexiglas and use silicon and wood screws to attach the frame to the plywood panel containing your solar cells.

8. Pre-drill screw holes in the Plexiglas. Then apply a bead of silicon around the edges of the Plexiglas where it will contact the frame. Press down to make a tight seal and then screw in the wood screws. Do not over-tighten or you could crack the Plexiglas.

9. Carefully inspect the assembled panel to make sure there are no gaps where moisture can enter. Seal any openings with silicon.

10. Drill a small hole on the bottom of the panel, away from all the electrical connections, to allow air to circulate through the panel and remove condensation.

Guess what? You’ve built a solar panel. Now that was easy, wasn’t it?

Article Tags: Solar Panel, Solar Cells

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jakob Jelling runs http://www.solarpanelmanual.com which focuses on solar energy. Click here for a step-by-step guide to installing'>http://solarpanelmanual.com/solar-panel-installation.php">installing your own solar panels.

How to Start a Solar Energy Business (cost effectively)

We are at the dawn of a solar revolution in the United States. Every aspect of the solar industry is experiencing explosive growth. Triple digit expansion in solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing, to the need for solar sales associates, to the huge demand for solar system installers. Opportunities abound everywhere. The renting of a solar energy system for your home is a new, attractive twist to the idea of switching to renewable energy. With the adoption of a leasing or rental model for residential solar electric systems, an average homeowner can now go green at home as well as build a part-time, solar energy business. The following article outlines the step by step requirements needed to start solar energy business cost effectively.





Step 1 – Understanding the Solar Energy Business

Environmental entrepreneurs are charged with connecting with homeowners, educating them related to their alternative energy options, and providing them with the option to rent a solar electric system. By starting a solar energy business, a person becomes a solar energy consultant, making it possible for homeowners to adopt solar (PV) technology in a simple, investment-free way. No other solar rental program makes it so easy.

This type of renewable energy business entails no up-front fees to get involved but there are time investments related to educating yourself and in turn educating the American homeowner about residential solar electric systems. The rental of solar equipment is just getting started with much adoption and growth expected. Solar energy is now cost competitive with the utility prices and homeowners no longer have to make an upfront investment to switch to solar power. They can simply rent a system and perhaps build a solar energy business on the side.

To start a solar energy business, a person does not need to be a college graduate or a seasoned sales executive. All that is needed is the desire to make a difference and share the belief with others that solar power will make that difference.

Step 2 – Structuring of Your Solar Business

As a solar energy consultant, you are trained and supported by an experienced sales manager. The sales manager will support you in your initial days of solar energy industry education, sales cycle management, and how to effectively use the free sales tools. As you progress and begin to desire more responsibility, you can become a sales manager yourself by beginning to build your own marketing team.

Step 3 – Registering and Completing the Solar Energy Training

Registering online is just the first step to working towards managing your own solar energy business. Training is the second required step in the process. This small business opportunity demands detailed knowledge of the solar energy industry.

You do not need to become an electrician or solar energy system installer but you should work to understand the difference between fossil fuels and renewable fuels, to understand how the electricity grid works, and to understand how residential solar energy works. You must be properly trained in solar energy topics and related technology so that you have the confidence to pass on this knowledge.

Training tools are available to assist you with the required testing. Training tools, testing, and ongoing support is all free. It is also important to continually build your knowledge of the renewable energy industry. This solar energy business requires no investment on your part but it does stress training and the use of training tools because accurate knowledge breaks down barriers.

Step 4 – Receiving Solar Energy Business Support

This solar energy business is centered upon ongoing support and growth. It is necessary for solar energy consultants to process solar system sales or referrals. There are free sales cycle management (CRM) tools included with this business opportunity. The sales aids make it very simple to complete the processing and help homeowners to rental a solar energy system.

These tools are provided to help build your solar energy business:

* One-on-one training from your sales manager,
* Training resources, books, brochures,
* Internal and external corporate websites,
* Help desk and knowledge base (both support and training),
* and much more.

The solar energy business explained here has a great mission. Its grassroots goal is to spread the use of clean, renewable solar electric power as simply and as rapidly as possible. This opportunity has eliminated as many obstacles as possible to both the rental of solar electric systems for home owners as well as to entrepreneurs wishing to start a solar energy business.

The overall job of a solar energy consultant is to become ambassadors for positive change in the World of renewable solar energy. Solar energy is vital to the U.S. economy, energy security, and the environment. There is a simple choice to do the right thing. By helping America to rethink solar electric powerBusiness Management Articles, you can start your own solar energy business in a very cost effective way.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

At Solargies (Solar Energies), our objective is to spread the adoption of renewable solar energy as rapidly as possible. Daniel Stouffer is writer and promoter of green energy. Learn about Renting a Solar Energy system at http://www.Solargies.com