Panel Meter
Building Your Own Solar Panels – Quick Start Guide
For any homeowner interested in building their own alternative energy source, a simple understanding of solar power generation and terminology is necessary.
Technology Backgrounder
A solar panel or photovoltaic (PV) cell will be the semiconductor that captures sunlight and converts it into direct current (DC) electricity. Photovoltaics would be the cleanest and most direct way to harness the Sun’s energy. Several PV cells arranged into a panel and installed onto a set surface make up a solar power or a PV module. Several PV modules connected in series makes up an array.
PV modules are rated in watts in line with the maximum power they can produce when performing under ideal conditions. The rated output determines the amount of modules are needed to satisfy the homeowner’s electrical needs. A typical household requires an electrical system that produces between Less than six kW.
Types Of PV Modules
There are three common production technologies for Electricity cells.
Single Crystalline – The priciest production technique but also the most efficient sunlight conversion technology available. Efficiency rating of approximately 10 to 12 percent.
Polycrystalline or Multi-crystalline – Slightly reduced conversion efficiency in comparison with single crystal but cost you a bit less. Efficiency rating of approximately 10 to 11 percent.
Amorphous or Thin Film – Production is less expensive than any other method nevertheless the collectors are less efficient so more area is required. Efficiency rating of approximately 5 to 7 percent. These components are often almost black colored.
Renewable Energy Investment Cost
With an average cost of $5 per watt, a typical household will require a good investment of at least $15,000 to $25,000. As well as the PV modules will are the cause of at least $9,000 to $15,000 of the upfront cost. By purchasing commercial modules, it will save you time and frustration but this is a lot of hard earned money to do without.
A better alternative is always to build your own panels. With no, you cannot build a PV system at no cost from junk yard parts. There are numerous do it yourself (DIY) guides on the net showing you how to create a cheap solar panel for around $200 using used or chipped Electricity cells available from eBay or bulk resellers. For your first project, purchase cells that aren’t broken as it can make the project easier. The most used DIY kits are Earth 4 Energy, Energy 4 Green, and Make Power At Home.
What Materials Are Needed?
For the basic PV module, you will require:
Solar collectors – basic conversion technology
Plywood – backing for holding the Electricity cells
Wood – for framing a border across the cells and flexi-glass
Flexi-glass – this goes over the PV cells
Basic tools and supplies needed are:
Tabbing wire – for connecting the collectors together
Silicone – for holding the Electricity cells onto the plywood and also the flexi-glass to the border
Solder – for holding the wires to the back of the Electricity cells
UV Protector – for protecting the plywood
Volt meter – for measuring the PV module power output
Do you know the Steps?
The basic steps for constructing a solar power are:
Cut your plywood backing to size
Apply a few coats of UV protector for your plywood
Join Electricity cells together using a soldering iron and tabbing wires
Fix connected cells to plywood backing using silicone
Build the module borders using more plywood
Fix the flexi-glass for the borders and cover the solar collectors
Connect the wires with a charge controller
Repeat steps above for building more PV modules as required
For complete step-by-step instructions, some of the popular guides mentioned earlier provides detailed instructions with accompanying video instructions to even help you to follow.
Be sure to don’t start to large by building a few solar panel systems first and then contributing to your power array over time.
What’s Next?
Solar panel systems are just one component of a solar photovoltaic system. An in-depth cycle battery is necessary for storing the electricity generated, an inverter for converting the DC power into alternating electric current (AC) for household appliances usage, a system meter for monitoring it levels, and a charge controller to protect the battery from being overcharged. Having a complete solar system, you commence saving money on electricity from the first day.
Just thought you may well be interested in reading this guide: photovoltaic solar panels and solar panel installation.
DataView II LI55 Universal Panel Meter: Part 1
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