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How To

How to Make a Solar Panel

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(11 Ratings)

Putting a solar panel together requires some basic knowledge of electrical and solar energy. A solar panel allows you to reap the rewards with a renewable energy resource. When the project is complete, you can use it to run virtually anything in your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Bamboo wood scraps
  • Nails
  • Wood glue
  • 5-watt sun force
  • 12-volt solar panel
  • 1/4-inch plastic mono plug
  • Solar DC charger controller for solar panel
  • 12-volt rechargeable battery
  • 4 feet of 18-gauge wire
  • 2 female terminal disconnects
  • 15-amp DC panel meter
  • Reese towpower connector
  • Cigarette lighter adapter
  1. Step 1

    Use the bamboo flooring scraps to make a box to house your solar panel. Glue sides together and supports inside the box. The box should have a flat bottom and angled top to look like a house roof.

  2. Step 2

    Cut a 2- or 3-inch round hole on two opposite sides of the box for air to pass through.

  3. Step 3

    Attach the solar panel to the top of the box roof. Glue and nail a few bamboo strips to the top of the box to secure the panel so that it doesn't sit directly on top the box for better airflow.

  4. Step 4

    Cut the plug off the cigarette lighter. Solder the mono plug onto the cigarette Y adapter. Insert the mono plug into the 12-volt output outlet on the controller.

  5. Step 5

    Connect the four power leads of the battery and the solar panel to the controller's input terminals. Hook the meter up to the controller's input terminal for the solar panel.

  6. Step 6

    Test all connections with a volt tester before attaching the battery. Connect the positive and negative feed wires. Put your solar panel on the roof top, or in an area that receives a good amount of sunlight.

  7. Step 7

    Connect an power cord and plug in your television or favorite appliance.

Tips & Warnings
  • Remember red, or female, attaches to positive connections, and black, or male, attaches to negative connections.
  • For added power, attach more solar panels, and add extra batteries up to 12-volts.
  • The battery, DC charger and controller should sit inside the box on a frame of bamboo with the roof covering the entire assembly.
  • The controller has a 12-volt rating. Don't add too many extra solar panels.
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