How to Make a Frame Solar Panel
Having frame solar panels built into your home by solar contractors can be very expensive. However, most people believe that building a solar panel frame just isn't feasible. The fact is you can do it for yourself and save money along the way.
The cells in a solar panel convert light from the sun to electricity, which is stored in a battery.
Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Research and find small solar cells for purchase. They should be about $4 or $5 each. Use solar cells composed of only of copper. Some solar cells are also composed of silicon. Although silicon converts the sun's energy quicker than copper, they are not feasible for home use. According to Scott Albright, of Global Solar, copper cells are now also cost-competitive with silicon cells. Make sure your solar cells contain metal tags as well.
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Place the copper cells down flat and next to each other on a thin sheet of metal. Bind them together by attaching the copper wire to metal tags that are marked and found on the solar cells. The charge passes through the metal tags. Use regular copper wire from any hardware store. Drill small holes into the sheet of metal. These holes allow connectivity to the power of the solar cells, and this process charges the battery.
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Connect the end of the copper wire to the battery, which will then be charged by the solar-powered electric currents. You need only one battery. You can then use the battery for powering household appliances or a solar water heater.
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Locate the area of your home that receives the most sunlight. If possible this location should be the south side of your roof. Secure the solar framework onto this area of the roof.
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Secure an amp meter onto this framework of solar cells. This automatically measures the generation of electricity from your copper solar cell framework based on volumes of naturally produced amps and volts. It does not need to be hooked up to the copper wiring.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you have created your own frame solar panel, you will not only feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment, but also know that you have personally contributed to helping our environment naturally harness the infinite power of the sun.
References
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Comments
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Ron Auerbach
Nov 08, 2010
First of all, the individual solar cells used to make panels are typically 0.5 or 0.55 volts each. And you'd connect 36 in series to create a panel for use with a 12V battery, which is what's generally used for home appliances. So 10 cells won't even be enough for a 6V battery because you need about 2 volts more than the battery size. Secondly, if you're going to be using a SLA battery, it's best to connect the panel to the battery via a charge controller. This monitors the charging process to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery or cause a fire. Lead acid batteries will vent hydrogen when overcharged, which is flammable. So proper monitoring of the charging process is very important! Thirdly, solar cells for use in making panels can be tabbed or untabbed. Untabbed cells don't have the wires attached for connecting to other cells. Tabbed cells have the wires...
