Cut Your Electrical Bills With A Solar Panel

Solar panel is the answer to building a clean and green environment. Base on Albert Einstein’s explanation, this is due to natural elements such as silicon getting a charge when said element is exposed to direct sunlight. It is this principal that is the basis for solar panels. This principal is called solar photovoltaic.

What exactly is a solar panel?

It is a device that is able to convert the solar energy protons of light into electricity, using the variety of wavelengths of light plus low temperatures. The best solar panels are constructed using processed silicone however; this material is very expensive to process and to purchase. On the good side is that silicone isn't the only element that is capable of photoelectric effects. On the down side is that they are less efficient in producing the flow of electricity needed. On the plus side of this is that copper is easy to pick up at a hardware store.

The simplest way to build your own solar panel would be to purchase solar cells and build your own frame. When you are buying silicon solar calls, it would be cheapest by buying second hand or damaged cells. As long as the surface wires are intact, the cell should work fine. They will need a bit of time to make sure that they are working by testing and soldering them together.

Remember that while each cell produces half a volt no matter the size of the cell, the output increases with the size. Also the cells need to be the same size so the current isn't limited to the smallest cell.

Since silicon solar cells are so fragile they need to be encased in a rigid frame that will protect them from damage and prevent bending. Typically the frame is made from wood but the frame can also be metal. The front is made of glass or acrylic, commercially known as Plexiglas, Lucite or Perspex.

The frame is usually rectangular with multiple rows and columns of closely placed together. The frame edge needs to be high enough to cover the cells. Before attaching the solar cells they need to be tested to see if they can hold a charge. This is where a voltmeter comes in, to check to see it generates a voltage in the sunlight. The cells then are placed close together with the thin wires facing outwards and their tabs wired together. Since large panels can produce well over ten amperes of current, the panel needs to be wired with heavy duty hookup wire. Once the cells are arranged positive lead to negative lead of the next cell and connected, they need to attach to the frame by an adhesive.

This is the list of materials you need:

• Solar Cells
• Wire crimping tool
• Wire cutters
• A sheet of plywood
• Copper wires
• Screwdriver
• Cobalt steel jobbers' twist drill bit, heavy duty, wire gauge size 26, 3" L, 1c" L flute
• Machine screw size high-speed steel hand tap taper, 10-24, H3 pitch diameter, 4 flute
• 7/32 drill bit
• Plastic sheet cutter
• Reamer
• Pliers
• Hacksaw
• Solder, 60/40 or silver
• Soldering iron, or soldering station
• Sheets of glass
• Drill
• DIY installation guide

Once this done then it is time to do the final test, this is to see if the panel produces the expected voltage. Once you are satisfied then the cover can be screwed down and then sealed with silicone sealant around the frame edge so to protect against water. This is a brief explanation on how to build your own solar panel. You may want to get a DIY installation guide to make things easier for your building process.

If you are interested to learn more on how to build a solar panel, visit:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com

You may also want to get your DIY installation guide here:
http://www.earthenergyguide.com

Useful information solar panels:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/solar-panel-systems.html

Learn How To Cut Your Electrical Bills To Zero:
http://how-to-build-solar-panels.blogspot.com/2009/08/cut-your-electrical-bills-with-solar.html

Useful information solar photovoltaic:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/solar_photovoltaic.html