Build Your Own Solar Panels

Find out what are the terms and the names of the component parts. List every-day tools that are needed to complete this project. Building solar panels isn't that difficult at all. Start today!

1. Customize solar panel output voltage and watts

2. Make tab and bus ribbon connections

3. Solder the cell together in series or parallel.

4. Wire a photovoltaic panel

5. Purchase solar cells or learn how to build your own solar cell

6. Test PV solar panels

Designing a solar panel

Remember the current rating or amperage of each cell can vary, a single PV solar cell, no matter how large or small, will only put out .5 volts (half a volt). Watt output is equal to volts x amps, so for example, .5v x 1.78a = .89 watts.

Most common panels, for a variety of design reasons, contain 32 to 36 individual solar cells. A 36 cell panel would give maximum voltage in a solar panel system. Designing a higher voltage panel for a cloudy location can produce more watts with less sun.

Calculate the no. of solar cells

You will need to figure how many cells add up to the voltage you want from the panel. In this project, we will use 32 single pv solar cells, each .89 watt and 4" square. This will make a solar panel that, with full sun, will put out 16 volts at almost 2 amps. That's more than sufficient to charge a 12 volt battery supply system.

Solar Panel Layout

We now know the output of the panel (16v) and using 4" solar cells, we can plan the layout of the solar panel. Since we will use 32 cells, we can lay them out in a pattern of 4 across and 8 down (8 x 4 = 32).

Any layout will work, but this is a common size, shape and an efficient way to use the space. One of the advantages of building your own PV panels is that you can make them any size or shape you wish, very handy when building solar panels for water vessels, cruisers and RV caravans. Basic rectangle or square is the usual configuration.

Solar Panel Position

The position for the solar panel array depends on location and your house deign. Consideration of the sun's travel across the house is most important, where the sun shines the longest and without any shadows from trees and neighboring houses.

Learn how to building solar panels:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Building-Solar-Panels-From-the-Comfort-of-Home&id=3717430

Learn How To build your own solar cell:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Build-Your-Own-Solar-Cell&id=2536419

Learn how to build a solar panel:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-How-to-Build-a-Solar-Panel-to-Save-Electricity-in-Your-Home&id=2727558