Building your own solar panels has never been so easy as it is now. Foreign manufacturers from China and Germany are creating high quality solar cells and reducing the price of solar panels dramatically. Government subsidies and research grants combine to increase the quality of solar cells. By converting to solar energy, you are not only doing good for the environment but you get the practical benefit of reducing your electricity bill. Just look around you. Thousands of people are installing solar panels on their roofs. It is no longer the domain of the wealthy. It makes real financial sense in a period of time where there is huge economic uncertainty.
The truth is solar panels have been around for years. The technology is incredibly sound. It is so easy to make using component parts that any average homeowner can build it. If you can build a bed set, you can build a solar panel, but there are a few things to keep in mind before jumping in with both feet.
- Materials - What are the materials required to build a solar panel? First of all you need high quality solar cells. High quality solar cells can be purchased as part of a solar kit or separately by purchasing bulk whole cells. The grade of the solar cell indicates the integrity of the cell. Is it broken, chipped, or missing? Secondly, you will need tabbing wire to connect the solar cells. In order to connect the solar cell to the tabbing wire you will need a flux pen. Of course, you will need all the hardware tools to put all these things together including welding.
- Storage system - You will either need a battery or an inverter. If you opt for a battery, you will need to find one that stores electricity without draining and can be left outside. An inverter is used to convert electricity right away from AC to Dc current used in appliances.
- Gridtied or Offgrid - If you decide to connect your solar electricity to your electricity grid you will need to know about any zoning laws in your area. There are a few utilities that will not allow you to tie solar electricity to your grid for fear that it will disrupt the transmission lines.
Solar electricity is very real. Solar power is within your means if you look longterm. The savings in electrical bills will more than pay for the price you pay for the initial costs. It is also a fun side project.
Find Instructions On How To Build A Solar Panel System HERE.
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