Solar power is probably the most abundant power available, and pretty much anyone can use it. This supply of energy should, according to scientists, still be available several billion years from now; why not learn how to build a solar panel and tap into this remarkable energy source? Solar power is going to be around a lot longer than the ever more expensive fossil fuels most of us are currently using. If you are interested in learning how to build a solar panel, the first thing you need to know is whether you are living in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere. The hemisphere determines which way your home solar power systems will face; in the northern hemisphere you would want them to face south in order to catch the maximum amount of sunlight. In case the roof on which you intend to put the solar panels doesn't face the right way, you can attach them to poles which are in a location that will allow the panels to face in the proper direction.
If you know some basic carpentry, learning how to build a solar panel is going to be a fairly simple task. Naturally, the first thing you need is to gather up all of your equipment. Anything you don't have or cannot find at a local hardware or home improvement store will be easy to find online.
Taking a Rosin flux pen, apply flux to the bus strips on the solar cells. This way you can ensure that your tab ribbons will adhere properly when you solder them to the solar cells, which in turn will ensure the wiring is connected properly. The next time is to connect all of your solar cells.
After you have connected all of the cells for your solar panel, you want to affix them to the plywood panel using the minimum amount of silicon possible. You will need to drill two holes for the unattached wires coming from the solar cells you have connected together; make sure the wires feed properly through the holes. Once the wires have been passed through the holes, use silicon to seal any gaps. Since you are going to be covering the solar cells with Plexiglas, you are going to need to create a frame for your solar panel. The frame should be attached to the plywood with wood screws and silicon; you want the solar panel to be waterproof. Once that is done, use silicon and screws to secure the Plexiglas to the frame. Of course, you want to have the screw holes drilled into the Plexiglas ahead of time. You may crack it if you try to drill the holes once it's in the frame.
Now inspect your solar panel very carefully for any type of gap which may allow moisture to get in. Fill any gap you find with silicon, no matter how tiny the gap is. Remember that even with all of your hard work and care, moisture is still going to accumulate inside your solar panel. The last step is to drill a tiny hole near the bottom of the panel that is not near any of the wiring. This way air can get into the panel, which will keep moisture build-up to a minimum. And, because the hole is at the bottom, rain won't be able to collect inside the panel, either.
So, you thought learning how to build a solar panel would be hard. Fooled you! It isn't hard at all. Visit Earth For Energy Today!
