How to Make Solar Panels

Making Solar Panels can be your Solution

Using solar power instead of conventional electricity is a good way to save money while protecting the environment. The major disadvantage with solar power is the initial cost of the equipment needed to create energy from the sun. Of course, throughout the years you’ll end up saving money in the long run. The problem with it is that the initial cost of solar power equipment is extremely expensive. Some states will give rebates for anyone willing to use solar power. Of course, there is one major way to save a lot of money on solar equipment. You can do this by creating your own solar panels.

There are a number of different things that you need before you can build a solar panel including bamboo wood scraps, nails, wood glue, a five watt sun force, a twelve volt solar panel, a one quarter inch plastic mono plug, and a solar DC charger controller for solar panels. You will also need a twelve volt rechargeable battery, four feet of eighteen gauge wire, two female terminal disconnects, a fifteen amp DC panel meter, a Reese towpower connector and a cigarette lighter adapter. You should be able to find most of these items at your local hardware store or on the internet. 

The first you will need to do is use the bamboo flooring scraps to make a box which will hold your solar panel. Using the glue connect the sides together and make sure the box is supported inside. Your box should have a flat bottom and it should be angled at the top so that it looks like the roof of a house. Next, cut a two or three inch round hole on two different sides of the box. This is done to lets air pass through. Next, attach your solar panel to the top of the boxes’ roof. You’ll want to glue and nail a few bamboo strips to the tops of the box as well. This will secure the panel to ensure that it doesn’t sit directly on top of the box. This allows for better airflow. 

Next, you’ll want to take the cigarette lighter adapter and cut the plug off of it. You’ll need to solder the mono plug onto the cigarette Y adapter. Next, be sure to insert the mono plug into the twelve volt outlet on the controller. Next, connect four power leads from the battery and the solar panel to the controller’s input terminals. Next, hook up the meter to the controller’s input terminal for the solar panel. Be sure to test all connections using a volt tester before attaching the battery. Finally, if everything checks out, connect the positive and negative feed wires. 

Next, place the solar panel on the roof top or in a location that will receive a lot of sunlight. Finally, connect a power cord and plug it into the appliance that you want to power. Be very careful when connecting the negative and positive wires. Remember the red wires are female wires and should be attached to the positive connections. The black wires are male wires and should be attached to negative connections. If you wish to create more power just attach more solar panels and add extra batteries up to twelve volts. Be sure that the battery, DC charge and controller sit inside the box on a frame of bamboo. And make sure the roof covers the entire thing. 

Be sure to remember that the controller has a twelve volt rating so be sure to not add to many extra solar panels. If you wish to add extra solar panels be sure to add another controller. If you need more information be sure to do a quick search online this should find you all kinds of information about how to make solar panels. If you need materials or even installation instructions check out EBay. You should be able to find all the materials and guides you need on there. Remember to always take your time and be very careful when working on such devices especially when going on top of your roof.