Make Homemade Solar Panels: Learn What it Takes to Make Homemade Solar Panels

Can a normal person without an applied science degree make homemade solar panels? Yes it is surely feasible for a non-technical individual to make homemade solar panels.

If you are thinking about generating your own electrical power at home then the most inexpensive way is to do it yourself and make homemade solar panels. To have solar panels and the rest of the solar electrical energy system installed by a solar installation company is just too expensive and it will take you a long time to recoup your financial investment with the savings from your electrical power bill.

When you want to start to make homemade solar panels, it is good to get some background knowledge about them first.

Solar panels make use of a photovoltaic (PV) system, which is a way to generate electricity by using energy from the sun. These systems have several advantages: they are cost-effective options in areas where extending a utility power line is very costly; they have no moving parts and need little maintenance; and they produce electrical energy lacking contaminating the environment.

Photovoltaic systems consist of photovoltaic cells, devices that convert light energy directly into electricity. Because the source of light is normally the sun, they are often called solar cells. The word photovoltaic comes from photo, meaning light, and voltaic, which refers to the generation of electrical energy. As a result, the photovoltaic process is about producing electricity directly from sunlight. Often confused with solar collectors used for heating water or others used for heating air, solar panels are from time to time also referred to as photovoltaic modules (PV) or solar modules.

The decreasing cost of PV systems and the increasing number of manufacturers and dealers for PV equipment have contributed to widespread use of the technology.

The quantity of solar panels you will need depends primarily upon the amount of electrical power you are trying to generate and the number of hours in the day that the solar panel will produce its rated output.

Solar panels vary in length and width, and are often about 2 inches thick. They are mostly about 30 pounds or less, but the larger ones (5 feet x 3 feet) can be cumbersome to carry on the roof. Framed solar panels are the industry standard, most cheap, and applicable for most home solar panel applications.

You'll find solar panels in a variety of wattages. Power output calculated in watts is the main measure of a solar panel, along with nominal voltage. For a rough idea of how many watts of solar you will require, start by dividing your electrical usage (in watt-hours per day) by the quantity of hours in the day that the solar panel will generate its rated output in your area. Bump that number up by 30-50% (to cover system inefficiencies) and you'll have an idea of the quantity of watts of solar panels you will need.

Solar panels cannot work on their own to produce enough electrical energy for the household. You need some additional components when you make homemade solar panels.

The electrical power from the solar panels flow in the form of direct current (DC) at a low voltage. However most residential appliances require alternating current (AC) at a higher voltage. An inverter is mandatory to convert the DC (usually about 12 volts) to AC (110 volts or 220 volts, depending on where you live).

No electricity is generated when the sunlight is not available at night or on clouded days. Batteries are used to store surplus electrical energy during sunny days, and electric power is obtained from the batteries when the sun is not available. An additional charge controller is compulsory to ensure that the batteries are not overcharged or drained -- this helps to prolong the battery's life.

Click here for an excellent solar energy guide that provides you with the necessary background on solar energy as well as a first-rate tutorial on how to make homemade solar panels.