Materials For Building a Solar Panel

!±8± Materials For Building a Solar Panel

When deciding on building a solar panel, one of the most important decisions will be what materials you use.

In order to build a solar panel you will need the following materials; 36 whole monocrystalline solar cells, 45 ¾ inch by 22 ¼ inch plywood, 45 ¾ inch by 22 ¼ inch plexiglass, ¾ inch by ¾ inch wooden molding, Masonite pegboard (45 ¾ inch by 22 ¼ inch), blocking diode, electrical jack, solder, copper tabbing wire, flux pen or heat resistant adhesive, and silicone caulk. In order to store the energy, you will need a battery source or an inverter. Inverters are used to convert DC current to AC current, that can be used by most home appliances.

The most important decisions for building materials will be:

Solar cells - Solar cells comes as either monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous. Monocrystalline cells are the most efficient cells but also the most expensive. These cells are made up of whole silicon crystals that operate better than polycrystalline cells in limited sunlight. Polycrystalline cells are the most common types of cells. They are less efficient than the monocrystalline cells but also less expensive. As long as the efficiency is within 1-2% of the mono cells, you should be fine. Energy storage - For a small scale solar panel system, most people will opt for a simple 12V battery. In order to produce enough electricity for the battery you will need at least 18V. Grid Tie or Offgrid - If you decide to tie the electricity to your energy grid, you will need an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) to alternating (AC) current. This will allow you to power most appliances around your house.

The biggest cost you will incur is the cost of the solar cells. As of 2010, monocrystalline cells cost about six dollars each. To reduce the cost of the solar cells, you can purchase cracked or broken cells at a discount. Financial assistance is often possible for initial building costs. If you decide to build your own solar panels, you will also need a detailed set of instructions.