If you’re interested in making DIY solar panels, this may be the most important place you discovered. Here’s why…

For every curiosity you have in your mind, there will almost certainly be a resource available to satisfy it.

Whether you want to build a solar panel by connecting individual photovoltaic (PV) cells or buy it retail… whether you are a do-it-yourself, homemade guy or a swear-by-a-brand person, we have mini-resources prepared for you.

Otherwise just write to us to request for it…and we’ll get it up just for you.

In the future, we’ll broaden our scope to include bits and pieces of other types of renewable energy generator like wind turbines.

For starters, you can browse the following pages to get up to speed with the DIY solar power world. Tell me what you think:

• Insider Solar Power Generator Review: 3 Most Common Mistakes Hobbyists Make on Their First DIY Solar Panel Project
• 3 Secrets You Didn’t Know About Building Solar Panels
• 1o Reasons Why You Should Build Your Own Solar Panel
• How To Build A Personal DIY Solar Power System With Less Than $99
• Build Amazing Home Solar Power Systems Used by Families Who Don’t Want to Pay For Their Utilities
• How To Build Solar Panel (Part 1 of 3)
•  How To Build Solar Panel (Part 2 of 3)
• How To Build Solar Panel (Part 3 of 3)
• Step-By-Step Guide To Build A 12V Solar Panel
• Solar Panel Battery — The Basics
  

Continue Reading:

1. Insider Solar Power Generator Review: 3 Most Common Mistakes Hobbyists Make on Their First DIY Solar Panel Project
2. 10 Reasons Why You Should Build Your Own Solar Panel
3. Build Amazing Home Solar Power Systems Used by Families Who Don’t Want to Pay For Their Utilities

Save the Earth

There are many advantages in creating a greener workplace. By reducing and reusing, we can help our environment and save money for our organization.

However not everybody knows what to do when it comes to greening their workplace. Here are 5 simple tips you can share with your friends to get them on the right path:

1. Be smart about light and heating

Turn off the lights when you are not using them for 15 minutes or more. As often as you can, utilize natural light. When you leave the lights on without using them, you are wasting resources.

As little as this may seem, they add up. And by the end of the year, you’ll have wasted a considerable amount of energy.

Heating costs eats up your office budget more than you imagine. By leaving the heater on longer than necessary, you are draining up to 40% more electricity.

What you can do is paste notices at the door so the last person to get out of the office can remember to switch off the lights and heater (or air-conditioner).

If this doesn’t work, try installing a timer instead. This nifty device pays for itself many times over and is easy to install.

2. Maximize your computer efficiency

Do not leave your computer on throughout the night. You can save a lot of power simply by shutting down your computer before you leave the office.

If you can, switch off the power supply at the mains instead of putting your computers on standby. This is because even if your computer is turned off, it still draws power from the mains.

3. Printing and Going paperless

In every office, we tend to print more than we need. What we do not realize is we can reduce our paper consumption and recycle pieces of paper we intend to throw.

We can do this by printing on both sides of the paper and by printing on the back of old documents, faxes, scrap paper or drafts.

Ink is another resource we can easily save. As far as possible, avoid color printing and print in draft mode. Draft quality, in most cases, is not too faint for comfortable reading.

You can also unsubscribe from needless catalogs, newsletters and magazines. This alone can save lots of paper every year.

When choosing paper, insist on chlorine-free paper with a high post-consumer recycled content. You can also recycle toners and cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. They cost less and it takes less energy and materials to manufacture them.

4. Recycle more

Almost everything can be recycled. You just have to take a look at what you discard everyday and think of what else it can be used for. In the worst-case situation, your trash can be brought to the recycling bin.

5. Rethink Traveling

Traveling incurs costs (and time) and increases the amount of fossil fuel we burn. Burning also contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. By using technological advances like video-conferencing and the Internet, you can be talking as if you are meeting people face to face.

Ideas such as the above are simple to implement and goes a long way to help the environment…

…yet this can only be achieved when enough of us do it.

Therefore send this article to your colleagues and friends, and encourage them to do these little things that can help our environment in meaningful ways.

Continue Reading:

1. Recreational Vehicle (RV) Solar Panels
2. 7 Tips You Can Use When Buying Solar Panels
3. 3 Ways to Reclaim Value From Used Solar Panels

So how do you know if building a do-it-yourself solar panel is the right thing for you?

There are a few guidelines that can help you along. In this way, you won’t ever have to get into a project just to abandon it mid-stream.

You should build your own DIY solar panel if:

1. You are able to work with simple tools and have a weekend to spare

Thankfully, all it takes to build a reasonably sized solar panel are simple tools and a weekend. If you have browsed through the free book titled “How To Build A Solar Panel”, you’ll understand it doesn’t take much. (Download it now, if you haven’t…)

This assumes you have already gathered all your materials and have them cut to size. In fact, if you already had some DIY experience, you can even build a solar panel (not the complete set to power your entire home) in an afternoon.

However do note that integrating your inverter and the battery bank into your power system certainly requires planning and installation. And this takes up time as well.

2. You are not willing to invest much into a solar power generator

Cost is the main reason people build their own solar panels. This is understandable. You can easily burn at least $20,000 (depending on the size of your house) to install a solar energy generator. And things are not getting any cheaper…

With homemade solar panels, you’ll only have to part with a fraction of this cost. This means you’ll get your returns on investment sooner. And your home may be worth a lot more than it originally was without spending a ton of money. In some states, you can receive tax breaks just by using renewable energy like solar power.

In terms of dollars and cents, it certainly makes sense to build your own photovoltaic panels.

Of course, there is no point in starting a DIY project if you simply have no time or are totally uninterested in picking up even a screwdriver to put the solar panel frame together.

Needless to say, if you have spare cash (to the tune of $20,000) to burn, it can be quite fun to watch the contractors climb onto your roof to slap on a few pieces of solar panels while you sit at your garden with a can of beer in your hand.

Seriously, you have to take some time to decide for yourself if building homemade solar panels is for you. Otherwise you can start a DIY solar panel project and leave it uncompleted, shelving it for years in your garage.

Continue Reading:

1. Homemade Solar Panels
2. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 3
3. Solor Panel Inverters – Synchronous Solar Panel Inverters

Sealing Off A Crack

Before you install solar panels, you need to perform an energy audit.

This serves a two-fold purpose – to determine the size of your solar power generator and to identify sources of energy wastage that can be avoided.

As you are doing your household energy audit, it is useful to check for air leaks. They account for as much as 5 to 30 percent of your energy wastage (when it comes to heating).

If your windows and doors are closed and you feel an air draft, you have a good chance of cutting down wastage simply by plugging the leaks.

The best time to test for air leaks is when it’s cold outside and warm inside. You can feel cold air quite easily this way.

A pressure test can quickly surface any leakages around your house. All you have to do is close your doors and windows, turn off all heaters and turn on your exhaust fans to full blast.

In this way, the pressure inside your house is slightly lower than the outside. Thus more air will flow through those leakages to equalize the difference in pressure.

Go around the house and look for leaks. Pay more attention to windows, doors, electrical outlets, switches, hatches and joints. Once you find a leak, mark them out immediately.

Before you seal off those leaks, you have to turn off the exhaust fans.

You can use transparent silicon caulk to plug all your air leakages. The best way to handle this is to use a caulking gun that has a pressure relief gasket. This allows good control of silicon flow as you plug those leaks.

Another way to plug air leaks is to use an aerosol can of expandable insulation. This is difficult to use, initially, as it is hard to control its flow. But it works very well. So if it’s your first time using this, get some practice on used magazines.

There may be several places that leak air. Windows and doors are easy to handle. But if you have to climb up to your roof, remember to take precaution so you won’t risk falling.

After you’re done plugging up the leaks, repeat the pressure test. Then mark out those areas you have to work on again and get cracking.

You can also check for leaks outdoor. Most often, they appear in cracks, around faucets, pipes, electrical wiring and electrical outlets. Unfortunately there is no way you can feel for air leaks outside your house.

The only way to handle this is to do a visual inspection. If you suspect a leak, give that area a touch of silicon caulk.

After you are done plugging all your air leaks, your heating system can be more efficient. Thus your indoor temperature can be maintained using less energy.

Continue Reading:

1. About
2. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 3
3. 7 Different Ways of Using Solar Energy At Home and In Your Office

Home Solar Panels

You may aspire to build a full-scale solar panel system for your house. This is awesome, because you’ll be able to start reducing your utility bill (or eliminate it) and also help the environment at the same time.

However if you are doing every part of the installation yourself, you must be aware there are dangers involved. If you are not careful, serious injury or death may result.

Remember: Safety first.

Always ask yourself what you will be handling and the skill set (experience) you have. If you are a first-timer, you may find expert help useful.

Generally, if you take precautions and follow the usual safety procedures, you should be able to make your own PV panels without any issues.

So what are those dangers?

Here’s a list of them. Read them carefully and think of what precautions you should take when you’re doing those tasks:

1. Handling high voltages in grid-tied PV systems

Only qualified personnel should be meddling with different connections to the grid. In most areas, unless you are licensed, you are not allowed to make connections to the grid anyway.

Hire an electrician if you are not 100% sure. They are not too expensive and risking your life just isn’t worth the savings. Voltages at the mains are seriously high and it can kill.

Also, if you use the wrong cabling or make connections in the wrong configuration, you may have problems with your home insurance. You could also have a hard time selling your house until some licensed personnel fix this.

(The government doesn’t want to give you a hard time, they’re just trying to keep things safe.)

When handling any power cable or electrical connections, wear an insulating glove. Do it even if you know it isn’t connected to the mains or the breaker switch is off. You can never be too sure.

2. Installing solar panel on roofs

It is dangerous to be up on the roof at any point in time. Most people have no idea what it is like to work on roofs. Not only do you have to be carrying the solar panels (which are pretty heavy) up the roof, you will also need to pull cables, fix mounts, worry about the alignment and be moving back and forth all the time.

To make things worse, there could be strong winds blowing across your roof. This may cause you to lose balance, especially when you’re carrying those heavy solar panels.

Always wear a safety harness to prevent falls.

3. Handling batteries

If your full-scale solar panel array is not grid-tied, you’ll almost always require many batteries to store electricity. Batteries are pretty safe. But if their terminals are shorted, batteries will produce tremendous amounts of heat causing fire or even explosion. You may get burnt.

Even when they’re connected correctly, you may also see some sparks as you connect jumper leads to battery terminals. (Do not be alarmed.) This is because there are so many batteries connected together and you are dealing with pretty high current.

Always wear an insulating glove and be very sure of what you intend to do before making those connections.

Please don’t get the idea I’m discouraging you from installing your own solar panels. What I’m trying to say here is safety comes first. Building solar panels are fun and you can make them real fast.

But when it comes to roof installation and connecting inverters to the grid, you must be sure you know what you are doing.

Otherwise it is wise to just part with a little money and get professionals to do it. They are fast and will probably do a better job than you. (At least for now..)

Continue Reading:

1. Building A DIY Solar Panel – My Personal Experience
2. How To Build A Solar Panel Charge Controller
3. Homemade Solar Panels — Common Mistakes to Take Note Of When Building And Installing Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

Home Solar Power Systems

This article will paint a thirty thousand foot view of this plan and then discuss how we can implement it. Then I’ll let you in on further resources that will help you with solar energy calculations, construction and installation.

Building a home solar power system involves a few major steps:

(1) Determining the household energy requirement. This influences the number of solar cells needed to produce the required electrical energy.

Most households will not want to take their homes completely off-grid. After calculations, the majority of families seem to prefer their solar panels to bear roughly 75% of their total energy consumption.

Why do they not want their house to be totally off-grid and be 100% powered by green, renewable energy? Because there will be periods when the light intensity is insufficient. It’s during these times when we’ll need to tap into the grid again.

(2) Constructing the solar panel. The photovoltaic cells are responsible for converting solar energy into electrical energy. It is also a major cost driver. Therefore the solar panel is the most important piece of the puzzle.

If you’re on a budget, you’re able to construct a solar panel by joining broken solar cells together. If you have money to burn, buying ready-made, commercial solar panels can also be an option. These come with long warranty periods (like 25 years and beyond) and are framed in high quality aluminum.

(3) The inverter. This component converts direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) that’s usable by your household appliances. After that, this is channeled to the power distribution box via a synchronizer so that electricity from the grid and electricity from the solar panels can be combined before each appliance in your home uses them.

(4) Installation. Obviously, we need to choose a location where there is as little shade as possible throughout the day. This is usually the roof. With proper guidance from more experienced hobbyists or a guidebook, you can fix the solar panels to your roof (or anywhere else) exactly like the professionals do.

To put all these together, you’ll need a proven plan that tells you exactly what to do — from the broad structure down to the last bolt and nut.

Continue Reading:

1. How To Build A Personal DIY Solar Power System With Less Than $99
2. Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels – Electricity Conversion From Sunlight
3. Homemade Solar Panels

1. Panel certification. This is a pre-requisite for federal and state rebates in the US. There are specific sets of standards that manufacturers must meet. These are some of the most widely used standards:

· IEC 61215 (for crystalline silicon)
· IEC 61646 (for thin films)
· IEC 61730 (safety, for all module types)
· UL 1703 (safety)
· CE mark (for EU regulations)

2. Flash Report. A flash test measures the power output in response to a short burst of xenon light source. The flash lasts for 1 to 30 milliseconds at a light intensity of 1 watt per Meter Square. The spectrum of the light source closely resembles the solar spectrum. The results in the flash report are then compared to the specifications of the PV module’s datasheet.

3. Series Fuse. Every solar panel has to be protected by a surge-protection device. This is to prevent unintended damage due to high currents leaking from neighboring panels.

Such condition (called backfeeding) occurs frequently whenever one series string of panels experience shading or has a damaged circuit. Series fuses are often located in the combiner box or in the grid-connected inverters.

4. Maximum Power Voltage. This is the voltage (V) when the output power is at its maximum. It is one of the important figures that must be considered when choosing a particular inverter or controller.

5. Maximum Power Current. This is the current (A) when the output power is at its maximum. This figure is usually needed in calculations for PV array disconnect labeling as required by National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 690.53.

Voltage Measurement

6. Open-Circuit Voltage. This is the maximum open-circuit voltage of your PV panel when it is exposed to sunlight. Note that no load should be connected while the measurement is done. Since the output voltage increases with lower ambient temperature, the open-circuit voltage is measured at the historic low temperature. This will determine the highest possible voltage output.

This rating is important for making sure your components (panels, wiring, inverters, charge controllers, electronics, etc.) are designed to take the maximum possible voltage.

7. Short-Circuit Current. This is the maximum current produced by your solar panel when short-circuited. It is important to ensure that fuses and breakers are rated to handle high current surge during such events. Thus this measurement must be done.

More important facts and properties of your solar panel can be found at the following links:

(i) Important Facts And Properties of A Solar (PV) Panel You Must Know About (Part 1 of 3)
(ii) Important Facts And Properties of A Solar (PV) Panel You Must Know About (Part 2 of 3)

Continue Reading:

1. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 3
2. How To Build A Sun Tracking Mechanism to Increase Your Solar Panel Efficiency by 40%
3. Important Facts And Properties of A Solar (PV) Panel You Must Know About (Part 1 of 3)

How To Build Solar Panel

In this final part of the “How To Build Solar Panel” series, we’ll impart the finishing touches that make your solar panel project a winner. You’ll discover how to push your solar panel system up one notch so you’ll have a world-class DIY solar panel.

Here, I’m assuming that resources like money, time and skills are not lacking. What we’re trying to push for is a solar panel that will make you proud.

The Solar Panel Frame

The best material to use for the solar panel frame is aluminum. This is a material that will not rust easily and it’s able to carry away additional heat that may be trapped inside the solar panel. This is particularly important since heat can diminish the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells.

Diodes

The diodes you should be using are the Schottky types. These diodes have a much lower forward voltage drop so less power is wasted. And when the temperature gets higher the forward voltage drops further.

Solar Panel Cover

If budget allows and there is no hail at your area, the best cover that your solar panel can have is made of non-reflective glass. Solar panels covered with non-reflective glass can enjoy significantly higher efficiency because greater proportions of sunlight reach the solar cells.

Battery

If you intend to power outdoor equipment like sprinklers and gate openers, your battery will need to be sheltered from the rain and dew. Unfortunately it may be impractical to house these indoors as we’ll then need very long wires that may also be a safety hazard if it’s left lying around.

You can put the battery (or batteries) into a waterproofed electronics housing and seal up the opening (for the wires). In this way rain or dew will not cause short circuit to the battery.

By implementing all of the above tips to your solar panel project, you can surely make for yourself a world-class DIY solar panel project.

Continue Reading:

1. About
2. How To Build Solar Panel (Part 1 of 3)
3. How To Build Solar Panel (Part 2 of 3)

But are their claims credible? And if it is really possible to build your own solar panels at home, what are the skills, tools and materials needed?

This article goes further to find out whether it is really true that you can build your own home solar panel system for only a few hundred dollars.

Making Your Own Solar Panels

There are many solar panel manufacturers in the market. Some examples are Sharp, Suntech, First Solar, JA Solar, Yingli Solar, Trina Solar, Motech, Qcell, Canadian Solar, Gintech, BE Solar, et cetera. The components that they use to make commercial solar panels are can be found in the consumer market.

The main parts they use to make solar panels are solar cells, a solar panel frame, diodes, solar tabbing wires, a piece of glass (as cover) and a substrate. You can purchase these components easily on the Internet.

Therefore if you have DIY skills to put these components together, you can make your own homemade solar panel. After all, those people who work at the assembly lines producing PV panels do not possess special talent. Neither do they have extraordinary skills. All of them are trained to perform repetitive tasks that are as simple as household chores.

However, if you want to build your own solar panels at home, you’ll have to design your own circuit. Otherwise you’ll need to follow a proven blueprint. If not your solar panels may not provide your with your desired voltage and current output.

Thankfully, construction plans and electrical wiring charts are available on the Internet or bookstores. Once you choose the correct design for your house, you can simply follow its design to make your own solar power generator.

Ok…so what does it take to build a homemade PV panel?

Surprisingly, to build something as advanced as a solar panel, all you need are the following skills:

a. Soldering

You have to do a lot of soldering and do it well. Dry and cracked joints introduce unnecessary electrical resistance, which affects the performance of your PV panel.

b. Using adhesive and sealants

You have to know how to adhere the solar cells onto the substrate. On top of this, you’ll want to encapsulate you solar panel properly. Thus you have to learn how to use sealants as well. Thankfully, most people get proficient in applying silicone elastomer after only 5 minutes of practice.

c. Sawing and filing

If you are building everything from scratch, you’ll have to know how to cut aluminum angles and file its burrs away. Otherwise you can always buy ready-made aluminum manufactured specially for building DIY solar panels. The substrate and glass cover can also be cut to size before they are delivered to you.

So far so good…it seems if you are interested in making DIY solar panels, only basic skills are needed.

What about the cost?

After adding up the total solar component costs, I’d conclude that you are indeed able to make a solar panel without spending more than one hundred dollars.

For this amount, you will be able to make a wooden-framed solar panel that produces at most 60 watts of power at 18 volts. This is sufficient to charge a 12-volt battery.

However most people wouldn’t only want to charge 12-volt batteries. They want to power their entire house with solar electricity! Thus if you intend to install a (sizable) 5-kilowatt system, you’ll need about 84 pieces of homemade solar panels.

At this scale, you’ll need to spend at least $8,400 to complete your home solar power project. And you’ll have to take time to make all 84 panels over a period of time.

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait till you build all the solar panels in order to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can build your first few PV panels, and then add more when you have the time and money.

So far, this cost only involves PV panels. You’ll also be required to buy inverters and deep-cycle rechargeable batteries. Inverters are not as costly as batteries, but good ones can set you back by a few thousand dollars.

If you build a grid-tied (or intertie) solar energy system, you won’t need rechargeable batteries. For off-grid systems, you’ll require many rechargeable batteries to provide you with electricity during the night when there is no sunlight.

All in all, you’ll have to spend more than $10,000++ if you want to build a 5-kilowatt solar energy system. Thus all that talk about being able to build solar panels that can power your house for only a few hundred dollars is B.S.

With this budget, you can only build a very small solar power system that can run your workstation. But the good news (as I mentioned) is you can start small, and then add more solar panels when you have more resources.

Note: Buying budget solar cells with low efficiency only takes up more roof space. It’ll be better for you to spend a little more to buy good solar cells so each panel can provide you with much more power.

After all, can your roof really hold all 84 PV panels? …

I understand the costs involved. And I really want to build my own solar panels. How do I begin?

The best way to start is by getting some education. Even if you are building your homemade solar panels according to a blueprint, you have to understand why you are doing what you are doing.

It doesn’t make sense to follow any instructions blindly. When it comes to photovoltaic projects, incomplete understanding doesn’t help at all.

You may end up with solar panels that don’t perform to expectation. In the end, you’ll only be wasting your time, effort and money. In the worst case, you may end up damaging your solar cells.

There are many books available on the Internet, bookstores and in the library that can help you.

As you read through these materials, understand the general principles behind solar electricity generation. Then get familiar with each part of the home solar power system. If you can, learn how to do solar calculations.

With this, you’ll be able to make sense of what you are doing as you follow a blueprint. And you’ll be proud of yourself for making your own homemade solar panels that actually provides electricity for your household.

Continue Reading:

1. About
2. Homemade Solar Panels
3. Homemade Solar Panels – Should You Even Roll Up Your Sleeves To Build One?

This is the third and final part of the “Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels” series. Have you done some calculations for your future solar power system yet? If you have been doing those mini exercises, you’ll most likely find a suitable solar panel for your home by now.

The next step requires us to find an appropriate-sized battery bank, inverter and charge controller. Let’s look at each of these:

1. The Inverter

The inverter you choose has to be sized according to the demands of the alternating current (AC) side of the circuit. Therefore you will choose a specification according to the loads in your house (with a little buffer in case you increase your loads over time). Pretty straightforward.

2. The Charge Controller

You’ll at least need a basic charge controller to begin with. Until you get fussy about how advanced you want this component to be, more affordable models will do just fine. You’ll need to get a specification that fits the output current (Amps) of your solar panel arrays. If you intend to scale up your solar power generator, you’ll do better with a larger charge controller with room to accommodate more solar panels than with two smaller-sized ones.

3. The Battery Bank

The size of your battery bank depends on how you want to use your solar panels. You can size your battery banks such that it can get you through thick clouds that pass by, or you can size them so you can get through three solid days of solar eclipse and a power outage at the same time. It really depends on you. But take note that over-sizing isn’t always realistic. You have to take into consideration the space they occupy and the how much they’ll cost you.

If your home is grid-tied, provided there aren’t frequent power outages, the size of your battery bank isn’t critical. Just size it to take care of cloudy days will do. You can still maintain your lifestyle by drawing power from the grid.

When you design your battery bank, you’ll have less power loss (through wires) if the voltage is higher. If you are able to design a 48-volt system, you can conserve more power than when you use a 24-volt or 12-volt system.

Continue Reading:

1. DIY Solar Panels — Charge Controller Basics
2. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 1
3. Sizing Your Solar Energy Panels – Part 2