DIY Solar Panels World » Hobbyists

“Who Else Wants to Build DIY Solar Panels?”

admin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:00:24 +0000

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:

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How To Make A Solar Ambient Light

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:59:39 +0000

You can make an environmentally friendly solar ambient light using a solar panel and a battery pack.

These are what you need:

1. Led lights
2. Battery Pack
3. 12-volt solar panel
4. Basic charge controller

You can create different types of ambient lighting effects simply by using different colors, light intensity and different surfaces for reflecting light. As ambient light always depends on reflected or diffused light, your choice of material is important.

Some ambient lights are placed in the garden while most of them are installed at living spaces inside the house.

Wherever they are installed, its chief purpose is to create a warm, cozy feeling that makes you feel comfortable at home.

Many types of lamps can be used to create ambience. You can use tungsten bulbs, halogen bulbs, energy-saving bulbs or LED lamps. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. However for solar lighting, it’ll be better for us to use LED bulbs.

LED lamps consume very little energy and last longer than any other bulbs. Therefore they are ideal for solar applications. It is not surprising to find LEDs operating beyond tens of thousands of hours when used at its rated current.

There are also many different colors you can choose from. Unlike tungsten bulbs or even energy-saving bulbs, LED lamps can produce a particular frequency (color) in the solar spectrum or simply illuminate white light.

On top of this, LEDs do not flicker like fluorescent lights and are impervious to heat, cold, shock or vibration. LEDs do not have breakable glass. Therefore they are child-friendly. Also, LEDs can be waterproofed for outdoor use or in ponds and fountains. This small little component is simply amazing.

Many solar hobbyists like to use deep-cycle batteries for their DIY projects. These batteries are good for supplying power to high energy consumption appliances.

For lighting, especially with LED lamps, power does not drain off from the battery that quickly. Therefore you can use almost any kind of rechargeable battery for this project. The only thing you must make sure is its specifications.

Your solar panel, charge controller and battery ratings must match. Otherwise your battery won’t be able to charge and your ambient light will not work.

I like to build 12-volt solar power systems. Therefore the specification of my solar panels, charge controller, battery and LED circuit will be 12 volts.

The size of the solar panel, capacity of the battery and charge controller will depend on how much electricity you’ll need. If you intend to turn on your lights throughout the night, you’ll require a bigger system.

Personally, I set these lights to turn off at 12 midnight. Thus they’ll at most work for 5 to 8 hours, depending on the season of the year. Thus my PV panel and battery is relatively small.

To build this project, you must first find a suitable place to mount your PV panel. After this is done, look for a suitable location for your charge controller and rechargeable battery. Then work on your lighting elements.

If you are using LEDs, make sure they are mounted properly on suitable holders. Only after you have placed your lights in their positions can you proceed to do up the wiring.

After you have wired up different modules together, you are all set to enjoy solar ambient light that harvests energy from the sun during the day and illuminates your house at night.

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Used Solar Panels – How To Use Them To Build Cheap DIY Solar Panels

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:00:05 +0000

You can build cheap DIY solar panels by salvaging parts from used solar panels. The end result can be very fulfilling. Many hobbyists remarked that they spent only a fraction of what it would otherwise cost them had they bought a comparable solar power system.

It takes a little skill and practice to harvest components from pre-owned or broken solar panels. Yet it is not so difficult that you cannot manage it with basic DIY skills.

You have to free the photovoltaic cells from the base it’s mounted on. After you have done this, check the solar cells for loose connections, broken panels, condensation and damaged diodes. Common problems such as these can potentially cause your solar panels to break down shortly after installation.

If the joints between solar cells are broken or loose, you have to re-solder them. Malfunctioned diodes can be replaced with new ones from your local component store. And if you see broken photovoltaic cells, you will have to source for a similar component to replace it — this can be challenging. Yet you can still make do with the broken cell in case your efforts to replace the broken solar cell fail. There will be reduced power output as a result, but this is not a grave concern.

The array of solar cells is usually mounted on a piece of masonite or acrylic (substrate) board before it is placed into a new solar panel frame. You can discard this substrate after a few years if you intend to replace the solar cells with fresh, new ones.

Using pre-owned solar panels to build DIY solar panels has its pros and cons. The most obvious advantage is the price. Used solar panels can be very cheap and some kind contractors may even give them to you without asking for a single cent. You are also less worried about breaking expensive photovoltaic panels while building your project.

On the other hand, a used solar panel’s lifespan may be significantly shorter. Their power output will also be a little lower compared to when it was new. A loose connection or a fault may hide itself somewhere that escapes your attention. As you build your DIY solar panel, trouble may spring up from these areas. However this can be managed if you’re careful in checking for potential failures.

Overall, harvesting parts from a used solar panels proof to be the best money saving method to build DIY solar panels. The only downside is the additional effort you have to put in. Yet as DIY hobbyists, we tend to take joy in such labor.

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Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels – Electricity Conversion From Sunlight

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:56 +0000

With solar panels, electricity is produced when a phenomenon known as photovoltaic effect takes place. This effect causes a voltage (potential difference) to manifest when electromagnetic radiation falls on the surface of a semiconductor. In the case of solar panels, the radiation happens to be visible sunlight.

Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels Electricity

As you may have realized by now, the (semiconductor) material used is largely responsible for the efficiency of energy conversion — from sunlight to electricity. As scientists discover better semiconductors and better production techniques, photovoltaic cells become cheaper to produce. And as the demand for solar panels increase, economies of scale drives the price of solar cells to the value we know today.

Recently, many hobbyists are getting interested in building for themselves homemade solar panels. This further reduces the cost of introducing a solar power generator into their house. In fact, most of them are able to gather materials from used and broken solar panels to construct fully working (restored) panels at a tenth of the original cost.

However, before you commit to a do-it-yourself solar panel project, you need to consider what you’ll be using it for. Beginners tend to build smaller panels to power their garage lights or garden sprinklers. More experienced enthusiasts often challenge themselves to generate all their household energy needs with several pieces of homemade solar panels installed on rooftops.

If your aspiration is to build a grid-tied or off-grid system for your home, you’ll need to determine the size of your solar energy system needed. Then you’ll know the type and quantity of batteries to buy and what inverters to use. You’ll also need to cater sufficient space in your home to house these electrical items safely.

As many of the DIY solar panels are built from used solar generators, their efficiency may not be as good as off-the-shelf panels fitted with new photovoltaic cells. Therefore it is important to keep the efficiency as high as possible.

This can be achieved by keeping the solar panels as cool as possible. Because efficiency drops as the temperature of photovoltaic cell rises. If your solar panels are installed on the rooftop, you need to ensure sufficient gap between the roof and panels so cool air can pass through to bring away excess heat from the solar panels.

Another way to ensure maximum electricity production is to locate your solar panels at a place with the most sunshine throughout the year. This means the panels should be tilted toward the south (if you’re living in the northern hemisphere) and there should be as little shading as possible.

If your location allows you to generate sufficient energy for your household needs, you’re in luck. With your own set of do-it-yourself solar panels, electricity cost will no longer be a concern as long as the sun is shining for you. You’ll also enjoy shorter payback periods than similar commercial models because DIY solar panels are cheaper.

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Solar Panel Kits – 3 Compelling Reasons To Use Them

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:59:35 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Solar panel kits are becoming more and more popular with DIY hobbyists in the past few years. This is perhaps due to increasing energy costs and a heightened awareness to preserve the environment for our posterity. With these kits, even an amateur can easily set up a photovoltaic panel at his home to power small electrical appliances.

While these panels will not supply the energy needs of your entire household, it certainly helps reduce your energy bills. There are 3 compelling reasons why you should be using solar panel kits:

1. Using Renewable Energy Preserves Our Environment

The use of fossil fuel causes tons of pollutants to be released into the atmosphere every day. Young children and elderly people are more susceptible than others. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease may also suffer more when the air is polluted.

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution and the development of the internal combustion engine, people have been breathing in carbon particles and other harmful gases everyday. But our environment can be made cleaner in our generation if more of us use renewable energy in our daily lives.

2. They Help Cut Your Energy Bills

Besides helping the environment, solar energy can supplement your household energy needs. This helps reduce your electricity bills. With enough solar panels running for you, the savings can be substantial – you may even cut your bills in half. For example, estimates show that with renewable energy sources, the average family in New Hampshire can save up to $171 in utility bills.

3. Energy Can Be Available Anywhere

It is expensive and resource draining to run power cables to remote places. Whether you are in the middle of a desert or on an abandoned island, you can still produce electricity for yourself as long as the sun shines. With enough solar panels and with the help of an energy bank, your appliances can work anytime of the day, when you require them.

There is also no limit to the applications your solar energy kit can power — water heaters, satellites, outdoor lights, gate openers, et cetera. The only limitation lies in our willingness to use them.

In the United States, government tax breaks are given to encourage people to turn to renewable energy to supplement their energy needs. Many corporations are also relying less on fossil fuel as they realize the harmful consequence of burning these toxic-releasing substances. Building solar panels from solar panel kits is one good way you can personally take environmental and energy concerns into your own hands.

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DIY Solar Panels — 3 Essential Skills Needed

admin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:59:59 +0000

Many hobbyists claim that it is easy to build DIY solar panels. However some beg to differ. These folks find it difficult to build something from scratch and often get stucked somewhere in the middle of their projects. I have made some observations and given thought to this. And I believe I have found the main reason why people find it hard to build a solar panel – they lack basic DIY skills.

Trying to build a photovoltaic panel without basic skills is akin to a man who tries to be a painter without knowing the basic techniques of handling a brush…or toddler trying to cycle without developing a sense of balance. It is bound to be difficult — at least initially.

There are 3 essential skills necessary to build your own DIY solar panels. They are (1) handling of tools, (2) soldering & (3) a practical knowledge of electrical circuits.

Knowing how to handle materials is important. Whether you build solar panels using wood or metal, you have to understand how to manipulate the materials to shape them into the design you want.

This implies you have to know how to handle simple hand (or power) tools. Then you can cut the material or bend them. You’ll also need to finish (polish) the surface and edges so the burrs and jagged edges can be removed.

Inside solar panels are row after rows of electrical connections that have to be made by soldering. Therefore you also need to learn how to use a soldering iron to bond metallic joints. Bad solder joints can cause unnecessary resistance in the electrical circuit, lowering the effectiveness of your energy production. Fortunately this is a skill that can be acquired easily – often within 15 minutes or less.

Having a good working knowledge of how electronics work can be helpful. You do not necesssarily need to design your solar panel from scratch, but you will need to know how to implement the circuit design recorded on paper. It will also be useful to know some elementary electronics formula so you can size your solar panel system. Again, this knowledge is easily acquired if you take some time to read up.

Basic formulae that are needed for building electronic circuits can be easily found on the Internet or in your local library. Moreover there are also many books on homemade solar panels in bookstores that can help you with these basics.

Equiped with the above DIY skills, you can be assured that building DIY solar panels can become a rewarding hobby.

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Insider Solar Power Generator Review: 3 Most Common Mistakes Hobbyists Make on Their First DIY Solar Panel Project

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:19:43 +0000

A Small Solar Power Generator

If you’re thinking of making your own solar power generator, you may have heard how easy it is to throw some photovoltaic components together and start generating energy from the sun. Isn’t it?

Yet if you’re building a solar powered generator for the first time, I can almost guarantee you’ll make these 3 most common mistakes that most beginners (and even some experienced hobbyists) do not know about.

Mistake #1: Not Calculating the Number of Solar Cells and Battery Bank Needed

While this sounds like the obvious, a good proportion of us are guilty. Simply estimating the power and voltage generated by the cells will not do. Calculations and measurements need to be done…for everything. You’ll need to have sufficient solar cells. Battery banks also need to be large enough to store enough of these renewable energy so that it can power your appliances throughout the period of use. Everything needs to be calculated, even the wire gauge (size).

This is especially important if you intend to power your appliance throughout the night. A small initial effort (towards calculations) goes a long way to make sure your project doesn’t crash and burn mid-way.

Mistake #2: Using A Flimsy Solar Panel Casing

It is important to design your solar panel casing with proper dimensions according to your material selection. But most beginners do not have a proven design nor proper planning. As a result, many of these constructions end up being flimsy. And as you may already know, solar cells are brittle and easily broken if you do not handle them with care. If they’re mounted on a flimsy panel casing, they can be broken during installation — it is at this time when most handling (and knockings) occur.

Mistake #3: Not Vapor-Proofing Your Solar Panels

Most homemade solar panel projects break down due to corrosion and rust at metallic joints. This is especially apparent if you’re living by the sea or in a humid area. Reason: vapor seeps through many types of sealant through time and they stay in the interior of the solar panel. So it is important to use the correct type of sealant so vapor cannot seep through.

While there are many other pitfalls you’ll probably encounter while building your first solar power generation project, the above three are the most common among hobbyists.

Fortunately, many mistakes such as these can be avoided if you have an experienced hobbyist guiding you. A good alternative is a reliable, step-by-step construction guide. This can also help you avert mistakes that can potentially bring your solar power generator project to a grinding halt.

PS. As many “advanced” hobbyists have commented, they’re still referencing these manuals even after they’ve built a few successful projects over the years.

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