Solar energy panels can be used in the smallest ways to improve our lives. There will always be those inconvenient problems that can be solved by using a solar panel in a creative way.

Do you have a boat, recreational vehicle (RV) or truck that you do not use often? If you have problems starting them from time to time, a solar charger is a cheap and effective solution.

With about $30, you can get a small solar charger to plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter jack. As you lay the photovoltaic panel on your dashboard, it trickle charges your battery. When you need to start your vehicle (or boat) the next time, it won’t fail you.

The beauty about solar chargers is they won’t overcharge your batteries. Therefore you won’t need extra components like a charge controller that adds to its cost. You can even let the solar charger remain plugged in while you’re driving. As a bonus, solar chargers tend to extend the lifespan of your battery by about 50%. So for a mere $30, you can squeeze $50 out of an accumulator that costs you $100. How’s that for good investment?

More than just dollars and cents, the peace of mind you have every time you need to start your old truck or seldom-used boat is worth its weight in gold!

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about…the Sunforce 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer:

“Sunforce 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer Twin Pack is comprised of two solar battery maintainers ideal for cars, SUVs, boats, ATVs and PWC batteries. The units are completely maintenance free and easy to install. The amorphous solar panels charge in all weather conditions, even on cloudy days. The panels plugs directly into your cigarette lighter. Complete kit for each unit includes 1.8-watt solar battery maintainer, 7.5 feet wire, 12V DC plug, suction cups for easy mounting and battery clamps. Temperature range from -40 to 176 degrees F.”

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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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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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12V Solar Panel

It is easy to build a 12V solar panel if you know how. This step-by-step guide is designed to teach you if you want to build one but are clueless on how to start.

This article also illustrates the sequence to building a 12V solar panel so you’ll have the least trouble.

After reading the 5 steps, I’m confident no matter how confused you are, you’ll be able to move along to begin designing your first photovoltaic panel:

Step 1 – Source for solar cells.

There are a total of 3 ways you can get a solar (photovoltaic) cell — you can buy them, you can salvage used or broken solar cells or you can even make them.

If you intend to use your solar panels for long, I recommend you buy them. Although they’re more expensive, they yield more power and can last longer. Thus you won’t need to make another solar panel a few years down the road.

If you intend to make a solar panel just for fun, you can join pieces of used or broken solar cells to make up a complete solar panel. They won’t be the most professional looking photovoltaic panels around, but who cares, they’re just for fun!

And if you feel more adventurous, you can even make your own solar panel by heating up copper plates to form cuprous oxide, which is a form of semiconductor by itself. These homemade solar cells are inefficient at best and only produce microwatts of power per cell. But if you’re just having some fun are feeling adventurous, why not?

Step 2 – Soldering the solar cells

To form a 12V supply, we have to solder the photovoltaic cells in series so they add up to 12V collectively. While many solar cells are rated at 0.5V each, you’ll have to check its specification before buying and using them. Some may not rated at 0.5V.

With 24 solar cells connected in series, we can easily make an array of solar cells that produce 12V supply.

However voltage is only part of the equation. We also have to consider the current output of the solar cells. With the correct voltage and sufficient current, we’ll have enough power to drive the application of your choice.

Step 3 – Pasting solar cells onto a substrate

After soldering the solar cells, you can prepare to paste them onto a substrate. Many hobbyists prefer to use silicone caulk to do this. However you’ll need to employ the correct technique to paste the solar cells using silicone caulk. Otherwise the cells may crack just after a short period of use.

Step 4 – Put the array of solar cells with a protective box

After the substrate is done, you’ll have to make a box to contain the substrate. This can be made of wood, plastic or metal. Each has its unique advantages and disadvantages.

The protective box is done last. This is because you can then be flexible to alter your solar panel design if you need to add more solar cells to the setup. This will free you from some worrying.

After the box is completed, you can hold down the substrate in the protective box using blobs of silicone caulk.

Step 5 — Cover the solar panel box

Finally, you’ll have to cover the box with a transparent plastic or glass. This will keep precipitation and dew from destroying your solar cells and metallic joints. Many hobbyists choose plexiglass because it’s not as fragile as glass. The choice is entirely up to you.

After completing these 5 steps, your solar panel is ready to produce electricity for you.

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