| If you want to generate renewable power for your | | | | Protector,Flexiglass & Silicone Sealant |
| home Solar power is most likely to be your best option. | | | | - Testing: Voltmeter - to test the DC output from your |
| Professionally installed systems may be effective but | | | | cells. |
| will cost upwards of $2000 for even modest systems. | | | | Step 3. Assemble your solar Panela. Connect Solar |
| Industrious homeowners can save thousands of dollars | | | | Cells: You will now need to connect your cells in series |
| by building their own solar panels & systems using | | | | via the tabs on the back of the cells using the tabbing |
| parts sourced cheaply. Read on to find out more. | | | | wire and soldering iron.b. Integration: Attach cells to |
| Here is an overview in 5 steps of what you need to | | | | plywood backing via silicone sealant. Then attach |
| accomplish: | | | | flexiglass sheet to plywood backing sheet with framing |
| Step 1. Understand Your Solar Power System | | | | wood. Also apply silcone sealant to gap. The aim is to |
| Your solar panels are a key part of the system but | | | | prevent water entering the system. |
| you will need to understand how they will deliver | | | | Step 4. Connect your Solar Panel to a Battery |
| electricity to your household appliances. Here are the | | | | System |
| key components: | | | | You will have a 2 output wires from your panel: |
| - Solar Panel: Consisting of solar cells converts sunlight | | | | positive(+) & Negative(-). These will need to be |
| into direct current (DC). | | | | wired to your battery via the charge controller. |
| - Charge controller: Connects solar panel to a 12V | | | | Step 5. Power Your Household appliances |
| battery to store generated energy. | | | | Your household appliances take alternating current. |
| - Battery: Stores energy generated from Solar Panel. | | | | The energy stored in the battery needs to be |
| - Inverter: Converts DC battery output to AC | | | | converted from DC to AC when connecting your |
| (alternating current) to power your appliances. | | | | appliances. This is achieved via an inverter. A medium |
| - Household Loads: Powered appliances such as TV, | | | | sized homemade system with 1KW output should be |
| Lights, Toaster etc. | | | | able to power your lights, TV, DVD Player & |
| Step 2. Obtain the parts to build your solar panel | | | | Computer. Your system is scalable so if you wish to |
| Next you need to obtain the tools and components | | | | power more appliances you can add more solar |
| required to build your panel - you may already own | | | | panels to increase the power output. |
| some of these. | | | | Be confident in your abilities! Anyone with average DIY |
| - Solar Cells: You can buy damaged/intact solar cells | | | | skills can put a solar power system together with a |
| from Ebay very cheaply and repair them if necessary. | | | | little work and the right information. You will gain |
| - Wiring: You will need tabbing wire, a flux pen & | | | | satisfaction in your achievement as well as cutting |
| soldering iron. | | | | your electricity bill. |
| - Support: Plywood backing sheet,framing wood,UV | | | | |