| If you are planning to build your own DIY solar power | | | | The soldering is done by connecting the negative tabs |
| system for your home, remember, the system has to | | | | from top to the positive tabs from bottom of another |
| be able to generate at least 16 to 18 volts of electricity. | | | | cell on the side. This way the cells are connected in |
| On a bright sunny day, a typical Photovoltaic (PV) | | | | series and their combined voltage is produced. |
| panel may produce up to 60 watts of power. The | | | | During night time or cloudy weather, the solar panel will |
| solar panel will have 36 pieces of individual PV cells. | | | | not generate any electric current. It fact, it will act like a |
| These solar cells are paper thin and very brittle, so | | | | load and start to discharge the battery instead. To |
| they need to be protected in a shallow board box. The | | | | avoid the battery bank from being fully discharged, a |
| box works as a container for the solar cells and | | | | blocking diode of around 3 amp is needed to stop |
| protecting them from rain, snow and wind. In order for | | | | reverse flow of power. In some cases, the same |
| the PV cells to be exposed to maximum sun light, the | | | | feature can be achieved with the charge controller. |
| box is to be covered with a piece of UV proof | | | | The copper wires from the solar panel have to be |
| plexiglass. Alternatively, a piece of Lexan plastic can | | | | passed through the charge controller before it is |
| also be used which is less brittle compared to | | | | connected to the battery. The battery for a home |
| plexiglass hence adding more protection. | | | | solar power system has to be the "deep cycle" type. |
| Before installing the solar cells in the box, all the cells | | | | Deep cycle batteries are usually used on boats. They |
| have to be soldered together in series. Because the | | | | are more durable and can be discharged to a lower |
| PV cells are very delicate, a soldering iron with low | | | | level. |
| wattage and fine soldering wire have to be used. | | | | |