How to build solar panels for electricity

Solar panels for electricity – northern hemisphere

If you are living in the northern hemisphere, then you need to ensure that your solar panels are turned to face south as only this will ensure that the panels receive maximum amount of sunlight. If you are living in the southern hemisphere, then the solar panels need to face north. Also, it is important that the structure of your building's roof must be strong enough to hold the solar panels for electricity. If the structure is not strong enough, then be sure to attach the panels to poles that need to be installed where the panels will receive plenty of sunlight.

Handyman skills and essential tools

It only makes sense to learn how to build solar panels for electricity if you have normal handyman skills and the tools to complete the task. First of all, you need to gather together all the required parts and tools. You will certainly need tools such as a saw, plywood, soldering iron gun, paint brush, Rosin flux pen, wire cutters, screwdriver, caulking gun, volt meter and Plexiglas cutter drill. For parts, you will need to obtain plywood sheeting, Plexiglas, tin wire, solder, silicone caulk, UV ray protective varnish and solar cells.

Solar cells

Be sure to purchase about eighty solar cells which will be sufficient to produce about one hundred watts of power. Also, check how much power is required from each of the different solar panels that you intend on building. You should also opt for rectangular shaped solar panels though you can also pick any other type of shape for the panels.

Next, take the plywood and cut it in a proper shape and then with your paintbrush, apply some UV ray protective varnish. This is the first step that you must be learned when learning how to build solar panels for electricity. Allow some time for the varnish to completely dry out. During this time, you can start working on the solar cells. Working on the solar cells is another important aspect to learning how to build solar panels for electricity.

Be sure to make use of a Rosin flux pen with which you can apply the flux to bus strips on each of the solar cells. This is one more important step that you need to master when understanding more about how to build solar panels for electricity. Once this step has been completed, you may then turn your attention to soldering your tab ribbons to the solar cells in the proper manner.

The next stage in learning how to build solar panels for electricity involves application of silicon which must be affixed to the plywood panel. Be sure that the silicon is affixed in a completely secure manner. After that, the next step in learning how to build solar panels for electricity involves drilling of a pair of holes in the plywood. Through these holes you can feed the required wires and then you can seal the gaps around the hole with the help of some silicon.

Be sure that you understand that when learning how to build solar panels for electricity that you will also need to inspect each square inch of the panel to ensure that there are no gaps. Gaps are dangerous as they will let in moisture which will spoil the solar panels. Finally, to complete the lesson on learning how to build solar panels for electricity, you need to drill a small sized hole into the bottom of your solar panel but do this at a distance from the wiring. This hole lets air into the panel and keeps moisture away.