It's not that hard to make a small solar panel. Commercially constructed solar panels are usually built with high quality materials. These materials are costly for the average consumer. We can use this to our advantage to save lots of money!
You will need:
Plywood Wood Solar cells Wires Silicon sealant Plexiglas sheet
We will be constructing a small wooden box for the frame. We can use plywood for the back of the box and just about any type wood for the frame of the box will work fine. We will then need to seal the joints with silicon sealant. We'll also need to seal the wood with an exterior sealant to prevent the wood from rotting. Remember, it will have to withstand the elements 24/7.
On the front of the wooden box we will need a piece of plexiglas. Make sure it's UV-proof so it stays as clear as possible and doesn't fade. Using plexiglas also ensures it won't break or crack. You could use a sheet of glass instead of plexiglas if you want, but it might not be as durable.
We will be using this Plexiglas to keep the solar cells protected from the elements. The size and shape of the box will determine the number of solar cells we can use. The larger solar panel we build, the more cells we can put in it. The more cells we have, the more electricity we produce!
The solar cells that we are using for our solar panel are the same solar cells that are used in professional solar panels, but we're going to save money by connecting them together ourselves. It's really not that hard!
For more detailed directions, go to http://www.squidoo.com/solarcabin for step-by-step pictures and a video guide on how to make a small solar panel.
For more detailed directions, go to http://www.squidoo.com/solarcabin for step-by-step pictures and a video guide on how to make a small solar panel.
