To build your own DIY solar panels, the first step is to glue and mount the solar cells on a strong backing board and wiring them. A thick piece of plywood can serve as the backing board. The wiring diagram included with the purchased cells indicates the different voltages they can produce. Decide on the voltage and thus the cells needed to produce it. Then, lay the cells in a rectangle to give you the size you need for the backing board.

After the backing board is sized correctly and cut, the solar cells can be mounted on it. They are attached with a silicone caulk. Apply caulk to the middle of the back of each cell, then lay out all the cells in the layout you decided on and glue each cell in place. The next step is to wire the cells together to form a panel itself. If you have bought pretabbed cells you’ll need to solder the tabs together. Otherwise, you will have to solder on tabs before you attach the cells. If you plan on using a charge controller you will not need a diode, which prevents the current from flowing back into the panel from the batteries, when there is no sunlight. But, if you plan to attach the cells to the battery, you may want to solder on a diode. Once this process is completed, you need to enclose the panels in a weatherproof structure.

Plexiglass or Lexan material can be used for the transparent top which allows sunlight to strike the cells. A liberal amount of caulking will seal the enclosure. Your unit is complete and is ready to be placed on the roof or the ground location you have decided on. The enclosure may be built from different materials. The easiest material to employ is wood and the simple system described here will not need anything different. The enclosure dimensions will depend on the number of panels you intend to employ. The transparent top will have to be cut accordingly. Inside the enclosure the cells will be attached to a piece of wood or material. The wood cut to make the enclosure will need to be screwed together. Definitely, a hole must be drilled for the wires to exit the box from the bottom of the enclosure. The wooden panel with the attached solar cells will be glued into the container. The transparent top will have to be put down on top of the container~The transparent top will have to be put down on top of the container}. A connector can be soldered to the end of the wires depending on what the panel will be attached to. The panel can be tested by hooking up a voltmeter on the panel in direct sunlight. Your experiment with solar electricity can then begin and show you how to save money with home solar panels you build yourself. Learning how to build your own home solar power systems isn’t really a difficult task. Try it today~Try it now}!

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