Do It Yourself Solar Power System

The benefits of PV solar panels are real. According to a study by the California Solar Institute, $1 in cost savings annually, contributes to $20 in increased home value. This means with the cost savings of 1500 dollars, your property value will increase by $30,000. Government and state tax credits being passed at the moment also contribute to the reduction in initial costs in solar panel systems.

One of the ways that you can get into the clean energy mix is by building your own solar power system. In order to build a do it yourself solar power system, you will need: Plywood, masonite pegboard, plexiglass, monocrystalline solar cells, tabbing wire, flux pen, blocking diode, electrical jack, and a solder.

Once you have the proper material, we can then start building the solar array.

   1. First, start out by laying the solar panels in rows of six, so you get a clear idea of the size of the solar array once it comes time to build the box.
   2. Secondly, solder the solar cells to each other while connecting the tabbing wire at the solder points on the solar cells. Be careful with the cells as they are extremely brittle. You may want to consider purchasing extra cells in case any of them break.
   3. Leave enough tabbing wire on the end so that you can connect it to the blocking diode and electrical jack.
   4. Test the solar array that you have so far, to make sure that you have the right output. For a 36 solar cell setup, you should get around 18V.
   5. Next, dab the backs of the solar cells with the flux pen. The flux pen contains a heat resistant adhesive you will attach to the pegboard.
   6. Lay the pegboard over all the solar cells. Give it about a minute and then flip the setup so that the solar cells are facing up.
   7. Cut off the excess masonite pegboard.

The next step will be to build the box. The solar panel enclosure keep the solar cells from exposure to extreme weather.

The environmental benefits are also astounding. Over the lifetime of owning a solar power system, you reduce the carbon footprint in using renewable energy equivalent to planting 1,450 trees. Solar panels are an incredibly clean source of energy which does not release carbon into the atmosphere. This means a clean future for everyone and future generations.