Build Your Own Solar Panel - The Truth Behind Saving Cash With Residential Photo Voltaic Cells

With the surge in energy prices and the weakening economy, consumers are wisely looking to alternative energy as a solution. Solutions like solar and wind power have now become hot topics budget minded households. But with prices from the lows of $6,200 to the highs of over $30,000, a commercial solar solution is too impractical for a mere mortals budget. That is why many are turning looking to build their own solar panel.

Imagine the thrill of a $0 energy bill.

Or... How about selling your "surplus" energy back to the utility company for income?

This is not myth. This is not fantasy.

Real people are building and profiting from their own solar panels right now. They have panels on their roofs that are bringing in enough energy to run normal appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and more. In fact some people are going so far as to switch appliances to take advantage of their extra energy. Check out what one solar user named Laura Peterson said "We actually just got a new washer and dryer, and we put in an electric dryer, instead of a gas one, because we figured we might as well use the electricity that we're generating."

Imagine the thrill of having "too much" energy...

The Truth About Most DIY Solar Panels

The truth is that you can build your own DIY solar panel but the majority of the plans you will find out there are for 3rd year electronic engineering students who are taking the time to fuse hundreds of broken and re-used solar cell pieces together to come out with a whopping 1/2 volt supply of energy!

In case you are not keen on electrical engineering, that is not a lot. In fact many of these projects barely produce enough power to light an LED.

Needless to say this is not the amount of power that will get a normal household off of the grid and producing their own usable energy.

I bring this up to say that if you believe that you can create a DIY photo voltaic (which simply means generating electricity from light) solar panel by surfing the forums, you will probably be rudely disappointed.

The best solution is to go for a product that is geared towards normal people (not engineering students).

Solar Panel Kits And Plans

There are a few solar panel kits on the markets for just over $1,200 dollars. The good side of getting one of these kits is that they have most all of the components you will need for the solar panel itself. However it should be noted that they do not include components such as the inverter or hi "amp hour" battery.

The Power Inverter - is a critical component that changes the DC voltage that solar panels produce into usable AC power that normal household appliances run off of. Without this component the power coming off of the pane is practically useless. These inverters are quite expensive, on the order of $500-$750 new.

The Battery - Another critical component is the battery bank. This is essential because your solar cells may well produce more power than you need during the day (and of course none at night). The batteries store that power for future use so that it is not wasted. High amp hour batteries can store this power 80 - 110 hours of power usage, which should get you through some cloudy days and dark nights. These run in the $150-$200 range for new batteries.

Those are the essential components for a kit. And of course the cost mentioned for the panels is "per panel" so multiply that by the number of panels you need.

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How to Build Homemade Solar Panels - 5 Steps to Save!

Prices of energy from traditional sources are not getting any cheaper and so many people are now looking into powering their homes using renewable energy such as solar power. You may be thinking that this sounds good in practise but don't want to wait several years to see a return on investment. Well, the good news is that if you can learn how to build homemade solar panels then you can start to make huge savings with only a small initial investment of a few hundred dollars.

In this article we are going to outline 5 main steps you can follow to learn how to build homemade solar panels and with a little work on your part you can be enjoying free solar power for years to come:

1. Buy a guide - Better still, get your hands on a free one. Building solar panels is not rocket science but you will definitely benefit from having a pictorial book to guide you each step of the way. There are many eBooks available on the Internet that will enable even the most hopeless at DIY to build their own solar power plant on a budget.

2. Build your panels - Solar panels are made up of solar cells connected together in series to form the panel array. The easiest but most pricey option for this is to simply buy premade solar panels. The cheaper option would be to build your own from scratch using cheap solar cells purchased from eBay. All you would need beside the solar cells is a sheet of plywood, some glass, wire, silicone, screws and some basic DIY skills.

3. Place your panels - You want to place your panels to receive optimum amounts of daily sunshine. The roof of your house or an open space in your garden would both be effective choices.

4. Connect the panels to a battery - On lovely summer days you may find your solar panels will generate more electricity than you require on that day to run your house. Connecting them to a battery via a charge controller will enable you to store the electricity for use on more gloomy days.

5. Connect the network to your breaker panel - Your house appliance run on alternating current so you will need to pass the wires through an inverter to convert DC to AC before connecting it to your home's electricity breaker system.

These steps provide a basic overview of how to build homemade solar panels. It may seem daunting to those of us who are not electrical engineers. My advice would be to check out one of the many eBooks available and see if you can follow the more detailed step-by-step instructions.

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Solar Panels 101

Solar panels are complex modules of photo-voltaic cells. If you break down that word, 'photo-voltaic' it literally means light (photo) - electricity (voltaic). These photo-voltaic cells accumulate sun energy and turn it into electricity. Though the system may seem very complex, from the technical point of view things are not difficult at all.

Depending on the necessity of the user, the solar panels vary in size according to the number of photo-voltaic modules that they incorporate. Modules are held together by special wiring systems and they function as a field unit.

Fiberglass, metal, simple glass or even plastic are used for covering the photo-voltaic cells and creating the exterior of the overall solar panels.

There are some practical conditions to be met for the solar panels to work properly. First of all, the cells in the solar panels have to be connected with each other in order to accumulate and pass on the electric charge. Then, the solar panels have to be protected from the outward environment, since they are very sensitive. Thus, you have to take all the measures necessary for the exterior protection against hail, heavy snow and winds. Such precautions are particularly important if your solar panels are made of wafer-based silicon cells which are more brittle.

You can increase the performance and the life of the solar panels by creating some insulation cover against moisture; hence avoiding metal corrosion. This will ensure that the panels remain in good shape. Depending on the type of module structures, solar panels can be flexible if based on thin film cells, or rigid for normal modules.

You don't have to worry about the potential overheating of the cells since there are diodes integrated in the structure of the solar panels that decrease temperature automatically. Moreover, manufacturers most often include special ventilation channels in the design of the solar panels.

The most competitive solar panels use a combination of mirrors and lenses to focus solar energy on the cells, thus reducing the energy production costs. Companies are offering extensive innovations to their systems, since the demand for solar panels has seen a real boom over the last ten years.

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The Dark Side Of Home Solar Panels

You're an energy conscious person, and you are doing your best to help conserve energy. You have replaced your windows with more energy efficient ones. All your appliances are also now energy efficient. Even your computer has a good Energy Star rating. However, you want to depend less on the power company, so you look into alternative energy solutions. Before you go out and invest, here is a list of home solar panels' dark side.

Seasons & Mother Nature

'Tis the Season to be jolly! That is what the sang touts, but with solar panels, you're not dreaming of a white Christmas. If your panels get covered with a thick coating of snow, unless you have stored up some power in battery bays, you could be in for a problem. And even with clear winter days, the fact is that the sun is lower in the sky and this means less rays of light every day until spring and summer return. This leads to less power and more headaches if you are unprepared.

Another way home solar panels can be a nuisance is when Mother Nature decides to play around with you. The news report says a slight haze for the morning - well, fog blacks out the light and thus less power is created. The radio says pollution is high today, or the weatherman says it will be a cloudy day? More of the same. And if you or your neighbors have tall trees, let's hope they will not cast a shadow on your panels, or you know what will happen!

Geographic Location, Direction And Tilt

The entire planet is covered with a multitude of people. However, for those who remember their earth science classes, those nearer to the equator receive more sun, while those farther north or south get less. Can you imagine trying to survive with solar power in Alaska? If so, I hope you have a secondary plan for the thirty days of night. Overall, geographic location of the home can make a huge difference in whether or not solar panels are a true option for you, or if you should look for another alternative solution.

Now if you have a roof that faces south, you're a good candidate for solar panels. This is because the south is what receives the most direct sunlight everyday. Of course, it's the exact opposite for those living in the southern hemisphere.

However, if you have an east/west roof, your panels will not be as efficient. And speaking of the roof, a slant of forty to sixty degrees is the absolute best for capturing the sun's rays and electricity. If it is any more or any less, this too can provide a problem.

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Any Solar Panels

Solar panels are devices used for harnessing the vast reservoir of power embedded in sunlight, a non-conventional energy source.

On a bright day, it is calculated that the sun emits about one kilowatt of energy to a square meter of the Earth's surface. Only a fraction of this vast energy has been harnessed for practical use.

Solar-power generation has not been cost-effective compared to conventional energy sources. But of late, governmental and non-governmental agencies, companies, corporations, and educational institutions have been promoting research and development for finding ways to make solar power feasible.

Solar panels are photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Photo refers to light and voltaic to electricity. These arrays are available in forms such as solar hot water panels for providing domestic hot water and solar photovoltaic panels for generating electricity.

Larger solar arrays can generate power to be supplied to isolated areas where normal electricity supply is unfeasible. There has been a race for developing experimental solar-powered cars, yachts, and other vehicles. Solar panels should have as much surface area as possible pointing towards the sun.

Solar power is harnessed widely in space missions launched within the solar system. Outside of the solar system, the energy availability weakens. Solar cells in the PV panels convert light into electricity by absorbing the energy of the sun. Crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide are the best choices of materials for solar cells.

Silicon crystals in the form of standard ingots are less expensive compared to gallium arsenide. Ploycrystalline silicon gives only lower conversion efficiency, but has the added attraction of a lower cost.

The costs of PV panels range from $1 to $2 per watt, with an installed cost from $3 to $7 per watt. Solar panels would prove to be the ultimate device for capturing omnipresent power from the sun.

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Install Solar Panels in a Cost-Effective Way With Solar Panel Rebates

Nowadays, solar panel rebates have become very popular incentives for commercial and residential power users to begin using solar energy. Solar panel system generates electricity from sunlight through its cells. A rebate is an idea from a government that helps to subsidize the price of installing panels. This makes it more affordable for all groups of people whether they are rich or middle class. There are various rebates around the world, and they are different in each state and country. However, most countries now simply have a feed-in-tariff scheme which subsidizes the price of installing a solar system.

As solar rebate offers financial support to businesses, households and community groups, so they can produce solar power on their own by installing small-scale electricity systems. Solar credits are provided in the form of RECs' (Renewable Energy Certificates) for people who have installed a new system. The level of support provided by solar credits depends on the cost of RECs and the location and size of the solar panel system.

The latest solar credit scheme is now very beneficial; save thousands off a grid connected solar system. Businesses, homeowners and community groups are eligible for this rebate program. There are a number of rebates available for solar system that includes STCs (small-scale renewable energy scheme) and FIT (feed-in-tariff). In FIT scheme, the extra power that you don't use is feed into the grid. The amount paid to you per kWh for that unused electricity produced by a solar power system. Feed-in-tariff depends on the energy provider and the state.

You can literally save many dollars on grid connected and off grid solar panels if you go for one of the solar panel rebates or grants. The latest solar rebate scheme means that installing a solar system and producing solar power is a significantly viable investment. It is the government's commitment to reduce the amount of electricity in the grid. The quantity of rebate and the eligibility situations vary from state to state. Even within a same country, there may be variations. In the UK, many people are enjoying grants up to 2,500 pounds that can be rewarded both for solar hot water and solar panel systems. US people are getting advantage from rebates that may range from zero to above $26,000.

It's time to find your eligibility for a rebate. While some governments need you to be an inhabitant of the place for a fixed time period, some others may have ceiling on the rebate that a single house can get benefit. A few governments sometimes use property value and personal income as a scale to consider the valid rebate and sometimes, seasonable rebates are also offered to solar energy users. It is necessary to discover whether you are eligible or not for the rebates before installing solar panels. It is possible that sometimes, the rebates may be applicable only for specific panels. Get a clear idea about whether you can get benefit from rebates and tax or not.

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Saving Green With Rooftop Solar Panels

Solar panels or photovoltaic panels (PV) are one of many investments that should be considered, if you plan on saving money and generate electricity. They are called solar panels because the mount absorbs light the most effective form of source (the sun) and generate the light to electricity. While rumors of Global Warming continue to rise the concern for our green environment has also risen. This is why everyone should also pay attention to your eco-footprints. Everyone plays a role in global climate change whether it is littering, toxic hairspray sprayed in the air, cars spurring fumes. This is why everyone should give to an eco-friendly solution. With photovoltaic panels coming into action the elimination of gas, electricity and other wasteful energies are diminishing. Photovoltaic panels are an effective stepping foot into a eco-friendly environment while saving you money in the long run.

There are different ways to compose photovoltaic panels to accommodate your personal preference such as rooftop solar mounts, ground solar mounts, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and more. Every photovoltaic panel consists of a collection of solar cells, that work together generating a high amount of energy. A single photovoltaic panel can produce only a limited amount of power, that is why there are multiplephotovoltaic panels installed. The more sunlight every panel absorbs the more electricity it produces. While rumors of depleting fossil fuel continue to rise concerns for people, there will never be rumours of the sun depleting.

Rooftop solar panels are usually ideal since they convey more room in your residential or commercial area, while still receiving the most effective energy. Rooftop solar panels are the most popular type of photovoltaic panels that are built and installed to withstand the harshest weather conditions and the durability is able to last decades. With these photovoltaic panels generating your home or office you will never have to worry about a blackout or power shortage again. With the most powerful source of energy generating your environment, you will be in good hands.

Photovoltaic panels are a great investment since every panel depends and runs from the most effective source of energy. The sun will never deplete nor end, for a concern for solar panels to rise. Investing in Rooftop solar panels helps save money since the government requires to increase solar power contribution. So Federal and certain States, offer tax incentives for your solar panels, which seems as a reimburse system.

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Solar Panel Rebates

Solar panel rebates are able to help you to lower or even do away with your electricity bill. This can be achieved by taking advantage of many generous cash incentives for the installment of a solar system on your house or place of business. The government is practically handing out cash from coast to coast that will help you finally say farewell to high electric bills. Solar panel rebates can pay for over 50% of the system price tag; this is certainly one of the most significant government offers in American history!

Due to their popularity, rebate programs throughout the country are running out of funds quickly. Think it over. Federal, state and local governments would like you to go solar and they are literally doing everything they can to make the thought of powering your house or workplace using solar energy a real possibility. You won't ever be required to give the money back! When you have received your rebate check following the installation of the solar system, the money is without a doubt yours to do whatever you choose with. It's not a line of credit or a tax credit; you will actually receive a check from the state or utility company.

An additional useful incentive program is the 30 percent Federal Solar Tax Credit. This tax credit is applicable to the amount you owe in taxes. The Federal Solar Tax Credit is not a deduction from your earnings, it's even better. It is a dollar for dollar credit against whatever you are required to pay in Federal taxes, which is just about as good as cash!

Along with solar panel rebates and tax credits solar panel systems present further added benefits to your household. A solar system can easily pay for itself in as few as 3 to 5 years. It's better than any type of other household upgrade out there. It will increase your home's resale amount. And, in addition, a solar system is going to continue supplying you with revenue for numerous years to come!

The reasoning behind these incentives is actually to get people to purchase something new - something which they may not usually invest in because of the price. After a sufficient amount of people decide to buy in, however, the market grows bigger which helps to lower the free-market prices. Once the costs are lower more people theoretically are able to buy without incentives.

Indeed, the price of solar panel systems is actually decreasing, thanks to more companies entering the industry as well as a recession-induced glut of supply. In the 1st quarter of this year, solar panels cost 30% less in comparison to the same period of time in 2010, as stated by the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C.

One thing to take into account: Solar panel rebates exclusively pertain to the solar panel systems and other components. These prices make up close to 50% of the overall cost of installation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories. The other half is normally made up of soft costs, principally labor, that can certainly be tough to decrease.

An alternate strategy to make the switch to solar is actually by using solar panel leasing companies. In California a lot of people have put in solar panel systems using leasing companies that require no money in advance but charge you a fee every month for usage of the panels. For numerous clients, that monthly bill can be just about the same as what they were having to pay the utility company, as a result solar ended up being a no-brainer: They could go green without any fees up front and little if any increase in their monthly expenses. In certain occurrences, their monthly expenses went down! By a number of reports, leasing arrangements account for about 50% of the California solar market.

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Solar Panels For Your Home - The Pros And Cons

Our ability to harness the energy of the sun has been one of mankind's greatest achievements. Solar panels are our lifeline in a future of uncertain supplies and spiraling costs, but as sensible an alternative as they are it's important to consider all the pros and cons of ownership before making the decision to install them.

For example, some of the pros of owning such a system include:

Can Be Installed Almost Anywhere

The beauty of solar panels is they can be installed in a huge variety of locations, including some of the most remote places in the world. In some rural places in the UK, it is more cost-effective to have solar panels than laying high voltage wires.

The Energy Is Constantly Available

Solar energy is the most abundant natural source of energy on the planet and it never runs out. Even in winter on overcast days, the solar energy from the sun is enough to power every home across the UK.

The Electricity Is Clean And Produces No Pollution

Solar panels give off no pollution. There's no exhaust fumes, odorous emissions or nasty by-products of electricity generation, and solar panels do not have a carbon footprint. They just produce clean pollution-free energy.

They Are Quiet

Unlike most fossil fuel-based energy and some renewable sources of energy such as wind turbines, there's no noise from solar panels. They produce electricity very quietly.

You Earn And Save Money From The Day It's Installed

The launch of the Feed-In Tariff by the government means every month you will receive money in three different ways. You get money for each unit of electricity you generate, then more money for any surplus units you export back to the National Grid, and finally great savings on your utilities bills as you use the energy you generate instead of what supplied to you. And the income is tax-free and linked to keep pace with inflation.

They Need Very Little Maintenance

Apart from a check every five years by a qualified installer, solar panels are true 'fit and forget' technology and need little effort on you part to look after them during their 30+ years lifespan. In very heavy snow you may need to clear some off the panels, although the panels produce some residual heat which, along with a special coating, stops the snow from settling.

However as there are also some important considerations to take into account:

The Cons...

They Can Be A Large Up Front Expense

The biggest consideration of solar panels is their price. To receive Feed-In Tariffs you have to own the panels and that means finding several thousand pounds in one go to buy your system and have it installed.

Energy Is Only Generated During The Day

Solar panels only convert sunlight to electricity during the daylight hours and generate nothing at night. You may have to adapt to using some appliances like washing machines and dishwashers during the day, perhaps on timers if you are at work, to make maximum use of the energy available.

Many Things Can Affect The Solar Panels Efficiency

Any shade that falls on the panels could potential reduce or even block their efficiency. Soft shading, such as wires can be easily dealt with, but hard shading such as large trees or high neighbouring dormers or rooflines are much more difficult to deal with if your neighbour is intent on having them.

Prolonged Poor Weather Can Reduce Your Output Considerably

Days of winter storms can have a detrimental effect on the amount of energy the panels are able to convert. This in turn will affect how much electricity you produce and the amount of money you receive from the Feed-In Tariff scheme.

They Are Energy Intensive To Produce

While the panels themselves are non-polluting once in place, the amount of energy and the chemicals and metals used in their manufacture are not. There are also the polluting effects of the transportation used to ship them from factory to supplier.

You Have To Have The Right Angle To Your Roof

The ideal roof is south facing at a 60^o angle, although good results can also be obtained from roofs angled 90o either side - south west through to south east. North facing roofs are not suitable.

It Can Take A Long Time To Achieve Payback

The average solar panel system can take around 10 years to pay back - that is for you to earn as much income in Feed-In Tariffs as the panels cost you to have installed.

Investing in solar panels today is investing in your future tomorrow. There are very few people who cannot benefit from solar panels, but under the right circumstances and with full understanding of the pros and cons of this versatile and cost-effective environmental technology.

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How To Build Strong Solar Panel Frames

When building your own solar panel one good perk is that there is no shortage in materials or type of materials.

But there are some important factors to keep in mind when selecting your materials like:

• Material durability
• Construction methods
• Availability of the materials
• Financial costs

Your solar panel frame needs to withstand environmental threats such as precipitations,wind,extreme temperatures, ingress etc.

The frames need to be rough to protect the valuable and fragile solar cells inside, during the installation phase.

For some areas the frame needs to withstand heavy wind pressure, hail or snow loads.

There are instances where pv panels are used only occasionally for small batteries, and thus are not faced with harsh environments on a daily basis.

These types of PV panels can get away with more inexpensive materials.

Without a doubt the most important factors that affect solar panel frames are Thermal and Moisture resistances.

Thermal Resistance For Solar Panel Frames

All photovoltaic panels are subjected to extreme temperatures from freezing winters to very hot summer days. These seasonal fluctuations in temperature can lead to a warped panel frame if the proper materials are not used.

Extreme temperatures cause the materials of the solar panel frame to bend and contract,at different rates depending on the materials.

As the materials are different in a pv frame,they will contract and deform at different rates eventually separating from each other. Because of this special consideration should be given to the bonding agents and their longevity.

In the winter when temperatures are very low, bonding substances tend to crack and they separate from other materials that have different contraction rates.

In the summer the opposite is true and bonding agents soften up and decompose which leads to the degradation of the panel and lesser performance.

Moisture Resistance For Solar Panel Frames

Almost all solar panels are subjected to moisture in one way or another. Factors like melting snow, rain or fog need to be taken into consideration before building the frame.

Many materials tend to absorb moisture and warp over time, drawing moisture to the insides of the panel where the solar cells and electrical connections are placed, eventually leading to panel failures.

To counteract moisture you need to use bonding agents with a high moisture resistance and fasteners that can withstand corrosion.

The panel needs to have some degree of flexibility for its mechanical parts. They need to contract and expand in tandem,so proper mechanical connections are important.

Personally we use Silicone 2 for bonding purposes as it has a high degree of flexibility for contraction and expansion. Silicone 2 is also a great seal against moisture.

UV Resistance For Solar Panel Frames

Another factor that affects solar frames is UV degradation. Some materials tend to decompose when facing constant UV exposure and eventually lead to moisture and temperature extremes degrading the panel.

To counteract UV vulnerability we used silicon,aluminum and Plexiglas in our frames. Tough not the very best, these materials give the best bang for the buck when cost and availability are taken into consideration.

Plexiglas can also be replaced with polycarbonate or fiberglass.

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Solar Panels Available for Purchase: The Convenient Way to Save Energy

With the problem of climatic change and depleting source of energy, people are looking for other supply of energy and still have found it above our heads which is the solar energy. With its abundance, people are trying to harness this energy and use its benefit in powering their own houses.

Today, you will find a growing demand in solar panels because environmentalists and environment conscious have attempted to push green energy because it's safe and it can basically save you money. With the rising cost of energy bills, you may certainly be considering installing your very own solar power panels at your house. Now the real question is, are there for sale?

As a would-be consumer of solar energy, you will have no worries in finding solar panels for sale. You can search through the internet or check on classified ads. You can either find brand new solar power panels or the ones that are pre-owned version. But before buying your first panels, you have to first consider some factors the pros and downsides of having solar power panels at home.

New Solar Panels

If you decide in selecting a brand new solar panel, to be quite honest it can cost you a lot. It can cost around $27,000 for professionally built solar power panels along with its installation. So purchasing a brand new solar panel currently is not practical. Although it's pricey, the benefit of having brand new solar panels is that it will lessen your power bills because solar energy is abundant. An additional benefit of needing a brand new solar power panels is that its low maintenance so it will surely save you a lot of money later on.

Second-hand panels

If you can't buy brand new solar power panels you can go for second hand ones. They are created to withstand any kind of weather therefore it is not difficult to find pre-owned ones. The only difference is the size. If you try to compare a brand new solar power panel over a second hand, the brand new can worth many watts and is packed in a minuscule size which will save you more space. When you use a bigger solar power panel, it can occupy a lot of space, but it's loaded with many watts as that of a brand new.

Building from Scratch

If you want to reduce the cost, but do not want to buy second hand solar panels, then it is time for you to develop your own panel at home. It is more cost effective and still gives you the same result.

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How to Make Solar Panels - 3 Steps Found in Solar E-Books for Generating Electricity From the Sun

Solar e-books provide valuable information, instructions and guidelines on how to build a solar panel to generate electricity from the renewable resources of the Sun. Instructions provide easy-to-understand schematic drawings that allow any do-it-yourself individual the ability to construct both simple and complex solar power systems. With the continuous rise in costs of conventional fossil-fuel produced electricity, it makes sense to seek out alternative avenues to save on your utility bills without altering your lifestyle. With the availability of inexpensive photovoltaic cells, the working heart of any solar power panel, it is now possible to construct your own basic single solar panel, whole house system or anything in between.

While it may seem challenging to figure out the complexities of converting energy from the sun into usable electrical power, pre-manufactured photovoltaic solar cells simplify the entire process. Without any movable parts, the solar cell automatically converts the Sun's energy into valuable electricity. The only other two main components necessary to collect that energy is to fabricate a container to house the solar cell and wiring to move that electricity to the lighting or appliance you want to run. The container, or module, typically has a sheet of glass on the working side, or sun-side of the unit, which allows sunlight to pass through to the protected wafers of the semiconductor of the solar cell. By using the following simple steps, you can reduce or eliminate your monthly utility bills.

Invest Yourself in the Process - Key to the process is gaining a thorough understanding of how this simple system works, along with the materials needed to assemble a solar panel. Numerous Do-It-Yourself websites offer instructional steps and schematics, laying out all necessary information for building, installing and maintaining a solar power generating system. Included in these guidelines are different efficient ways to construct your system, both with or without using a battery. Building one or more DIY solar panels immediately provides you with electricity to begin lowering your monthly utility costs.

Solar Panel Construction - Most of the materials needed to assemble your first solar panel module can be found locally at your home improvement center. High-quality photovoltaic semiconductor solar cells are available directly from the manufacturer, or can be bought on the Internet at greatly reduced reasonable prices at online auctions, such as eBay. Most do-it-yourself individuals can assemble, install and begin using a single panel in just a few hours. Most instructions include how to construct the panel to be used in a fixed location, or offer portability to be used on camping trips or in remote locations.

Going Totally "Green" - The ultimate design for those interested in living totally "green" is to fabricate a whole house solar power panel system capable of generating enough energy to supply all the electrical needs of your home, both day and night. Though this sounds complicated, a whole house system is nothing more than a group of simple single solar panel units connected together. By connecting a group of modules, or individual solar panels, in a series, you can produce an additive voltage. The connected cells, in a parallel yield a much higher electrical current. One of the luxuries of creating your own solar power system is the ability to build your whole house system a little at a time, as you can afford it. Schematic drawings will show you how to include a battery system large enough to handle and store this excess energy to be used after sunset. Additionally, a great money-saving solar panel design is to feed any generated electricity, not immediately required, directly to the local utility grid, using inverters. Known as a grid-connected photovoltaic solar power system, you can simply use the grid to store your power until it is required, such as after sunset. Building a large system can also provide you with a monthly income, by producing electricity not needed to support the energy requirements of your home.

Times being what they are, rising fuel costs create the need to become invested in looking for alternative ways to generate electricity inexpensively. Being able to harness free energy from the renewable resource of the Sun not only helps manage your monthly utility costs, but also helps save the planet. A well-built do-it-yourself solar power-generating system can last for decades, with no additional costs once the unit has been manufactured and installed.

Knowledge of exactly how to build these different highly efficient systems can be found by downloading this solar e-book on DIY Solar Power Panels. Additionally, you should seek out information on how to construct a solar hot water system to support the heated-water laundry and bathing needs of your family. Also, generating electricity using windmills is a creative and inexpensive way to use the natural resources surrounding your home every day.

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How to Build Solar Panels: Types of Solar Panels

Solar panels are used to produce renewable energy from the sun, and are a clean and environmentally sound means of collecting energy. Solar energy is becoming a more popular source of energy as people start to worry about energy costs and the environment. Homeowners can reduce their investment by learning how to make solar panels themselves.

Solar panels produce energy by emitting photons. Solar cells are placed in solar panels in a grid pattern to produce energy. Negative and positive charges are produced by millions of atoms. Silicon and different atoms are used to produce the charged stimuli. There are three types of silicon: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon which are all used in panels. Silicon does not produce energy until it comes in contact with the photon particles produced by the sun. When this happens it produces energy. The voltage and current in the solar cell determines the capacity or amount of power the cell produces.

The flat plate collector and the concentrating collector are the two types of solar panels. The flat plate collectors are flat, and are primarily used in residential environments. These collectors are typically seen on top of residential rooftops. They have a transparent glass cover that protects the solar cells from damage and aids in reflection of sunlight onto the cells. The primary use of flat plate collectors are to heat water, space heating, and lighting in residential homes. Flat plate collectors are what can be made for a fraction of the cost at home, and we will teach you how to make solar panels. Concentrating collectors are capable of producing larger quantities of electricity as compared to flat plate collectors. The energy produced by these panels are used in both commercial and industrial applications such as air conditioning, central power generation, and heating. Concentrating collector panels have curved mirrors with a front or back covering of silver or aluminum or some type of reflective material. Concentrating collectors can generate power more efficiently and economically than flat plate collectors. The downside is that they are more expensive, and usually require more maintenance.

The biggest problem with solar panels is how little electricity they produce compared to the size of the actual panel. A single solar cell provides enough energy to power a calculator, but if you want to power a house you'll need several hundred or thousand cells, depending on your needs. New technology being developed is helping to improve the efficiency of solar energy systems.

The future of solar panels and solar energy are very bright. Great improvements are needed before it become the leader of supplying energy. Solar panels are used to provide only a small portion of energy worldwide. As technology grows the use of solar power is destined to compete and grow to hopefully outweigh tradition power sources to where we will have a cleaner environment and protect our planet. Once people discover that you don't have to buy retail panels, it'll motivate them to make solar panels at home.

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Solar Panels Prices and Home Solar Panels Cost - Save Your Money!

Before starting with the prices, let me first remind of the positive and the negative aspects of the solar energy.

The PROS:

There are certainly numerous pros to having solar energy. The first and perhaps best thing about solar energy is that it gives off no pollution as it is clean and renewable. So it is very environment friendly. Another wonderful pro is that it saves you money on your utility bills. You definitely can't go wrong there! The panels for your home are also maintenance free and will last for years to come. And lastly, you will become less dependent on things like fossil fuel and will not have to worry about the constant increase of prices!

The CONS:

As with everything, there are cons to solar energy as well. The biggest con of solar energy is the start up costs. These panels are generally quite expensive including installation fees. It is definitely a long term investment that will more than likely take a few years to pay off. Another con is that the weather affects the effectiveness of the solar panels although there is storage devices that you can buy to get you through these times; however, the amount of solar energy will be considerably less.

It's important to consider the solar energy pros and cons before purchasing solar panels to make your home energy efficient. For those who cannot afford the start up costs, consider building solar panels. I've come across many websites that can tell you how to make your own solar panel for less than $200. It certainly would reduce the burden of the start up costs and make solar power for homes more advantageous.

Solar panels prices and cost per watt

The prices of the panels vary slightly depending on the company in which you buy the solar panel from and how many watts you need. A DuPont panel has 95 watts and will cost approximately $160.55. Now averaging that out per watt is $1.69.

For a panel with more watts, there is DM Solar. This solar panel is 140 watts. The cost will run you approximately $280.00 which equals to be about $2.00 per watt.

Bigger solar panels prices

For those who are looking for a bigger panel of around 230 watts, there are a few different brands you can purchase including REC and DM Solar. The prices range from $425.50-$662.00 which is approximately $1.85-$2.88 per watt.

Now, those prices don't seem so bad right? But when it comes to solar power for homes, you must realize that you may need more than one solar panel. Furthermore, you have to consider the costs for installation. Installation can be pretty expensive. For a complete solar panel system installation can run you about $6.00-$8.00 per watt. That's pretty crazy!

Fortunately, for those who cannot shell out that kind of money, there is a more cost efficient alternative. And that is building solar panels! You can make your own solar panel that would be 100 watts for between $100.00 and $150.00! That is only $1.00-$1.50 per watt! You could even install the panel yourself! By following this route, you will not only save thousands of dollars but you will save money on your utility bills as well!

Before purchasing these panels, consider all the prices as well as home solar panels cost and see if it works for you. If not, try making your own and installing it yourself and see for yourself how much money you can save!

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Build Your Own Solar Panel - Make Your Own Green Energy

You can build your own solar energy panel, as well as a power system that will help alleviate your power bills, or even get you off the grid completely. Now while this can be an article about how to build your own solar panel, it just wouldn't be comprehensive or detailed enough for you to make a proper panel, one that is going to put out the right voltage that you need. Instead, the first part is going to be why you need to build your own panel, and the last part is going to be about where you can find the sites.

There are many different reasons why you need to build your own solar panels. Many people think they need to buy solar panels that are already put together, but the problem with this is that these panels are expensive. One 75 watt solar panel can cost four to five hundred dollars, depending on where they are purchased. Making your own panel can cost you less than two hundred dollars.

Some feel that making their own solar panel is hard to do. This is just not true. With the right instruction and materials you can build your own solar panel not only in a short amount of time, but one that will work just as good as one that you buy already assembled. The materials are readily available online from numerous resources. The PV cells can be purchased in bulk, and these cells are just as efficient as any that are in panels already put together.

When you learn how to build your own solar panel, it will give you the satisfaction that you are doing your part to save our planet. Solar power is the most renewable resource available. It takes the energy from the sun, and turns it into clean electricity. There is no pollution created, and no real working components that would require extra energy. The sun is abundant, comes out every day, and is all over the world at one point or another. Using solar power is much better all around than using the electricity from utility companies, many of which are still using some kind of combustion source that is using up our valuable resources, as well as causing pollution.

Now that you know that you can build your own solar panel, you need to know where to find the resources to do it. There are numerous websites, both paying and free that you can find online. Just because it is a pay website, doesn't mean it is any better than some of these free sites when it comes to making solar panels. Here is the trick to finding the right one.

When you are looking to build your own solar panel, you need to find a site that offers to teach you all the aspects of making one. This means complete and easy to follow instructions from start to finish. Anyone can tell you how, but only a few will also help you find all the right materials to put together a really efficient panel. They will also give helpful tips and information, such as after measuring how large the plywood has to be for the panel and getting the wood retailer to cut a piece the right size for free.

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Making Solar Panels - Become Self-Sufficient With Your Home's Power

Making solar panels isn't hard to do. You don't need a degree in engineering; all you need is an interest in saving "green" and joining the eco-friendly movement that so many people have taken an interest in themselves. Within in days, you can see the investment pay off.

What is a solar panel? It's basically a series of linked cells that generate a current that's able to be store energy and release it as electrical energy. You can build these cells from scratch but you should check the Internet and see what the auction sites or extra stock websites have for you to choose from.

The Pros and Cons Of Making Solar Panels

When you're looking for solar energy panels, what you're going to find is the prices and quality can drastically vary from each other. The average price for a solar cell is $1.20; however, Chinese solar panel cells have been besieged by an array of quality and supply issues.

Materials Needed For Making Solar Panels

There is an array of solar panel types; however, the majority of homeowners like yourself will build your own solar panel with photovoltaic cells, crystalline units or amorphous silicon. Steer clear of panels that have been dipped in wax; these are trickier to work with and can be less efficient than other models. Keep in mind that panels and solar cells are not the only things you need to make solar energy at home. However, you can obtain these much-needed materials from the same supplier that way you can get your project off the ground.

There are several easy to obtain items you need to build your own solar cell panel. They include: blocking diodes, eva glue, flux pens, housing boxes, ribbon wire, solder, tabbing wire and waterproof encapsulators. Once you've got all the materials on hand, it'll take a few hours to construct with the tools you already have in your workshop. Of course, if you want to get the task done quicker, then you can go with a ready made solar panel.

How To Make Solar Panels At Home

You begin making the solar panels by laying out the cells in a six by six line, gluing them to backing board. Once this is done, you'll need to solder the tabbing wire in a series to link the cells to the blocking diodes. This stops any possibility of electricity going back from the storage battery in the overnight hours when the cells are inactive.

Now, set it up in a box that's well insulated on the reverse side and cover the top using a clear plastic lid that's also waterproof. You will need to add in some silicone grouting so that the entire unit is waterproofed. Finally, all you need to do is link the wiring to the storage battery. The majority of people will use a 12-volt battery unit, as it's easy to store and quite effective.

As you see, making solar panels is an easy task. You can purchase kit sets that come available with instructions. They're also videos on making the panels. These systems have been around for years but new technology and advancements have caused an explosion of solar power units to be inexpensive and operational.

No longer do you have to worry with reliability issues, as these new units can work in the most remote places in the world and even in outer space. Another big benefit to making solar energy panels is the skills learned can be applied to when you need to do maintenance on them (although this will occur sporadically).

The biggest benefit of all is the reduction that you'll see in your utility bill or the ability to still have power when your utility company's power is affected for whatever reason. It's not unheard of, that over time, you may get to the point where you can let go of your utility company. No doubt making solar panels means taking in the ultimate green energy resource since the sun is likely to stay shining for many years more to come.

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