How To Make Solar System

All the electronics in our world were made to make our lives easier and more convenient. However, all the free energy we consume keeping them charged and operated can be expensive. That's why we've compiled a DIY solar panel tutorial and so you lot tin acquire how to make solar panels for your pocket-size electronics.

How to Make Solar Panels for Your Small Electronics

Follow the instructions below to make homemade solar panels suitable for small electronics.

Materials and Tools

36 x 36 mono-crystalline solar cells
2 pcs of 21 3/4 inches plywood at 3/8 inch thick plywood
4 pcs 21 iii/iv inches pieces of wood for edges at 3/4 Ten 3/4 thick
three pcs 20 iii/4 inches pieces of wood
Screws and power drill
Glue
Paint
Wires
Blocking diode (Schottky diode with a three.3 Amp current rating)
1 2-pin Jones plug
Silicone caulk
Plexiglas
Ability Consumption Meter

Step 1. Purchase solar cells

It volition take near 36 mono-crystalline solar cells wired in series to make a console. Each cell will produce about ane/2 Volt. Thus, a 36 solar jail cell serial would produce 18 volts.

When purchasing solar cells, have note of little metal tabs on them. You lot want cells with tabs on them considering this will cut back the amount of soldering you lot have to practise.

Purchase a couple of actress cells especially if this is your first time to make a solar cell panel. You might break or ruin a few during construction.

Step ii. Build the solar panel template and get together the frame

Build a shallow box so that the sides won't shade the the solar cells when the sun comes at an angle from the sides. Glue and spiral the pieces of wood together. Follow the image to a higher place for the the overall structure of the solar panel.

The side pieces are three/4 by 3/iv thick and go all the way around the edges of the plywood substrate. Also, a slice goes across the center to split the panel into 2 sub-panels.

Drill holes at the bottom of the console frame to proceed the air force per unit area within the console equalized with the outside, and to permit moisture escape. A 1/iv inch diameter is recommended.

Step three. Paint the frame

Pain the entire panel frame white to reduce the the temperature of the wood. Pigment volition likewise protect them from wet and the weather condition. Give your panel several coats of white or light colored pigment.

Step iv. Gear up the solar cells

If you're buying solar cells from someone who dips them in wax, here's ane way to effectively remove the wax from the solar cells.

In a stove peak, prepare three pots of water beneath humid signal – one with soap, the other two with but plain water. Melt the bricks apart in the hot h2o bathroom, then transfer them 1 at a time to he soapy water bath and finally, rinse the jail cell in the concluding pot of hot make clean water.

Don't let the water boil in whatever of the pans or the bubbles volition jostle the cells against each other. Too, change the water frequently in the soapy and rinse h2o baths.

Step 5. Join the solar cells together

All eighteen cells on each one-half panel need to be soldered together in series. Employ a very light touch with the soldering fe. The cells are sparse and frail and intermission easily. Pushing too hard volition interruption the cells.

Get-go out by drawing a filigree pattern on each of the two pieces of pegboard. Then, lay out the cells on that grid blueprint upside-down and solder them together. Make a line of 6 cells soldered together.

Step 6. Glue down solar cells

Identify a a small blob of articulate silicone caulk in the center of each cell in a six cell string. Then, flip the string over and prepare in place on the pencil line grid y'all laid out earlier. Press lightly in the middle of each cell to go it to stick to the pegboard panel. Don't use too much glue, and don't glue the cells anywhere but at their centers.

Stride vii. Connect the strings of solar cells and perform a exam on the first half of solar prison cell panel

Interconnect the outset and 2nd strings of cells. You can use solar cell tabbing material, a copper braid, or even regular wire. Anchor the braid with silicone caulk to prevent information technology from flopping around.

Lay downward your beginning half of solar panel nether the sun and test if it works.

Go along with the second one-half of the panel following the aforementioned steps.

Step 8. Install the panels in the frame

Use iv small screws to anchor each of the half panels in place.

Footstep 9. Interconnect the two half panes within the frame

Once the two panels are completed, connect the two panels together. Slip the wires through the vent holes in the central divider. Use silicone caulk to ballast the wire in place.

Step 10. Install the blocking diode

A blocking diode is needed to prevent the panel from discharging your batteries at nighttime or during cloudy weather. Mount the diode within the panel since the forward voltage drop gets lower equally the temperature rises. The within of the panel will be warmer and the diode will work more efficiently

Step 11. Run the wires exterior and place the Plexiglas comprehend

Drill a pigsty in the back of the panel near the elevation for the wires to exit. Anchor the wires with silicone caulk for stability.

Before screwing the Plexiglas covers in place, make certain that all the silicone caulk has cured well and good.

Step 12. Insert the plug

Add together the 2-pivot Jones plug at the end of the panel wires.

Step thirteen. Test the completed panel

That'southward all, fellow homesteaders! Did you enjoy our DIY solar panel tutorial? Let u.s.a. know in the comments department below what troubles you lot had or what you did differently when making your homemade solar panels. Do you lot have a favorite alternative energy that's a staple on your homestead? Share it with us and we'll requite information technology a shot. Nosotros dearest doing DIY homesteading projects and becoming more than self-reliant by learning more about how everything works effectually the homestead. That's why Homesteading was created. We want all folks looking to pb a self-sufficient life, either on a homestead or in an urban environment, to come together and learn from each other! Of form, we welcome your assist in creating a community of homesteaders. Come and share your homesteading tips and ideas, recipes and expect the best advice on cocky-reliance and homesteading trials from our team of long-time homesteaders, self-reliant wilderness, and preparedness experts. Want to write for Homesteading? Shoot us an due east mail and make sure to stay in impact on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

This post is an adaptation of 'Build a 60 Watt Solar Panel' from instructables. Read original post hither.