With the diminishing natural resources and the vast amounts of green house gases being pumped into our atmosphere, many people are now looking for alternative energy sources to power their homes. Renewable energy solutions such as solar power have now become a popular alternative to traditional planet polluting resources. The energy that solar power generates is free and unlimited.
Below is a general guide on building your own solar panels:
1. Make sure your home receives an unobstructed view of the sun. The amount of sun the solar panel captures will depend on a clear path. Maximum sunlight will mean maximum electricity being generated.
2. Acquire the material that you will use to mount the solar panel. Although you could use OSB materials, plywood is much stronger and durable for bad weather conditions. You will also need a soldering gun, pair of gloves, and goggles, as you will have to attach solar cells together, if you are installing more than one solar panel.
3. Purchase a solar panel that is between 12 volts and 16 volts. The price for one solar panel is around $100.00. Then, purchase a rechargeable battery. A 12 volt lead or acid battery is recommended. A deep cell battery is the type you should acquire because it is long lasting.
4. You will now need a DC meter that is equivalent to the voltage of your battery. You will also need a DC input. These items convert the energy from the solar panel which then powers the home.
5. Now it is time to install the solar panel and devices. Use a drill to install the DC input and meter to the top part of the battery box. You will then connect the meter to the battery using insulated wire. Connect the first wire to the negative input first and then use the same method to attach the DC input and the solar panel to the battery.
6. Attach the solar panel onto the plywood and attach it to the home. Wait 8 – 12 hours, and then it is ready to start converting the sun’s energy to sustainable energy.
Solar panel kits are a very good choice for installing your own solar panels. These kits come with everything you need to build your solar panel and are easy to install. There are many companies that now sell these kits. When you build your own solar panels, you are not only contributing to the planet, but you are also saving a lot of money on your power and heating bills.
