Can I build my own Solar Panels?

It would be safe to assume that more and more people everyday are considering installing some sort of solar energy system to save money, and more importantly to become self sufficient. There are still those individuals who cannot grasp the idea of going off the grid and becoming independent of the power companies, whether it be out of fear or plain ignorance – but the fact of the matter is that utilizing free energy from sources like the sun is not all that complicated, and information, products and services relating to renewable energy are more available today than they’ve ever been.

Building your own solar panel set up would not only provide you with the experience needed for future off grid projects, but it could also be an interesting and fun thing to get the kids involved in. If you know how to use a few common power tools than you should have no problem building your own solar panels to power your home.

Solar Power Basics

Lets make it clear that using solar power to generate electricity is not the same as using solar energy to produce heat, and there are two primary principles which separate the two – solar thermal, and photovoltaic. Solar thermal principles relate to the application of solar energy to produce hot fluids and air, while photovoltaic principles are applied strictly when producing electricity.

A solar panel, or PV panel as they are widely known, is made of silicon – a natural element that is electrically charged when exposed to sunlight. The positioning of solar panels are dictated by the latitude and geographic location of where they are designated to be installed. The angle of the PV panels are set within 15 degrees plus or minus the site latitude depending on obvious factors such as weather and seasonal effects. The total amount of solar energy in a given time period is measured in Peak Sun Hours, or m². Here’s a Global Map of Solar Power for checking your Peak Sun Hours based on location provided by Solar4Power.com.

Building Solar Panels From Scratch

Building your cells from scratch is extremely cost-effective, yet labor intensive. To start things off, you need to buy raw copper sheeting which is readily available at your local home hardware store – try asking for copper flashing. This sheeting needs to be heated, so make sure you ask for a suitable heating source while you’re there. The copper itself needs to be heated for approximately 30 minutes depending on your heating source, or long enough for the chemical reaction to occur which causes copper oxide to form on the sheet’s surface.

After the copper has cooled down it needs to be combined with an equal sized non-oxidized sheet with a salt water solution, then placed within a shatterproof glass panel. After this phase is completed, you will need to add the necessary wiring and mounting fixtures – the end result giving you a low-voltage solar panel. To generate enough electricity to power common household items you will need several of these low-voltage panels. Before you start researching more and head over to Home Depot to start buying materials be sure to consult your local building codes to ensure you are permitted to build your own, without the need for a licenced installer.

DIY Solar Panel Kits

It’s amazing how many high quality products and services are available on the market that provide you with the tools and skills to make the Off Grid transition. Take a minute to stop by our Resources page where you can find some more information on the top renewable energy products. Most “do it yourself” solar panel kits are readily available in your city and on the Internet, and come with the solar cells, hardware, mounting fixtures and ample guides to get you started – many of them with multiple DVD’s and documentation.

Once again, before you start be sure to consult your local building codes to determine whether you need a permit and, or an installer to begin your solar panel adventures!