Where to Find Solar Cells To Build a Solar Panel
How many cells you need will depend on the size of solar panel you are going to build. If you don’t want to pay full price for your solar cells you can try a local company who repairs solar equipment or try eBay. There are many companies who use solar cells to power road signs, their signs suffer from wear and tear and are chucked in the skip. The good news is that the solar cells work fine and just need a bit of TLC.
Strong Plywood
The frame of your solar panel is made from this sheet of plywood. When selecting your plywood, pick the flattest boards as will make life a lot easier. We will be treating the plywood later to make sure it doesn’t rot when left outside to the elements.
Soft or Preferably Hard Wood
If you get a piece of 2″x1″ and cut a rebate this will make a good frame to keep the flexible-glass in place. Hardwood is best but whatever wood you get , we will protect it with UV paint.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Solder Tabbing Wire
The soldering or tabbing wire, connects the solar cells together either in series or parallel and caries the current to the copper wire. Tabbing wire is made from tin, it is very plyable and has a low melting point.
Silicone Gun
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. It is also used to hold the solar cells in place.
Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The solar cells produce the current, and this current is then carried from the solar panel to your home and connecting to the inverter or batteries depending on which system you have employed. Should the tin tabbing wire not stay in place, the solder can be applied to stick it back down again.
Flux
A flux pen is used to assist the tabbing wire to stick to the solar cells. You run the pen over the area where you want the wire to be assembled and then with the aid of a soldering iron, the tabbing wire is secured in position.
UV Protector
To give your solar panel assembly as longer life as possible, it is recommended that the frame which holds the flexible-glass in place and the plywood be given a coating of UV protection.
Volt Meter
To check the output of each solar cell you connect the volt meter to it and then position the solar cell directly in the sun. The output increases as you add more solar cells.
If you require a more detailed explanation on how to build a solar panel, visit How to Build a Solar Panel on a Tight Budget.
